AROUND THE HOUSE

The house is on the upper slopes of a glen, helpfully known locally as The Glen, which rise up on three sides around it in a craggy bowl, descending to the Atlantic at St Finian's Bay less than a mile away. 

Our closest neighbours are sheep, cattle, and, of course, hares, though only hares are allowed in the garden.

It's especially pleasing that we have hares to name the house after. Every other house nearby seems to be called Skelligs View, but they are hidden from us by the same ridge that blots out the broadband. However, you only have to walk 100m up the road if you want to check if they are still there.

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This picture was taken half-way up the slope from the house (never made it to the top!) Our house is in the centre: to the left is a house that was abandoned about 40 years ago. John-Jo's yard is to the right - he visits his animals once a day. The road to Cahirsiveen, runs past the houses at the other side of The Glen.

AT THE BEACH

The Glen runs down to the sea at St Finian's Bay, 15 minutes' walk downhill from the house. A small sandy beach, about 200m wide and fringed by jagged rocks and slate cliffs, opens directly onto the Atlantic. Wind and waves boom in straight in from the ocean; it is the only surfing beach for miles. Note, there are no lifeguards.

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Since the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way, the beach has been increasingly popular with visitors, though the only amenities available were a tap and...the Skelligs Chocolate factory! However, an enterprising local is opening a surf-themed bar/restaurant called the Driftwood Cafe in Spring 2020, in a fantastic spot overlooking the beach and the Skelligs. Hopefully it will be a great success!

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BALLINSKELLIGS AND PORTMAGEE

We are between the sandy beach resort of Ballinskelligs (7km) and the fishing village of Portmagee (11km). In contrast to St Finian's Bay, Ballinskelligs beach (right) is extremely sheltered; the water is calm and shallow, and protected by lifeguards. Ballinskelligs is extremely popular with families in summer, but as the beach is over a mile long, there is room for everyone. The village's other amenities include a lively beach cafe, a gallery attached to the Cill Rialig artists' colony, and Tig Rosie's pub, the closest to the house.

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Portmagee has no beach, but it has some excellent places to eat, most notably the Bridge Bar. The drive there takes you over the pass at Coomanaspic, with staggering views in all directions, including over the Dingle Peninsula and as far as County Clare. Portmagee is also the gateway to Valentia Island.

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FURTHER AFIELD

Cahirsiveen, the local market town is 20km away. It has supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, speciality stores (butchers, fishmonger, organic) cafes, restaurants and more pubs than are probably healthy.

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Waterville (20km) is a seaside resort that owes its popularity to a historic connection with Charlie Chaplin and because Ring of Kerry coaches have to stop somewhere. However, the next 30 minutes on the Ring are absolutely spectacular, taking you to the Daniel O'Connell estate at Derrynane, which also has a great beach and some lovely walking.

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Valencia Island has some great views, including Bray Head and the Geokaun mountain, as well as a historic lighthouse and the picturesque hamlet of Knightstown, where you can take a ferry to the mainland.