I am delighted to introduce you to Ballymacrown Homestead, which consists of three West Cork cottages - the “Croft”, the “Gallery” and our home ,which adjoins the Gallery - the “Old Farmhouse”. The homestead has been here for two maybe three hundred years. When we first came here, the cottages were in various states of neglect. The “Old Farmhouse” luckily just needed repairs, so we were able to conserve most of the original features, whilst the Croft was a ruin with only three walls standing. The Gallery was a new build and since clearing the undergrowth around it we have found the remains of an old outbuilding. The Croft and the Gallery have been rebuilt by local tradesmen, using skills that have been passed down through generations. 

 

The layout is the same throughout with loft bedrooms and cathedral style ceilings in the open plan living areas. The Croft features a magnificent fireplace, whilst the Gallery has panoramic views of the countryside and out across the islands to Mizen Head. The cottages sit in an acre of land with lovely views to the mountains and to Loch Ine (Lough Hyne) Forest from the front lawn. There is also an orchard that we planted last year and an ornamental vegetable garden behind the Croft. We garden organically and use only products that are not harmful to the environment for cleaning and encourage recycling. We try to support the local farmers and businesses by only buying local produce for the welcome packs, which include Baltimore free-range eggs, local sausages and bacon, Irish Oats cereal, Clonakilty Milk and Bandon Butter. We also bake our own soda bread and include homemade jams or marmalade in the welcome pack. 

 

There are lovely walks from Ballymacrown to Spain (a deserted village overlooking the Atlantic) and Loch Ine (Lough Hyne) —Ireland’s first marine nature reserve . From Baltimore you can take ferries to the Islands of Sherkin and Cape Clear (bird sanctuary) and even the Fastnet rock. Baltimore itself is a vibrant little fishing and sailing village, with many good restaurants to choose from. Previous guests have enjoyed driving along the coast visiting the various beaches and secluded bays or experiencing the barren Sheep’s Head and Mizen Head peninsulas , (awe inspiring in both good and stormy weather) and for the more adventurous over the mountains to the Lady’s View overlooking the lakes of Killarney. Other activities enjoyed have been diving expeditions, fishing off the quay in Baltimore for mackerel and keen photographers have captured the dramatic scenery and for those interested in the history of the area the Famine exhibition in Skibbereen. 

 

Thank you for your interest,

David & Joan Martin