It's all happening at Toddy's
MEET THE FINALISTS: BEST TOURISM BUSINESS
Spurred on by a love of interior design, and a desire to turn restlessness into a passion project, Aisling Crowe bought Toddy’s cottage in Lacken in 2019.
“We didn’t know what we were going to do with the cottage,” Aisling joked. “I love doing things up, so I was in my element when we decided that we’d gut the cottage.
“In June 2020, we decided to start an Airbnb. People thought we were mad in the head, but we never looked back.”
The cottage kept the name of its previous owner, as Aisling was eager to retain that link with its heritage. Since then, Toddy’s Cottage has grown into a thriving rural tourism business, with visitors from all over coming to see what the property has to offer.
Aisling also recognised the need for additional accommodation for visitors attending events at Cavan Equestrian Centre. This inspired her to re-develop a trio of stables at the rear of the cottage, providing guests with the facilities they needed to get the most out of their stay.
But Aisling wasn’t finished yet. She then converted a barn on the premises into a wheelchair accessible studio known as Toddy’s Hideaway.
Admitting that she “just can’t settle”, Aisling had more ideas for further expansion.
“I was trying to figure out how I’d manage that, but there was a barn lying idle, so we converted it into a wellness area. It was going to be for the people staying in the cottage, but I wanted to give back to the area, so people could enjoy themselves.”
Earlier this year, she opened The Barn, which has drawn in a completely new set of clientele, and brought new people to the area. Aisling spoke glowingly of the pride she feels in having visitors come to Lacken and experience what the area has to offer.
“I’m so passionate about the whole thing, I work full-time and am married with four kids.
“Toddy’s comes first with me [in business terms], but I just love it, seeing people come from all over the world.”
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FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
Read about the other three finalists in this category by visiting the stories below.
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