Rusheen Cottage, LAHINCH, COUNTY CLARE

Rated 3/50 by Speccymcspec on 2nd August 2016

"Rusheen is a modern build, in an old style- that means a lot of wood & slate, and small windows. The house is noisy if 6 people are pottering about, and the best views are from outside. The decision to have small windows is the most odd thing- the site is beautiful, with great views over the bay- bigger windows would have meant the house was a lot brighter, and we could actually see the view without going out in the rain. There is no wifi and the phone reception is poor. The house, I'm sure, is comfortable for 2, 3 or maybe even 4 people. It sleeps 6. There were 6 of us. The living area was cramped and poorly lit. We had no problems with the washing machine, and used a drying rack provided. On dry days we got drying done outside. The kitchen was adequately supplied and the dishwasher got plenty of use. We met the owners, who were friendly."

Rated 5/50 by Linda B on 26th October 2015

"Rusheen was quaint, very clean and very well equipped and maintained. We were myself, husband and daughter (aged 37). We arrived on an early flight, got our hire car from Avis, who were, by the way, were very good. The manager of the cottage was very helpful and texted us as soon as the cottage was ready, so already plus points. We all slept extremely well in the very comfortable beds. We were there to visit friends, when they came to visit it us, the kitchen dining area coped very well, plenty of plates and cutlery, with a very good chinese takeaway from the Pearl Garden. We had one very good sunny day, so we took advantage and had lunch outside, enjoying the excellent views of the bay in the distance. Garden chairs were available in the utility room, again another plus. Weather then turned, but we were very cosy. Just a couple of points, if walking back from town in the dark, you really need a torch for the last bit up the track. The living room would benefit from a lamp for better lighting. Yes we would recommend Rusheen Cottage and if available would return."

Rated 1/50 by Zebra56 on 10th October 2015

"The house was fine, save for the fact that there was not one hook nor towel rack in the entire house. Oh, wait, we did find one teeny, tiny one by the front door and a couple for hanging brooms and mops in the utility room. So, be prepared to hang your towel and hand towel around your neck, I guess. When my two sisters and I arrived we found two sets of towels (bath towel, hand towel and washcloth) and one kitchen towel and one small dish cloth. I called Ms. McMahon and asked why only two sets of towels for three people for a week. She admitted she'd forgotten there would be three people and agreed to bring another set around (because she "had to come out that way in a couple of hours"). I also mentioned that there was only one kitchen towel and cloth. She sounded incredulous when she responded, "You mean, you want more?" I said yes we did. She came round in a couple of hours with one more towel set and one more kitchen set. I asked about hair dryers. She said that in the past she would buy hair dryers and they would walk off and after she bought several and they disappeared she doesn't provide them anymore. I said, "Oh! All the guide books say don't bother bringing a hair dryer because all places furnish them. What are we going to do?" She just looked at me. So, I said, "Well, I guess we'll have to make do." She said, "Was that it, then?" Turned on her heels and headed out, pausing to say, "Have a nice time," as she shut the door. Actually, if I had realized she didn't provide wifi when I would never have rented the cottage in the first place. But, that's on me. There is a washing machine with no instructions that was had a very complicated dial (one that I suspect is totally foreign to Americans) with no instructions. Initially, we assumed it was a washer/dryer combination. It was only after we had managed to wash a couple of loads that she informed us, after several ignored emails, that it was only a washer and something about it being a sunny day. I responded, "Yes, but you have no clothesline." She said, "Take them to the laundromat." I said, "There's nothing to put wet clothes in." She said, "There are rubbish bags next to the cutlery." I said, "No, there's not." At which time she advised we could by some at the Centra Market! We then discovered that the only laundromat is 8 or 9 miles away in the next town! Not to mention the fact that we didn't come all the way to Ireland to spend a day at the laundromat. Additionally, if you decide to rent this cottage, be sure and stop at the Super Value in Ennistimon before you get to the house and load up on supplies: washing powder, rubbish bags, staples, etc., because we decided she supplies the house by not supplying the house and leaving what previous guests are forced to buy for the next guests. So, we took every thing we'd bought and gave them to the next innkeeper we met. We had a lovely time in Ireland. All the people were kind, polite, gracious, funny and so very, very mannerly. Ms. McMahon was the rudest, most ungracious, dis-likable person we encountered on the whole trip. Actually, the rudest, most ungracious, dis-likable person we'd met anywhere in a long time. I would never rent from this woman again, and it made me suspicious of Hogan's Irish Cottages in general. Rent at your own peril! Also, just an FYI, in case this was the norm, we checked with several of the Irish people we met - they were all appalled when we described her actions."

Rated 5/50 by Katimini95 on 9th May 2015