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Here are a few comments from our guests in 2003

Name Address Comment
Manfred, Stefania, Mathnas, Christian Rothen Griesheim, near Frankfurt, Germany It's our first step from 3 weeks holidays in Ireland. We stay the first time in Ireland. We have really enjoyed our time in this excellent cottage. The design & comfort is very well. Thank you John for your warm welcome & good tips about this area, walks & locations. The weather was good daily, 1/2 day was rain. On 3 evenings we sitting in the front of cottages & enjoy the sun. Best Wishes to you John & good luck for the renovation of the 3rd cottage. We will look for it in any time via internet.
Marsha O'Sullivan W.Stockbridge, Massachusetts, USA The Spring flowers, mountain views, frolicking lambs, made a very peaceful setting. Everyone should go to Irish Night at 'The Dying Cow' .. what a unique delight! The only thing which could top what I've already expressed, would be the open warmth of John & Mary. Thank you so much for a wonder filled week here in heaven! Also: A special goodbye to Sailor and Shep! Woof ..Woof
Mara & Andy Ponder, Andrea Connolly Wolverhampton, Midlands. UK Had a wonderful time here at Johns Barn, came over to visit our father & the Barn was a great base. John & Mary were very hospitable & welcoming. Had a great day in Dublin, did the tour of The Old Jameson distillery, then hopped on tour bus, great way to see Dublin if short of time. Avoca was lovely! Had a great meal at Ballykeely House, would recommend it to all. John will be able to direct you there. He's a fountain of Knowledge! Don't forget to cook extra bacon & sausage for Shep & Sailor, our little friends! Thanks to John for making us very welcome. Good luck with the rest of your project. Many Thanks.
Kit, Annette, Hannah & Aine Congresbury, Bristol. UK Thank you John for all your help and advice on what's on & where to go. We have really enjoyed staying in the Loft, everything we needed was here. The area is very beautiful & peaceful. We had a great walk one evening up on the hill behind the farm. We have had a packed week here including riding at Broomfield Riding School which the girls & ourselves really enjoyed. We have had some great days exploring the Wicklow mountains. We had a great meal at The Chantry Restaurant at Bunclody & Madalienes in Tinahely.
Beverley, Mick Pope West Sussex We came to Ireland not quite knowing what to expect, we leave it not wanting to go! The weather has been very hot and sometimes wet (1 day), we've sat outside little cafe's in quaint villages mixing with the natives. We've walked the mountains & glens, all so very beautiful. By going on the back lanes you see a lot more, waiting behind sheep while they decide which side of the road to go. So many types of birds, & flowers, no street lights at night, heaven, but above all, quiet. All the quiet. Thanks John for making it all possible. See you again!
Sean & Amy Secrest (Dunning) Denver, Colorado. USA We spent our honeymoon in John's Barn & what a beautiful job he did with his property! The sunshine behind the Barn is gorgeous & worth an early rise. As is the sounds of early morning perfect views! Everything we ever dreamed, of what Ireland has to show, is surrounding John's land! Breakfast at Madalienes in Tinahely was great! Shep & Sailor are wonderful dogs & will greet you each time you leave the house. Just as you enter New Ross, is a Tower Castle ruin which you may enter. Wonderful, all of it! Most of all, Irelands people are wonderful. Thank you John for a perfect setting for our Honeymoon!
Ken & Debbie Bristol Dear John & Mary, Thank you so much for a lovely week. This was our first holiday in Ireland (definitely not our last) and your help & hospitality was so appreciated. We have enjoyed every part of this holiday from the minute we stepped through the door & will take home plenty of memories. The wonderful Glendalough, & our day at Kilkenny were just 2 that spring to mind but there were so many more. Our evening at 'The Dying Cow' with yourselves was an experience not to miss. Good Luck with your projects here, if they all turn out like our accommodation, I'm sure there will be no complaints. I would recommend Minmore, Shillelagh & Ireland in general to anyone. Thanks Again. P.S. Happy Birthday! 14/9/03
Peter, Margaret & Christopher Hay Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, Scotland. We have had a superb time & the weather has been marvellous. The Barn is perfect for a holiday home. What a job John has done - 10 out of 10. This is a great place to base yourselves for some trips. We Would recommend going to Waterford with a visit to The Crystal Factory. Also try to see Dublin is really worthwhile (don't forget to visit The Guinness Factory) TIP: Drive to Greystones or Bray, leave the car, then take the train to Dublin. Even just driving round this area is beautiful. So Thanks John for all your help & knowledge, and nice to meet you Mary - All the best to you both. Christopher will miss the dogs. We will return and next time a longer break.
Brenda & Steve Durrant, Clayhall, Essex If you want peace & quiet then this is definitely the place to come. The Loft is very comfortable with great views & John has made us most welcome since we arrived here to celebrate our first anniversary. If you are planning to visit Dublin then certainly take Johns advice & let the train take the strain from Greystones. It is only €5.90 return per person. The scenery along the coast are lovely. If you want something a little more special then take a trip to Mount Wolseley at Tullow for a fabulous 3 course meal with coffee for €35 pp. Or The Chantry Restaurant at Bunclody which we are booked into for our last night tonight. Finally if you want to experience real bit of Irish, try stopping your car down the lane & watch it ROLL UP HILL!! No you can't blame the Guinness - Ask John for further details. P.S The Chantry Restaurant was lovely with plenty of room to sit in the garden overlooking the River Slaney. Great food & plenty of it! Take Care John & Good Luck in your next project.
Adriane Fleming Dublin Being in Shillelagh reminded me of a poem -
'Lying in the field
by night making new
constellations of old stars'
It being December we didn't lie in any fields but we stared at the most wonderful stars nightly, trying to find some familiar form up there - those that are now unfamiliar because of obliteration by Dublin's city lights.
Katie O'Brien, Alex Fleming Dublin Thank you John and Mary. I had a wonderful time. I love it here. 10/10.
Katie O'Brien age 13
John & Mary were very kind people. Shep & Sailor were very cute dogs and I think John was a very generous man. I think you would agree.
Love Alex Fleming age 8

Here are a few comments from our guests in 2002

Name Address Comment
Ann & Roger Furness

Carol & John Lincoln

  Norfolk We have had a superb holiday. The accommodation was first class as was the friendliness of our hosts John & Mary. Should we decide to tour this part of Ireland again, we will certainly return here. In the meantime we will have no hesitation in making recommendations to our friends. John & Mary Thank you.
Alice, Nik & Arthur Margolis   We have really enjoyed our time here. The cottage has been very comfortable and has exceeded our expectations. John & Mary have made us feel very welcome and have been particularly helpful about which roads to take!
Kevin & Ann  Andover Had the most fantastic, restful holiday. The cottage was fantastic and exceeded all our expectations. The beautiful surroundings and every where surpassed only by the warmth and friendliness of our hosts. We definitely be coming back. Thank You!
Shay & Ann Fay

Noel & Majella Biddulph

  Dublin Very friendly and family orientated holiday. The accommodation was second to none. John you have done a wonderful job. Will be back very soon.
Keith & Jayne, Lybo (golden retriever) Worcestershire Excellent accommodation in a beautiful setting. Lybo loved the fields and gardens. John you have made us feel most welcome and if ever we are back in this part of Ireland, we will be sure to stay here. Woof Woof.
Phil & Dorothy Welch

Christine & Rick Shaw

  Cheshire  We've all had a wonderful holiday and the accommodation couldn't have been better. We hope to be back in the near future. Best of luck with the rest of your projects John and thank you for your friendliness and making us feel most welcome.
Hughes Family: Mark, Liz & Danielle   Excellent standard of accommodation. Play field and adjacent fields perfect for dog and daughter. Environment very safe. Would definitely recommend this to others. Thanks to Donal and Benny for their invaluable assistance and friendship.
Jacqueline McDowell

Eva McDowell

 Edinburgh

Oxfordshire

 A wonderful and peaceful holiday in the most charming of settings. The cottages have been designed with every comfort in mind and finished to a very high standard. John's friendliness and willingness to help also made our holiday.
Jenny Shiels Edinburgh Fantastic accommodation and as warm as the welcome from John & Mary. A beautiful area and a lovely peaceful place which we highly recommend to friends and family. We hope we'll be back before too long. Thanks to both for making our first visit to the Irish countryside so memorable.
Katy Hindmarsh Edinburgh Beautiful countryside, interesting weather and Mary & John were kind and hospitable. A fabulous holiday and Mary's apple pie was great.
Marie Hindmarsh Edinburgh What more is there to say? Everybody else has said it already. We had a great holiday and hope to be back. Thanks a lot John & Mary.
Ray James, Anna & Sue Greece/Malta This is the most beautiful holiday I had in my life. The cottage was very clean and warm, everything you need is there, you will not miss home. The hospitality of John & Mary is something you can't imagine, his friendship is the warmth and most welcome. The countryside is like paradise, it is like for a short time you're in heaven. I strongly advise people to come to this place, because you will not regret it. Thank you John & Mary.
Helen Dacre, Hugh Mortimer, Andrew Hornby & Jennifer Fairhurst. Manchester Thank you John for a wonderful time. Your hospitality has been extremely generous. The cottage is lovely, you have done a fantastic job. Best wishes to yourself and Mary for 2003.