Strand Cottage

Winding its way through ancient woodland, the driveway ends in a secluded south facing clearing just a few feet above the sea.

From here a weathered iron gate opens onto a gravel path that leads down to the cottage, where a set of French doors welcome you to an open plan kitchen and dining area.

The dining table seats up to six on a cushioned bench and chairs. It is bright with glorious views across the small, well-tended lawn to the sea and hills beyond.

The kitchen is painted in egg shell blue and soft white set off by solid wooden work surfaces, and affords the best in contemporary appliances and below-counter storage.

A four ringed electric cooker with oven is complemented by a Rayburn range with hot plates and oven. This oil-fired range provides the heating and hot water to the home.

The Belfast sink, the brushed brass kitchen draw grabs and original door handles provide a link to the past and are a testament to the owner’s diligence in the recent renovation.

A cosy sitting room with more of those stunning bay vistas adjoins to the dining room.

In addition to the oil-fired central heating, a wood burning stove is sited in the fireplace with an endless supply of fuel drawn from the surrounding woodland in a shed around the back.

A sofa and two arm-chairs provide the comfort, and selection of books encourage a curl-up moment on those rare West Cork inclement days!

Both bedrooms are doubles and have south facing windows, and they each have free standing hand basins.

One bed has a novel system of elevation, devised to catch more of the views.

The bathroom is located towards the rear, and includes both a generous bath and modern power shower.

A fully equipped utility room located at the back of the cottage provides full laundry facilities, and an additional external lavatory is also to the rear.

The cottage faces south with magnificent views across Bantry Bay to Whiddy Island and the Sheeps Head Peninsula beyond.

A stone terrace spans the front of the home alongside a fine lawn bordered by a low wall that defines the southern edge of the property.

To the side, an elevated slabbed patio has a fire pit and is a great barbeque area – charcoal barbecue and outdoor seating provided.

The gravel path running past the cottage leads through the woods on to a shingle beach from which swimming is possible. This sheltered harbour was well used in the 1930s and some fine wooden rowing boats remain as memories of that age.

Kitchen Appliances
• Electric twin ovens with 4 ceramic rings
• Rayburn oil-fired range
• 2 Fridges
• Freezer
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Coffee percolator

Utility Appliances
• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms
• Sizes – Two double beds

Other
• Selection of books
• WiFi: Strong signal available • Good cell phone coverage.  No TV.

• Get sailing and show us the cut of your jib
• All about the copper mines
• Walk around the Beara loop
• Scuba dive with dolphins
• Go for a hole in one in Bantry
• Sup a slow pint in O’Neills
• Visit Garnish Island’s exotic gardens
• Lose your golf ball in the water

• A pint and a story in MacCarthy’s
• Fish food for thought
• Drop-in Buddhist centre
• For Fishing or Bay tours
• Visit Bantry’s Stately Home
• Take a boating seafood tour
• Kayake with the seals

The nearest supermarket is in Reendesert a few minutes drive away, but a trip to Bantry town will not disappoint – about 10 minutes – there are several large outlets to choose from.Bantry has a rich history. 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.

Click here to find out more…

Storms and general mismanagement doomed the Armada – an exhibition in Bantry House details more of this, plus the gardens are fantastic.

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

The Ring of Beara road twists its way around this headland, exposing colourful hamlets in its path. Narrow, but with minimal traffic, it is a splendid tour, and the views are spectacular. For Cyclists or walkers the Beara Way https://bearatourism.com/things-to-do/beara-way-walking-route  offers a safer route.

West Cork is blessed with an exceptionally warm and wet micro-climate. The Gulf Stream ocean current ensures that summer sea temperatures are about 17 C, approximately the same as Long Beach California. Here you can find palm trees, luxuriant sub-tropical vegetation and exotic flowers growing in abundance.

The tiny Garnish Island, just off the buzzing village of Glengarrif, 15 minutes away, demonstrates this in a series of gardens flush with rhododendrons, azaleas and other surprising plants.

Further along, Castletownbere is Irelands largest white fish port. The harbour is deep and is reputed to be one of the safest in the world. Sheltered by Bere Island, itself with many ancient archaeological sites, the town has a long military history.

At the tip of the peninsula a spur off the loop road continues to Ballaghboy. From here you can catch Irelands only cable car for the ten-minute ride to Dursey Island.

The rickety car carries six passengers (or the equivalent in sheep) about 250m above infamous Dursey Sound, where strong tides make travelling by boat hazardous.
With magnificent views stretching from the Skelligs to Mizen Head, only a handful of inhabitants brave this wild and windy island.
Dolphins, whales and innocent basking sharks are frequently seen in the surrounding seas.

For a period during the 19th century copper mining was the major industry in the area, and much evidence still exists in the small town of Allihies where there is an interesting museum – and a simply stunning beach.

The Caha Mountain range runs down the spine of Beara, and Hungry Hill is the highest of its peaks.   The panorama at the top is of course staggering, but the route is a bit all-terrain and needs fine weather.

To cross back to Strand Cottage, don’t miss the Tim Healy Pass. This zigzag road is worth it for the wonderful scenery, and is one of the classic Irish Car Rally stages.

There are ample sites for fishing into deep water straight off the rocky Beara shoreline. Glenbeg Lake, is also teeming with trout and the short Glenmore River spate is extremely prolific, with runs of Spring Salmon coming in March, and Sea-Trout in mid-June to late July.