Slieve Gullion Cottages

The village is less than a minute away on foot, with a shop, takeaway and pub. We stayed in a cosy cottage on a winter night with snow, which added to the experience. The hot tub at each property was excellent, and there was a stove, a TV with access to all UK streaming and good wifi. It’s very convenient, just five minutes off A1. I also don’t think the photos do justice to the scenery or the accommodation’s unique character. The only downside is that self catering isn’t very practical if that’s your reason for staying, though this is flagged fairly clearly.

There was a hob but no pots or pans, no tea towels for drying dishes, and no bin bags. The bedroom was dirty, with thick dust across the floor, cigarette burns on the sofa and broken ornaments around the room. In the morning we saw a mouse run across the floor and into the bathroom. We complained and tried to tell the owners, but they didn’t want to know. They were very rude and ill-mannered, and I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. We’d been told before arrival that the fire would be ready for us to light, but there was nothing for lighting it or for the coal. After we phoned, they sorted that out.

We spent three nights at the motorhome Aire site near Newry, which was an ideal location. It had EHU, fresh water, and black and grey waste facilities. There’s a bar and restaurant, takeaway and shop just a minute’s walk away.

We booked the cottage to celebrate my new job, and it wasn’t cheap, but we thought it’d be nicer than a hotel. On arrival, the fire had old ashes in it and there was nothing to light it with. They sorted that after we called, and we appreciated it. The sleeping area upstairs was dusty and dirty, and basic things were missing, including a hair dryer, pots and pans, a drying cloth for dishes, milk for tea and a bin in the bathroom. I heard scurrying during the night and couldn’t sleep. At breakfast I saw a mouse run into the bathroom. I know it’s beside a field and sometimes these things can’t be helped, but it wasn’t a nice part of our night away. We told the owners and got no response at all. With the lack of communication, we won’t be back.