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Rath Bán Farm Cottage is situated on the Carlow-Wicklow border, just outside the village of Hacketstown. Although the Wicklow Way passes through some of the family farm, the cottage is on the opposite side of Ballycumber Hill to the trail. The Host at Rath Bán, Pádraig Murphy, is happy to provide a courtesy collection for hiking guests, once it is agreed in advance.
Rath Bán Farm Cottage is best described as a traditional Irish cottage, with parts of the building dating over 150 years. The cottage was refurbished in 2017, with triple-glazed windows added and plenty of insulation. The completed work has been sensitive to the main character and charm of the cottage.
The main living room has a cosy log-fire stove which heats the radiators in the other rooms. There is a TV showing a range of satellite channels, including Sky Sports. There is also an X-Box player which can be used to either play DVDs or for gaming. There is a fold-out dining table with chairs in the living room.
There is a long galley style kitchen at the back of the house with an oil-fired range. Plates, dishes, cups and all the essentials can be found in the kitchen presses and there is a washing machine in the Utility kitchen.
There are two large double bedrooms at either end of the cottage which face out onto the courtyard to the front of the cottage. There is a large bathroom which is shared between the bedrooms.
Guests are welcome to take the 15 minute stroll around the farm to see the cows and sheep grazing in the fields. On occasion, in the late evening, wild deer can also be spotted grazing in the fields. It is possible to pay for a guided tour of the full farm which will give an in-depth appreciation for daily life on the farm.
Rath Bán Farm Cottage is rented out as a single unit on a nightly basis. It costs €45 for the first person and then €20 for each additional person, up to a maximum of 4 adults.
A courtesy pick-up service is offered to Wicklow Way Walkers, once enough advance notice is given. Pádraig can collect guests from the Church in Moyne, the entrance to Ballycumber Forest or from Tinahely village. A lift into Hacketstown to stock up on food supplies for eating at the house can also be arranged.
