New Arrivals
The Summer season has brought a host of new arrivals to Croan. July, our Large black sow has produced some adorable piglets. Eunice and Shauna, our ewes, each had twin lambs and we ‘adopted’ four more orphans from a neighbouring sheep farmer. All are thriving, particularly the youngest and weakest who seemed to be a survival long shot. We’ve named him ‘Obama’ as he is the only black ram in the flock and his first hundred days in office are going pretty well!
We’ve also added to our brood of hens to ensure a regular supply of freshly laid eggs for our guests. They’re beginning to integrate with the others and it’s interesting to watch the phrase ‘pecking order’ being put into practice!
Fresh Produce for Guests – Straight from the Garden
As the weather improves and the ground warms, we’re busily planting up our walled vegetable garden for the coming season. We hope to be able to provide fresh produce for guests in our Self Catering cottage this summer and Autumn. Our potatoes are doing well and the artichokes, courgettes and lettuces have all been planted out. The space that they’ve vacated in the greenhouse has been filled with tomato plants so we’re hoping for a bumper crop to share with guests later in the Summer.
Now is also an ideal time to brew up some nettle beer. It’s a surprising taste, refreshing and slightly herby, that’s complemented well with a slice or two of lime. It’s very easy and quick to make and ferment. Try this at home with about 100 well washed nettle stalks and you could be drinking your own brew in about 3 weeks. Visit our website for details of the recipe.
Champion Tree?
We’re excited to learn that our oldest cherry blossom tree, among the magnificent lime trees that line our driveway, may in fact be the largest and/or oldest in the country. Preliminary investigations suggest that it’s an important tree, probably planted in the 1740’s – that makes it about 270 years old. The Tree Council of Ireland are making arrangements to examine the tree and hopefully to award it ‘champion’ or ‘specimen’ status. We’ll post update on our website as they become available.
Updated Visitor Guides in All of Our Cottages
Now more than ever people want good value! With this in mind we have updated the information folders we provide in each cottage to include a range of new activities and itineraries. We offer suggestions for families, for rainy days and have highlighted a range of things to do in the local area that won’t cost you a penny.
In addition, Kilkenny celebrates the 400th anniversary of the issue of its city charter this year and there’s a huge range of free events organised for the whole year, from art exhibitions, street theatre, family fun days, and concerts.
There really is something for everyone in Ireland’s sunny Southeast and most weekends there’s a local festival to look forward to. In addition to our more famous festivals such as the Cat Laughs International Comedy festival there’s also Ireland’s premier Arts festival in August, Kilkenny’s Celtic Festival in Autumn and Savour Kilkenny Food festival in October.
Of course, there are so many annual local festivals in our region, such as Inistioge Summer Festival, The Thomastown music festival, the Graiguenamanagh Regatta, and of course, the Dunamaggan Gymkhana that are free to all. Full details are available in our folders and on our website.
Discounts for returning guests
For bookings made in Summer 2009, we are offering a 10% discount for returning guests. So if you have stayed with us before, you can avail of further reductions on a return visit!
Simply mention that you stayed with us in the past and we will apply the discount at the time of booking.
Self Catering Holidays – Special Offers
We have very limited availability for Summer 2009 in our Self Catering Cottages in Kilkenny. The few cottage stays that are remaining are being offered at greatly reduced prices – for a limited time!
Special Offers include:
1 week in July or August from just 495 Euro!
Details of the special offers available are on our website at www.CroanCottages.com
Book Online
You can now check availability and book online on our website at www.CroanCottages.com/book.htm or click here
Check them out now!
