PaintAway Hideaways

[Sally Downey]

A little group of us PEBV painters have gone on several PaintAways now and can recommend the practice to others. Last year we went to Leenane, Co.Galway and to Carna in Connemara.  We also attended AITO in Virginia - two/three nights each time and stayed together in the same hotel. So far this year we have been to Ballinamore in Leitrim.  We have managed to get great deals with the hotels - B&B+D each night, single rooms, and none more than E65 per night some a lot less.

Last week we stayed in Riversdale Farm Guesthouse near Ballinamore.  It is an ideal location for a group of painters.   The accommodation was very comfortable and the food was genuine home cooking and fantastic.  As it turned out we didn't need it but a room would have been available in case of inclement weather.

The very friendly hosts also operate a marina/boatyard.  Everywhere you looked there was subject matter waiting to be painted.

And Pat the Painter sold a painting- covered his costs!

Apart from a trip to town for a pint or two to alleviate the effects of wall to wall painting we had no need to leave the premises.

P.S we were still good friends when we returned home.

Any suggestions for other locations with good accommodation around the country?