Anyone enjoying a late holiday break in West Cork might like to book for one of the dinner parties held at The Barn, in Dereenatra, two miles outside Schull.
Frank and Anne open their house for groups of between four and 12 people, who reserve a day in advance. It's a no-choice menu, and recently a gang of us enjoyed a ceviche of scallops and garlic prawns with sea vegetable salad, a fine sorrel and spinach soup, then excellent monkfish provencale. There were excellent west Cork cheeses, before some pears poached in red wine. At £22.50 it is fine value, and with a good buzz in the little room, flickering candlelight and the fire blazing cosily, it was a smashing evening. You bring your own booze, which makes it an inexpensive evening. Further details from Anne or Frank on (028) 28579, call after 2 p.m.