Meet Margaret
Outgoing, Sociable, Friendly
We live on an organic smallholding, where we attempt to be as self-sufficient as possible. Breakfast is prepared to order using produce grown here.
On a typical day...
I’m mostly at home/work from home.
When I host guests...
I’m helpful and hands on. I can show them where to go and help them get there.
Family Hobbies
Cooking, Gardening, Blogging, Reading, Music, gigs, festivals
Hosting guests since
2013
About the Homestay
- Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
We welcome you to our comfortable rural farmhouse in the heart of Ireland, close to the River Shannon. If you are looking for a stay on a farm with authentic Irish hospitality, you have found the place. With beautiful views of North Tipperary and the Silvermines Hills, our home is located on the border of three counties, Tipperary, Offaly and Galway, and is an ideal base for exploring the Midlands and West.
We try to be as self-sufficient, and sustainable, as possible. We grow a lot of our own fruit and vegetables without using any herbicides or pesticides. We feel very proud that we can produce dinner from ingredients we have grown here on our smallholding. Sometimes though we do have to subsidise it with food from other sources - but again we will shop from local producers.
Your breakfast while you stay at Oldfarm will always consist of organic home produce - our own granola, fresh eggs from our hens, sausages and bacon - all of course, subject to availability - or should we say cooperation from the animals! Homemade organic bread, scones, jams and chutneys are also included. Breakfast is served between 8 - 10 am, and is always prepared to order.
We are based in quite a rural area so we offer the option of an evening meal, at an additional cost of €30.00 per person (2 courses). As we grow most of our own food you are guaranteed quality and deliciousness! Let us know if you would like to avail of this option. We are wine drinkers and offer a small selection of wine at cost price, or if you'd prefer to bring your own that's fine too!
We can also cater for vegetarians and Alfie does some pretty stunning vegetarian pizzas among other dishes.
Many of the traditional 'must see' spots are within an hour to an hour an half from us, so can be easily combined into a day trip. Places like Kilkenny City and all it has to offer is just an hour and 15 minutes away. The Rock of Cashel is an hour and half, and the Cliffs of Moher are also an hour and a half away.
Major towns/cities close by : Galway city 60 mins, Limerick 50 mins, Dublin and Cork both 2 hours away and Athlone only 40 mins.
For walkers we are just 20 minutes drive from the Slieve Bloom Mountain Park, and 20 minutes from Portumna Forest Park and the Midlands Way. Just 10 minutes drive from Lough Derg and the River Shannon, we provide a cosy warm refuge after a day's fishing/walking.
We are just 15 minutes drive from historical Birr Castle and Gardens, Portumna Castle and Portumna Workhouse. Clonmacnoise ancient monastic site is 30 minutes away.
Unfortunately there is very limited public transport, so your own transport is essential. There is lots of safe parking space on the property.
If animals are your thing, you're in luck. We share our smallholding with a couple of dogs and a cat, hens, chickens, ducks, and rare breed pigs. You're welcome to help out, and your safety is always our primary concern.
We have a double and 2 twin rooms available.... each room has a separate bathroom. The price quoted is per person staying. On booking, we can forward a paypal invoice for completion of payment.
We also run Pig-Rearing courses as part of our business here... perhaps you would like to learn all about pig-rearing.... so do come and stay. You will find details of our courses on our business website: (website hidden)
About us: Former Dublin city dwellers, we came to North Tipperary eleven years ago. We found this lovely rural community, who welcomed us with open arms. Our home needed a lot of work when we arrived (and indeed it's still a work in progress) but we've restored and refurbished over the years. We now run our free-range pork business from home, selling our delicious pork directly to the customer. (website hidden)
We love it, and we think you will too. You can read about our life (and see some of our recipes) via our blog ayearinredwood or if you're into free-range pigs,
And just a note, this is an old house - the stairs are steep for anyone with mobility issues or those with young children.
We look forward to meeting you.
Pets
Dog, Cat
House Facilities
- Garden
- Laundry
- Patio
- Barbecue
- Parking
- Pets
- Pets Indoor
- TV
- Internet Access
- Smoke alarm
- Non Smoking
- Allow Smoking
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
We are just 15 minutes drive from historical Birr Castle and Gardens, Portumna Castle and Portumna Workhouse. Clonmacnoise ancient monastic site is 30 minutes away.
Many of the traditional 'must see' spots are within an hour to an hour an half from us, so can be easily combined into a day trip. Places like Kilkenny City and all it has to offer is just an hour and 15 minutes away. The Rock of Cashel is an hour and half, and the Cliffs of Moher are also an hour and a half away.
Major towns/cities close by : Galway city 60 mins, Limerick 50 mins, Dublin and Cork both 2 hours away and Athlone only 40 mins.
For walkers we are just 20 minutes drive from the Slieve Bloom Mountain Park, and 20 minutes from Portumna Forest Park and the Midlands Way. Just 10 minutes drive from Lough Derg and the River Shannon, we provide a cosy warm refuge after a day's fishing/walking.
Local Area Facilities
- Tennis
- Park
- Golf
- Swimming
- Library
- Museum
- Amusement Park
- Horse Stables
- Water sports
- Fishing
- Restaurant
Meals
Hosts can offer a complimentary light breakfast at their discretion. All other meals, including a full breakfast, might incur an additional cost, if offered. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Complimentary Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
Available on request at an extra cost
- Half Board
Diet Type available on request
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Coeliac
- Lactose Intolerant
- Nut Allergies
House Rules
Payment Method: Please note that we require our guests to pay 25% of the booking total to us in advance of the booking to hold your room (on top of the 15% service fee paid to Homestay.com)
Cancellation Policy: We ask our guests to give us at least 7 days’ notice for any cancellation. Any cancellation later than this will not be refunded.”
We are non-smokers, but welcome smokers to the house, provided they respect the house rule - and smoke outside on covered stoop, where you can sit back and enjoy the view of Knockshegowna and the Devil's Bit off in the distance.
Smoking is allowed outdoors only.
How do I book?
Contact the host to check their availability and ask them any questions you have about staying with them. Once the host confirms they’re available for your dates, you can complete your booking.
When do I pay?
Once a host confirms they're available, you can go ahead and pay the 15% booking fee (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings) and a 25% deposit using a choice of payments: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal. The deposit is collected in advance on behalf of the host to protect against no show or late cancellations (within 7 days of arrival). You then pay your host the balance due on arrival. The 25% deposit payment is made to the host 2 business days after your scheduled arrival date. This deposit payment will only be refunded if you cancel the booking at least 7 full days prior to arrival.
When can I share my contact details?
Host and Guest email address, phone number and home address will be exchanged in a confirmation email sent to both immediately after a booking is completed. It's against our policy for Guests and Hosts to exchange direct contact details via our messaging system.