The traditional Shepherds Huts are completely private, each with a comfy double bed and 100% cotton bed linen and attractive vintage furniture. They are equipped with central heating and lighting. Each Hut has three windows including a half door to look out onto a completely natural wooded area set beneath the Backstairs Mountains. All you will hear is the soft cooing of wood pigeons!

A short walk from the Huts less than 100 metres, along a floodlit Beech walk, will bring you to the bespoke, environmentally friendly converted Barn. The Barn dates back to 1831 and has a wet room as well as a separate bathroom with shower, bath and WC.

The main room of the Barn has a large wood burning stove with a plentiful supply of timber, a modern kitchen with induction hobs, fridge and good storage space. There is ample seating room.

Handcrafted, long, wooden tables and a well stocked Natural History library might whet your appetite to know more about this part of the world. Outside the West end of the Barn is a seating area with tables, benches and a BBQ area. The upper storey of the Barn is a great place to chill out on bean bags with lovely views towards the Blackstairs Mountains. A cozy comfortable Loft seating area is a relaxing area to read, and chill out. It also has Wifi.

There is ample safe parking for cars and bicycles.

Wifi is also available in the Barn. The Old Rectory is surrounded by well-kept grounds and woods. There is a classical Old Rose garden with a stream running through it, a wild flower meadow and a chemical free vegetable garden.

It is ideally situated between the mountains and the river Barrow. Blackstairs Ecotrails are located at the foot of Mount Leinster with many walks and attractive cycle routes. The Barrow Track, a continuous grassy tow path which you can walk or cycle on for miles and miles is five kilometres from Blackstairs Ecotrails.

For anyone interested in Birds, Butterflies or flowers this is the place to be. The Shepherds Huts, in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East are five kilometres from Borris, 35 kilometres from Kilkenny City, 48 kilometres from Waterford and 100 kilometres from Dublin.

Borris has an award winning restaurant at The Step House Hotel and several traditional pubs within a 5 kilometres radius.

Blackstairs Ecotrails has been awarded Gold standard by Ecotourism Ireland.