Wow!! We have to repeat--Wow! We absolutely loved "our home" at An Maimin in Ballyferriter. Everything from booking to the too-quick end of our stay was perfect. Micheal and Sharon were terrific hosts throughout.
The house is situated in beautiful, laid-back Ballyferriter, only a couple of minutes walk to a small shop with basic essentials and the local pubs, all of which are welcoming and serve up good drinks and food. It is also a pleasant walk away from one of the stunning local beaches and a very short drive to any of the other beautiful beaches and historical, scenic attractions along Slea Head Drive. Also within a short drive are loads of walking/hiking trails and hill and cliff walks that range in difficulty from easy to more strenuous (Mount Brandon--well worth the effort). The views from the house are fantastic as are the views in almost any direction from almost any location in the area. Just stunning!
The drive to Dingle town is easy and under 15 minutes so it was easy to take in traditional music, enjoy a meal, shop for local art and crafts or stock up on groceries.
The house is immaculately maintained and clean. It is supplied with everything you need to relax, cook at home, enjoy a pint or cocktail in the lovely outdoor sitting area or snuggle up with a book in front of a peat fire in the living area. The beds are very comfortable, it is a peaceful setting and made for a perfect week of settling in and recharging after a long 2+ year hiatus from travel due to the pandemic. We felt so at home immediately.
Now, the best part: the hosts. Micheal was a great communicator from booking to check-in and quick to respond to any queries. His sister Sharon was the most welcoming, warm, charming, and gracious host while we were there. She also responded quickly to any messages. She met us there and made sure we knew all of the details about the home and how to use all of the incredible amenities. We enjoyed meeting her and were very happy to spend a bit of time with a local who gave us great tips and recommendations and shared some laughs (and who is a native Irish speaker).
We have been to Ireland many times and, in particular, to the Dingle Peninsula. Without a doubt, this was the best experience we have had with any accommodation and host. That is saying something, given the beauty of Ireland and the incredible people there. We will most definitely return as soon as we can.
Cheers,
Kim & Paul
