We recently returned from a stay in Galway (great town with vibrant atmosphere), where we stayed at Heron's Rest B&B on Long Walk. Long Walk is right on the riverfront through the Spanish Arch, with a resident heron (hence the name), swans and boats in full view from your bedroom window. Excellent location - cannot be beat for convenience, plus Long Walk is quiet at night, so no street noise.

I cannot say enough about the hostess, Sorcha Molloy. A charming, intelligent young woman with a background in culinary arts, she is a caterer by night and the conjurer of amazing breakfasts. Her home is a self-proclaimed "sausage free" zone where she chooses to present French toast with grilled bananas and real maple syrup, or porridge with whisky cream, or eggs with the best of ham, all preceded by fresh fruit and her muffins. Oh, her muffins.... I could write about these inventions all day long. Each day a different recipe, each day an anticipation.

Her home is unconventional for a B&B. There are only two rooms, one above the other, and is a more intimate setting than most. The beds are quite comfortable, all amenities provided including satellite TV and WiFi. The rooms are not *quite* en-suite. The bathrooms are exclusive-use, but across the hall, but again as each room is on a separate floor this is not an issue and Sorcha provides robes and flip-flops. Everything is spotlessly clean.

Breakfast is served in the main room, which is sitting area, eating area, and kitchen all in one. So again, it may ot be for eveyone as it is very intimate. But Sorcha is so charming I can't imagine NOT wanting to watch her cook for you as you have (great!) coffee, talk about the day's plans, and watch the heron and swans steps away through the window.