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THE CROWS’ HERMITAGE in Ardcath, in County Meath, is exactly how you’d hope a holiday cottage might feel: quaint, cosy, and surprisingly spacious inside despite its diminutive size.
Anyways, what it lacks in square footage, Crows’ Hermitage makes up for charm, history and a dose of romance.
Owner Colm Matthews explained that the restored old stone barn was built in the 17th century and was originally used “to house a few cows at one end. The other end was a henhouse with laying boxes built into the thick stone walls.” Those stone laying boxes remain today, used to house firewood and books rather than chickens.
When Matthews bought the property forty years ago, it was in such a state of disrepair that he only used it for storing firewood. But in the interest of preserving local heritage, Matthews decided to restore the old stone barn, transforming the building from one with an old earthen floor to a cosy spot worthy of a wedding proposal.
Matthews reports that the renovation was extensive, and intentionally used old materials and architectural salvage in order to complement the age of the building. He designed the renovation, a builder friend carried out the work, and an architect oversaw the quality and ensured that it met local building laws and fire regulations.
The renovation of the barn was completed in 2008 and the cottage has seen quite a few visitors since then, with guests from 11 different countries staying last year alone. And it seems to be a popular spot for guests with a hint of romance:
This is a really romantic location — so much so that we have had more than ten honeymooning couples stay here and even two proposals (successful ones!)
Just a 50-minute drive from Dublin, the Crows’ Hermitage makes for a perfect weekend getaway. A car is recommended, to get yourself out and about exploring the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, or those other sites you haven’t thought about since secondary school, but you’ll only be a three-minute walk to the local pub, where you can partake of the traditional Irish music scene every Thursday night.
You needn’t even bring your own instrument, as one might be foisted upon you whether you’ve prepared your party piece or not!
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Good dog!!
@shellakybooky: Should have set the dogs on him full stop……he might think twice doing it again when he sees half his legs are gone…..
@shellakybooky: The gardai have confirmed that he is indeed a good boy, yes he is, yes he is.
@shellakybooky: give that dog a bone
Probably 150 previous convictions and get off with a warning.
@Noel Barnes: I don’t think so considering the Garda vehicle was rammed. A nice sentence to follow.
@Peter D W Clancy: 3 year sentence with 18 months suspended possibly. Our justice system is very lenient in the majority of cases.
@Cork Truck Driver: That is a much greater sentence than this old chestnut: “get off with a warning”, which is trotted out over and over again online by people for some reason or another.
Laser, henceforth known as the goodest boy, was rewarded with a steak and many belly rubs.
@Terrence Edwards: best boy
ramming a Garda squad car ,or any car deliberately should be treated as attempted murder -especially an attack on members of our national police force. well done to doggy Laser &all the guards involved in this operation. It’s over to the DPP &the courts now &hopefully they’ll do their jobs well too &get this thug off our streets but don’t anyone hold your breath. .the judge will probably recommend him for a nobel peace prize
@Dean Anderson: The getaway car was abandoned, so either it was a stolen vehicle or one of the hundreds of older, untaxed & uninsured cars left littering the cities & countryside.
Cannot understand why the motor taxation service do not pursue the registered owners of vehicles for unpaid road tax, & seize them if they are not renewed.
Then these cars would not be available for criminal use, joy riding by youths, save society a lot of grief ,law enforcement time & cost.
As for cost, the Motor Insurers Bureau also bears the cost of uninsured vehicle damages, & adds that to to policy premiums of compliant drivers.
It is a disgraceful example of poor & lazy state administration, which is content to operate on a cheque in the post culture, not bothering to run it properly.
Second time this year!
@David Carroll: lol, quality !
@David Carroll: they should really settle on a name. Poor Lazar/Laser
Hope Laser bit him on the Langer!
Someone in the area tipping off these guys on where to break in. Should be hauled in if identified. Some chance of that happening though.
@ianglen: looks like a utility worker, definite plan, in and out, only looking for 3 things.
Another valued member of a minority Irish culture.
Possibly from a horse slaughter house…..
@Thomas McMillan: Not a’tall boss.
Some dogs are great at rooting out rats
Pikey $cum at it again !??
Is he a Belgian Groenendael?
@Edmund Murphy: Garda unit says Belgian Malinois
@Edmund Murphy: yep Malinois
Turner and hooch !
Woof Woof, good doggie
Slow News Day?
@Bi88les: don’t be a miserable tw*t
@Dublinlife: I think it’s too late for that…
Gardai are looking for men in muddy clothes. Go into any pub in Cork and you’ll find loads of then
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