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VALENTINE’S DAY IS just around the corner (two weeks, ladies and gentlemen).
If it falls to you rather than your significant other to arrange some kind of ‘surprise’ weekend away this year, you could do a lot worse than dropping by Airbnb for a look at what’s on offer.
We’ve been doing some of the hard work for you…
The site has hundreds of apartments, houses — and even castles — listed around the country.
For this selection, we’ve picked out what’s on offer between Friday 13 February and the following Monday this year. We’ve set €100 per night as our starting point (not on any scientific basis, it just seemed reasonable) and we’ve picked the ‘entire place’ option (as opposed to, for instance, the ‘shared room’ one — for reasons that should be apparent to all).
There’s a pretty wide scope on offer … although you might have to make friends with a few other couples (alright, a few dozen other couples) to afford some of the more top-end locations.
Check them out…
Location: Cork, around 10 minutes drive from Midleton.
Price for the weekend: €516
What they say:
Converted barn on working farm. Large 6 acre vista on coastal setting with panoramic sea views. Quiet beaches a stones throw. Property sits in a secluded location with plants and trees teeming the surrounding.
Location: Just outside Westport.
Price for the weekend: €463
What they say:
The house boasts of large, sunlit rooms and ample space alongside unsurpassed views of Croagh Patrick and the open moorland beyond the house.
Location: The Ring of Kerry
Price for the weekend: €475
What they say:
A lovely newbuilt house in a gorgeous location. Mountains all around and big south facing conservatory and garden.
Location: In Gort, Co Galway.
Price for the weekend: €504
What they say:
Nestled in a courtyard on a private castle estate. Henry’s cottage offers a step outside the norm.
Location: Donacarney, in Meath.
Price for the weekend: €859
What they say:
Dating back 300 years, Apple Loft Cottage is an exclusive thatched holiday cottage nestled on Bettystown’s beachfront.
Location: Dalkey, south Dublin.
Price for the weekend: €1,509
What they say:
A stunning 1804 coastal defense Tower, a National Monument, exquisitely restored as a luxurious residence. The beautiful granite structure is harmonious, peaceful and an extremely comfortable place to stay overlooking the sea in the heart of Dalkey.
Location: Co Carlow
Price for the weekend: €3,198
What they say:
From grandiose chandeliers to 9 staircases and 8 split levels, this property will draw the interest of anyone who has a penchant for dazzling style, exceptional antiques and impressive structural design.
Location: Bushy Park Road, in the south Dublin suburb.
Price for the weekend: €2,783
What they say:
No 10 Bushy Park Road is a classical Edwardian residence set within a secure gated garden with parking for up to 5 cars. The house was built in 1903 and retains its period detail. This property was completely refurbished in 2008.
Location: 8km south of Kilkenny city.
Price for the weekend: €2,256
What they say:
The castle has been restored to its former authentic glory using the same techniques and materials as the original 16th century builders. The rooms are larger and the stairs wider than in most of the known square towerhouses. Modern comforts have been incorporated without detracting from the charm and simple grandeur of this ancient dwelling.
What the f@ck is going on with the judicial system in this country??
No idea but the article is about Bangor, Co. Down where a different judicial system is in operation.
True enough but still a joke.
Look at how long it took them to pass legislation on “online grooming”. It’s difficult to criminalise behaviour that’s indicative of future crimes without the actual commission of the crime, total legal quagmire.
The simple fact he was detained and only released under bail conditions for vaguely defined “suspicious approaches” is a result of expanded child protection laws, of which the North has more stringent ones than we do.
I’d like to know what the charges would be if prosecution went ahead. Also, what are the bail conditions? Hopefully stringent enough so he can be charged if and/or when he breaks them, and it’s not a matter of waiting for him to commit a more easily prosecutable crime.
Honestly. I’m starting to suspect pedophile judges.
Our judicial system is as bad if not worse
Ffs. ..another one loose again
Nutcracker the only job for that animal
Hopefully his file rather than been passed to the courts office makes its way in a brown envelope out the back door and to a group of lads that will have a chat with him that involves a coal bag full of chimney cleaning rods,
Coming out of chimney sweeping season! Another career could be better
A year or so ago, there was an alert about a strange man approaching children outside our local school.
When the panic and lynch mob calmed down, it transpired the man had learning difficulties and was simply lonely and could relate to children more than adults.
It is right that we are all vigilant and that we get police to investigate matters, but let’s slow down with the fire torches and pitchforks and let our justice system deal with it calmly
Once upon a long ago, a certain loyalist paramilitary group, well known for being strongly connected to certain child abusers, ran the Kilcooley estate.
Must still be in charge.
He’s released on bail with severe conditions I presume.Its incredible.
That’s good thinking wait until he assaults or kills some child then arrest him . I will never understand the system
His mind set he is going to be locked up anyway with this in mind he could strike again with terrible consequences for some family . Very risky to release him.
That’s sounds about right
have your say