Beechwood House

The broad entrance lobby, impressive kitchen, and ample dining room, flow effortlessly into each other. Dove grey and white tones, polished concrete terrazzo floors and clean minimal lines unify these contemporary ground floor rooms into an inclusive family home.

Typical of the quirky delights in this home, a relaxing coffee area occupies a corner of the kitchen – complete with colourful cocktail chairs, but there are also stools around a central island for casual grazing.

Magnificent glass sliding doors separate the interiors from an expansive south facing terrace that overlooks the woodland and river, sucking in the sunlight.

The ample artisan dining table began life as an Ash tree in the woodlands below, and the floor boards in the sitting room similarly were fashioned from beech trees on the property. Other surplus timber ends up in one or other of the two wood-burning stoves.

The large sitting room also faces directly onto the sunny south terrace – a very magical spot for the whole family to enjoy a barbecue or something from the outdoor wood fired pizza oven.

Built to be environmentally conscious this home employs the most efficient modern technologies, with a heating system that ensures endless supply of hot water, a heat recovery unit, with vents located throughout the house, and triple glazed Doors & Windows.

A double bedroom occupies the other side of the ground floor. It is adjacent to a family bathroom – Beechwood House is wheelchair friendly.

A limed white stairway returns onto the generous first floor landing, where there is room for a relaxing seating area. Here too is the sauna – wonderful for heating up the bones after a dip in the sea or a long walk!

One bedroom sleeps three, with a double bed and a single bed, and shares a family bathroom (with bath) with a fourth twin bedroom.

There are four spacious bedrooms on this level – two have ensuite shower rooms with multi head showers.

Just a short stroll from the village, the house is accessed via a small bridge over the river and electric gates – there is ample parking inside. The 5 acre property slopes down towards the bay, a view that is concealed in the summer months by a magical woodland. From the terrace area you can meander down to the river on conveniently constructed paths, or just chill out in the gazebo. There is a Hot Tub Jacuzzi in a small garden to one side of the house.

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric oven
• 4 ring electric hob
• Fridge with ice and water dispenser
• Freezer in utility room
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Blender
• Coffee machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – One double bed, three King-size, and three singles
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen TV
• Netflix

Other

• Sauna
• Outdoor Hot Tub
• 2 Multi head showers
• Good selection of books
• Kids toys
• Children’s high chair
• 2 Wood burning stoves

• Sup a pint at Arundel’s by the Pier
• Hike along Sheep’s Head Way
• Dine in Durrus at Blair’s Cove
• Carve stones with Victor Daly
• Cross the bridge to Mizen
• Cruise with Carbery
• Dine on Good Things in Durrus
• Potter in to Dunbeacon Pottery

• Roaring Water Bay by boat
• Room with a view in Bantry House
• Enjoy a coffee at the Heron Gallery
• Feast on fish from the Kitchen
• Wander the gardens on Garnish
• Play a round at Glengarriff
• Savour mussels in Bantry

• Ahakista Regatta( August Bank Holiday weekend) – with a Quiz hosted by TV personality & Author, Graham Norton.
• West Cork Chamber Music Festival – Nine days of concerts, masterclasses & talks in various venues in Bantry town – 28th June to 7th July – www.westcorkmusic.ie
• West Cork Literary Festival – Week-long celebration of writing & reading for people of all ages in various venues in Bantry town – 12th to 19th July – www.westcorkmusic.ie
• Ellen Hutchins Festival – Celebration of life of Ireland’s first female botanist with walks, talks, workshops all with a botanical theme – 17th to 25th August – www.ellenhutchins.com
• Masters of Tradition Festival – Celebrating Traditional Music in its purest form in various venues in Bantry town – 21st to 26th August – www.westcorkmusic.ie ,/p . ,p . • A Taste of West Cork – 6th to 15th September

The Memorial Garden located at the edge of the village remembers the death of over 329 people in a terrorist attack on an Air India Jumbo Jet in 1985, this being the closest spot to the bombing.

This neck of the woods generally is a magnet for those of us who pursue quality food and quality cooking, and you may be surprised by what’s on offer in the local shops, but you will need to travel the 17km to the sleepy market town of Bantry for larger shops and supermarkets.
Friday is market day in Bantry’s large town square, and should not be missed for the excellent local artisan food on sale.
Bantry Bay is renowned for mussel fishing – be sure to try them.

At the end of the 18th century a republican group seeking to overthrow British rule in Ireland, and spurred on by activities in America and France, managed to persuade the French to send a sizeable fleet of ships and some 14,000 troops to Bantry Bay.
Storms and general mismanagement doomed the Armada – an exhibition in Bantry House details more of this, plus the gardens are fantastic. Click here to find out more.

Across Dunmanus Bay to the south is the Mizen Head Peninsula. Its lighthouse marks Ireland’s most south westerly point, and can be reached via a dramatic bridge.

The comparatively warm Atlantic ocean caused by the gulf stream current, ensures an abundance of nourishment for maritime fauna. Apart from whales, dolphins and seals, the whole area is a Mecca for bird watchers.

There are excellent walks, trails and views throughout this popular and remote region – the Sheeps Head Way is a classic. 88km of walking around this narrow finger of land protruding into the wild Atlantic Ocean, although you can drive most of the way. The final loop to the small lighthouse at the very end of the peninsula, is worth the trip with its blow holes and the possibility of seeing dolphins or whales, with a rewarding cuppa & apple tart at Bernie’s Cafe once your round trip is completed !

If you are out on the Mizen, you might like to visit a megalith at Toormore Bay, known as the Alter Wedge Tomb. It is one of a dozen or so similar Stone Age constructions to be found around the peninsula.

Beautiful and busy Barley Cove beach, just around the corner, has extensive sand dunes and an interesting floating pontoon link, which helps to protect the dunes from visitor erosion.

The Fastnet rock lighthouse 14km offshore is the most southerly and the last visible point of Ireland for emigrants traveling to Ellis Island in the 19th century. It is also extremely exposed. The original cast iron lighthouse used to shake violently in storms. A rogue wave reportedly washed over the 48m tower in 1985.

Sailing is the most ubiquitous pastime along this stretch of Corks coastline, and from Crookhaven to Kinsale there are countless regattas throughout the summer, and great opportunities for the serious sailor to up their skills.