It turns out we will stay just the one night, rather than the two planned at Ashley House. It was so much NOT what we expected, that we’ve decided to use the extra day to explore Galway and Connemara instead. The housekeeper turned out to be a very friendly, sweet lady who chatted about HP laptops with me as she drew the curtains and added peat to the fire to make me comfortable. She also put on one of the most amazing breakfasts we've had in Ireland! The croissants were a food group all in themselves.
The whole place really is just strange and unexpected. David and Kathy, you would’ve been completely freaked out to stay here as it is everything ghosty and creepy but you also would’ve loved the house’s potential. It has 300 year old wide plank wood floors, original antique fixtures everywhere including the pulls for the wiring that would’ve rung the servants and all the old door handles and switches and all. We would love to have a house and grounds like this if we could have all the money in the world to do a proper restoration. It is so full of potential and so NOT restored as it was described. It does really have the air of a home that has died. Oh well, it was an adventure and now we’re on to Galway!
Actually I think Masha would really like this place. I probably could see the potential of the place and find things to appreciate, but like you, would be rather disappointed that it wasn't quite what I was hoping. :)
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