The Stables

BFB's Overview.

Sweep through the big black electric gates of Decoy House and into the stables courtyard to find this smart collection of 8 holiday cottages, in the Meath Boyne Valley, just 30 minutes from Dublin.

Stable doors provide a clue to their former life but otherwise the conversion into cottages has been a complete transformation to create the most gleaming, purpose built properties that families could wish for. With 1 to 4 bedrooms, a games den, gym and TV lounge, Decoy Cottages have also been designed to be the perfect solution for extended families and friends, providing just the right balance of being able to get together without being in each other’s pockets.

All eight Decoy Cottages have been styled and furnished to top notch standards of contemporary sophistication, including light oak flooring, warm colour schemes, sleek kitchens with black granite worktops and custom made, pocket sprung beds to sink into sleep. Living rooms have wood burning stoves to snuggle into comfy sofas by a real fire and geothermal under-floor heating keeps the cottages nice and toasty for little toes.

The den is where families can come together for some R&R, comprising a play room for little ones with a giant chalk board and toys; a games room with a pool table and air hockey; a well equipped gym for grown-ups; and a relaxing lounge with sofas and a wood burner, satellite TV, DVD player, films for all ages, games and books. Double doors from the den lead to the thoughtfully landscaped and enclosed garden, featuring a gravel barbecue area and a playground with a giant swing, balance beams, swing bars, sand pit, puzzle board, giant Jenga and boules alley. The garden overlooks rolling fields and the owners’ friendly dogs, Milo and Gypsie are always ready for walkies with anyone who’s willing!

Accommodation overview

Decoy Cottages is made up of 1x1-bedroom cottage, 3x2-bedroom cottages, 3x3-bedroom cottages and 1x4-bedroom cottage. The cottages can be booked individually or exclusively for up to 40 people plus babies. Baby and toddler equipment provided includes 3 travel cots, 5 high chairs, 2 sterilisers, 2 baby monitors, 3 stairgates, a baby bath, baby bouncer, plastic crockery and cutlery. Guests have shared use of the enclosed garden, barbecue area and play area, as well as the Den’s playroom, lounge, gym and games room.

The Stables has three bedrooms and sleeps up to 6 people, plus babies. The ground floor has a light and spacious 17’6” x 11’4” living room with comfy sofa and armchairs, wood burner, satellite TV, DVD/video player and stereo. The big, 18’6” x 17’6” country style kitchen/dining room has a table seating 6 and a breakfast bar with stools, black granite worktops, double Belfast sink, electric hob and oven, microwave, fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. On the first floor, one bedroom, measuring 17’6” x 11’4”, has a double, pocket spring bed; the second, measuring 14’4” x 10’ has twin pocket spring beds that zip link into a super king-size bed; and the third bedroom, measuring 14’4” x 10’, has twin beds. The double and twin bedrooms share an ensuite with a bath and WC and the double/twin room has an ensuite shower room with WC. A separate WC is on the ground floor.

Location Information

Decoy Cottages have a best of both world’s location, just 30 minutes from Ireland’s famously hip and happening capital city of Dublin yet in the countryside of the Meath Boyne Valley which is steeped in the country’s enthralling history and heritage. The nearest shop is 3 miles from Decoy Cottages and all the amenities families need are in the town of Navan, 5 miles away. There are parks and an indoor play centre in Navan, as well as a swimming pool and a cinema.
Hundreds of years ago the Hill of Tara (5 minutes) was the seat of the ancient Kings of Ireland and the whole countryside is strewn with castles, monuments and mystical sites. The world heritage site of Newgrange (15 minutes) has spectacular megalithic tombs that are 500 years older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids, whilst Trim Castle (20 minutes) featured in the filming of Braveheart.
The historical stuff is all very well but children will possibly be more excited by Tayto Park (10 minutes), which is a theme park based around Ireland’s Tayto crisps! Besides the loveable Mr Tayto Character, attractions include the Pow Wow adventure playground and Spudhara play area for under 5’s; wild animals and a petting corner; plus a steam train, roller coaster and a 5D cinema among new highlights for 2015. There’s also a funky tour of the crisp factory which has a psychedelic vortex tunnel!

Rathbeggan Lakes (5 miles) makes another great day out for families, with bouncy castles, mini Land Rovers, playground, art barn, fairy garden, swan boats, water zorbing and more plus stocked fishing lakes for fly fishermen. Miles of sandy beaches are half and hour away at Laytown and Bettystown, and golfers have championship courses galore within easy reach including the Royal Tara.
Ireland is world famous for the craic of its lively pubs as well as creamy pints of the ‘black stuff’ and families staying at Decoy are spoilt for choice for great pub food too. The nearest, with good carvery lunches, is the Tara Na Ri at Garlow Cross (1.5 miles) and O’Briens at Johnstown (3 miles) prides itself on its award-winning food, with fish as a speciality. Mrs O's Pub has a big reputation and featured in a Guinness Christmas advert and Eden 2 at the Bellinter House Hotel is sister to the fun and quirky original Eden in Dublin’s Temple Bar.

Nearest medical services: Navan, 5 miles.
Getting there: Dublin airport is 30 minutes from Decoy Cottages and the ferry port in Dublin is 50 minutes.