Creative Retreat

A creative space for artist, writer, musician, or indeed anyone looking for a quiet working place or just time out in a welcoming home from home where you can be a total hermit or as social as you wish.

Relax, be yourself, get away from others or get together with them.

Facilities

Writing table in each room.
Wireless broadband throughout the house.
Light-filled Sunroom for visual artist.
Music room

On Arrival

You will get a great welcome on arrival from Róisín and family with tea/coffee, home-made scones and a chat if you’re looking for one – or maybe you’d just like some solid information about local amenities and activities.

Accomodation

In the Rectory itself we have two large guest bedrooms both with double and single bed. The rooms have very different styles, each looking out on a different garden. You’ll find a desk and seat and comfortable chairs and a kettle to make that much needed cup of tea. So whether you want to write, draw or play music; or to sit and dream, meditate, or just chill out, the space is there for you. Both bedrooms share a large old fashioned bathroom: the room with the best view in the house.

Workspaces

The Rectory bedrooms (in one of which there’s an open fire which we can light for you) are inspiring places in which to write, draw, compose or make music. But if you’d like to settle yourself elsewhere, then depending on who is resident at the time there are a number of possible hideaways… the sunroom, the music room, the kitchen table, the sitting room, the back porch, and if you wrap up or the weather gods co-operate, the garden has tables in different quiet spots.

If musicians are staying then the Music Room is reserved for their use.

Visual Artists may wish to use the sunroom as a work place during some time of the day. There is a door into the “boot room” in which a sink is conveniently placed for those who need access to water and cleaning up space.

The Kitchen

The big old fashioned kitchen-diningroom is the hub of the house and you will always be welcome there, whether to pass the time of day, share a hot drink from the almost always boiling kettle on the Aga or make yourself a quiet cuppa to sit with or take away.

The Gardens

For those elusive but wonderful sunny days, we have a number of different garden spaces with seating areas and tables. There are always quiet places in the garden…in the tea garden beside the house, the front garden with its picnic table and view of the approach, or you can sit by the stream and dream away the world or go to the little side garden with its swing where you’ll find the entrance to our secret back garden. Here too you will find table and chairs. The back garden is a work in progress. Any help or tips welcome! We are starting a vegetable garden and may yet have some produce for the table. The back garden was laid out in Victorian times on terraces but had become overgrown over the years due to the phenomenal growth rate of trees and shrubbery in the rain shadow of the Reek. We have cleared the encroaching “ bush” and are working on. Should you wish to use the barbecue at any time feel very welcome.

Taking a Break

Depending on the purpose and length of their stay, many visitors want to spend some time rambling around the countryside (whether by car or on foot), visiting local attractions, or taking part in some of the many leisure pursuits available in the Westport area. (click amenities). Then again, you might want to stay and work on in an uninterrupted atmosphere. If you’d like a short break in the open air, you could take a breather in the garden or stroll around the tiny graveyard that surrounds the church next door. There are a number of lovely walks on quiet country roads literally starting at our doorstep.

In the Evening

Maybe you are a night owl who does her/his best work in the evening time. Or perhaps after a long days’ labour you’d like to chill out at one of Westport’s music pubs. However if your fancy takes you to staying at home of an evening, our comfortable sitting room with its cosy log burning stove is here for you. Róisín’s family are music lovers so if you feel like playing a tune or having a bit of a session at any time, we will be only too delighted. If you haven’t brought your own guitar, fiddle or bodhrán we might just lend you one of ours.

Getting to Town

If you want to experience Westport’s vibrant nightlife we can offer you a lift into town. Taxis home are easily obtainable and inexpensive and can be organised for you. We are only 3 miles from Westport after all.

Meals

Off season Breakfast is buffet style with a choice of cereals, fruit, juices, eggs, cold meats, cheese, homemade bread, jams and marmalade – and of course tea or coffee.

During the summer months you can have the Full Works at a slightly higher charge. (See Bed & Breakfast)

Lunch normally comprises homemade soup, a variety of breads, homemade scones and salads. We use organic produce whenever possible.

Dinner consists of a simple but delicious main course (which may be meat or vegetarian) with a salad followed by desert .

Where will I eat?

All meals are served in The Old Rectory.

You can choose to take your meal in the Kitchen/diningroom, in the Sunroom or in your bedroom. The only thing we ask is that if you wish to eat in your bedroom, you take the meal upstairs yourself and bring down the tray again to us ! If you would like to eat with whomever of the family are at home you are more than welcome. We’ll let you know of family dining times and you can make your choice - simple as that.