Gavin's Irish Country Inn

We were probably the only non-Irish couple staying there, but we FELT Irish and definitely felt WELCOME. All the people visiting there interacted with each other - around the fire pit, the swimming pool, in the pub - and got to know each other as if we were all family. We had been here before, simply visiting the pub and walking around, and the impression was the same. The pub and grounds - open to the public it seems - are a family experience. Children are allowed, and dance with the adults to the always-talented bands/ vocalists playing and singing there. Yet couples can go to their own table and enjoy a private experience. Sometimes the musicians play outdoors as well. The food served in the dining room is very good, and well-portioned. A complaint is that the nightly rate includes the opportunity to engage in one of three local activities for free, and you have to pay this even if you do not intend to do these activities. On the other hand, these are really good activities, and if you do want to do them it's a good deal. It's also really neat to make friends at the Inn and then encounter them at these places. The list of daily activities given when a person checks in is sometimes unspecific ("to be announced"), and even the ones specifically mentioned may or may not happen. Giving this place the benefit of the doubt, I would venture that this is not usual, but happened because we were there during a time when there were not many people staying there. Still, if something is offered, it should take place. And specific things should be offered so people know whether or not to plan to be on grounds for it. We would have given this place a rating of four stars instead of five because of this, because if a visitor is looking for a resort-type experience that is not what they are going to get - but we gave it five because people who come here for the music or the FEEL of the place will find it everything they would wish it to be. Our impression is that activities are not what people mainly come here for. They come for the beautiful country surroundings, the relaxing, laid-back feel of the days here, and the opportunity to connect or re-connect with family and with strangers of the same ethnic background. This is not a high-class, fancy place but more of the feel of temporarily living in an actual community on a rural hillside in the Old Country. Our double bed was a size smaller than we were used to at home and was a bit creaky but comfortable. Certainly did not affect our enjoyment of our stay. The room was clean, spacious enough for our needs, had a porch looking into the central grassy area where everything goes on. ALL the buildings are built in somewhat of a circle, lending itself to a feeling of inclusion for everyone. And, unlike many hotels, where one or more sides of the building(s) are on or near a highway, the outside of the circle looks at grass and trees, at most including a small gravelly parking area or a quaint rural road. We heard a rumor while we were there - which we then verified online - that this place is on the market to be sold. We very much hope it is sold and that the new owners carry on in the same manner Gavin's always has. But in case it does not sell and goes vacant - or the new owners turn it into something different - we strongly recommend that locals come for the music and feel of the pub and that visitors - especially those planning for a family reunion - take the opportunity to experience something simple and friendly and warm.