The house, originally built in the 18th century, boasts spectacular views of the bay and the beautiful beach. Steeped in history, it would have housed the soldiers manning the watchtower on the headland. There are loads of stunning walking trails and routes by the property, the 'seven heads walk' being just one!
The house is incredibly comfortable, with beautiful mahogany sleigh beds, excellent mattresses, lovely goose down duvets and pillows, cotton sheets and large plush towels!
There are two warm and welcoming sitting rooms, stocked with board games and a fascinating selection books. The bespoke furniture has been carefully selected over time from our extensive travels, and is of the highest quality.
The conservatory dining room can seat 16 comfortably, but we have held parties of up to 20 people there.
There are two converted outbuildings as well. It is an ideal spot for large family gatherings (see property listing 42425 and 42688).
Totally committed to sustainable living and zero air-miles eating, we offer fantastic catering, using our own eggs and organically grown fruit and veg, as well 'ethical' locally sourced meat and fish. There is no comparison to food picked from the garden and served at the table within hours. No fungicide, no insecticide, no herbicide.... just delicious fresh and good for you!
The charming and secluded garden has a swing, hammock, tree house, very large barbeque . It also has a table and chairs for al fresco dining and the lawn is perfectly suited to croquet and boules.
The beach has a fantastic 'hollow', if you like surfing and we love swimming, kayaking and boogey boarding there.
The sands are washed clean by the lovely unpolluted sea every day, the air is fresh, and we get no light pollution... so you can enjoy undisturbed views of the incredible canopy of stars on night time wanders. We also get phosphorescence in the sea on particularly dark nights!
The area is steeped in fascinating Irish history, from the coastal watchtowers to the slipway leading down to the beach, which was hewn, during the famine, by 200 men using picks and sledge hammers. It took 15 years to complete! There is a beam running through the cottage which came from The Amity, a slave ship which was wrecked in the bay in the 1701. Coloured glass and elephant tusks adorned every house in the area for quite a while afterwards....until they discovered the value of the ivory!
If you would like to adventure away from the house, there is no shortage of things to do. West Cork is renowned for its artisan food and there are hundreds of fantastic restaurants nearby from Kinsale to Baltimore along the 'Wild Atlantic Way'.
We are within easy reach of many of Cork's famed golf courses such as the internationally renowned 'Old Head of Kinsale'.
If you like horses, you can go to the races or can hire ponies to trek along the beaches.
There is excellent fishing straight from the beach, or Richard can take you out in the bay in our little boat to catch some mackerel. Alternatively there is deep sea fishing available in the nearby village of Courtmacsherry.
The lovely Blarney castle is only an hour away, where you can kiss the stone and be blessed with the gift of the gab, or just wander in the beautiful grounds and have tea in the cafe.
Drombeg stone circle ( 3000 bc.) is 45 minutes away, predating Stonehenge it's well worth checking out!
For anyone with an interest in gardening, Bantry house and gardens and Garnish Island (designed by Richards great uncle) are beautifully landscaped and not to be missed.
West Cork has gained a reputation internationally for its friendly people, relaxed attitude, charming villages, fantastic restaurants, pubs, and live music venues.
For those with an interest in the history of Irelands most beloved drink, Middleton distillery (set up by Richard's grandfather) is within striking distance, where you can sample whiskey to your hearts content!