This snug, grass-roofed eco-cabin offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a warm Irish welcome, mountain walks on the Beara Way or snorkelling through nearby reefs. Sample local cheeses, lamb, fish and seafood or stoke up the wood-burning stove, have a glass of wine and and savour the peace and tranquillity! Word of warning: we are VERY remote, (1km off the road down a rough track). With almost no public transport, own transport (eg car) is highly recommended - see Getting Around! The space This remote and peaceful location offers an opportunity to unwind, enjoy an unspoiled and breath-takingly beautiful environment and recharge your batteries! There is a comfy double bed (197cm x 154cm / 6ft 5.5in x 5ft, with an an 'Emma' mattress). In addition there is a pull out sofa bed in the living area, and a child-sized floor bed or baby cot on request, so we can comfortably accommodate couples, 2-3 friends, small families, and solo travellers. A five to ten minute stroll takes you to a local swimming spot, fishing point, pre-Christian / Bronze Age archaeological remains, picturesque ruins or cliff views. You may see seals, dolphins, diving gannets or, if you are lucky, the local otters. It is an ideal place to kick back and relax. In bad weather you can play cards or board games or just sway in the hammock seat in front of the fire, listen to music and daydream... If you fancy a dip we can lend you wet suits, snorkel masks, goggles and flippers and show you some lovely accessible swimming spots where you can take the plunge. It's so close that we provide dressing gowns and plastic shoes so you can just go down in your swim suit, dry off afterwards and pop back to the cabin for a hot shower. (The bathroom has an instant hot electric shower, a flush toilet and a handbasin with cold water supply). Whether you prefer a gentle ramble, walk or hike, we can recommend nearby hill and coastal walks and signposted loop routes on the adjacent Beara Way. There are even hats and scarves and jackets to borrow if you didn't come prepared, as well as wellington boots of various sizes. If the weather isn't in your favour or you prefer to lounge around we have a library of books, CDs, radio, cards and games to keep you amused in front of the fire. Clear nights are great for star-gazing as the area has very little light pollution. We are avid foodies, and can recommend where you can get the best local fresh fish and seafood, free range hen and duck eggs, local lamb and local Mileens Cheese directly from the cheese makers, as well as shops where you can find organic, wholefoods and vegetarian or vegan fare. Fear not if you are a coffee-drinker, as there is a cafetiere (French press). There is also a mini 'Honesty Shop' with locally made soaps/cosmetics and jewellery etc. The kitchen is very well equipped, with full-sized oven, grill, stove, toaster and hand blender. You should be able to cook anything you want and if you need anything we can probably lend it to you. There are 'Arrival/Survival' Supplies for your convenience (some tea, coffee, sugar, condiments (oil, vinegar etc), herbs and spices). Nearest shops are about a ten minute drive away. If you prefer to eat out we can direct you to a range of cafes and restaurants to suit every taste and pocket. Most are a ten or twenty minute drive away and not all are open every day over the Winter. We are on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Beara Way Waking Route, the Ring of Beara, the Beara Cycling Route and near some designated Shore Fishing Points. There are Art Galleries, a Sculpture Garden and a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre within a 30 minute drive. Meditation is available at the Dzogchen Beara Centre daily. The area is famous for its neolithic, megalithic and Bronze Age sites, such as Stone Circles, Ogham Stones, Dolmens, Wedge Tombs, Ring Forts and Souterrains and your host be hired to take you on a guided tour (half or full day) by pre-arrangement. If you prefer to go it alone, Kilcatherine's fifth century Graveyard with its pre-christian 'cat's head' and the famous 'Hag of Beara' are only about 10-15 minutes stroll away. Lessons in conversational English (as a second language) can also be arranged at any level as your host is a qualified ESOL teacher. Introduction to Irish (Gaelic) is also possible for those interested. Guest access The Cabin and its immediate surroundings is a private space for guests and will not be shared with anyone. Both guests and hosts, (who live nearby - see photos), can use a simple red flag/green flag system to indicate how much social interaction they are/are not open to at any given time. (This works very well!) Guests can park behind the main house and access the Cabin directly. There is a small garden area with a raised patio/viewing spot complete with picnic table for the exclusive use of Cabin guests . The table converts to a comfortable bench which can be used to view the stunning starscape on a dark and cloudless night or just watch the moon rise and set over the ocean - we even provide a warm blanket to keep you cosy while star-gazing. Guests have direct access through a small gate to the shoreline and swimming spot. There is WiFi internet access (which can occasionally be intermittent depending on the weather - see Other Things to Note below), and we can facilitate you with landline access by pre-arrangement if necessary. We are happy to do laundry (washing/drying) for guests free of charge, although we encourage a small donation to the RNLI box (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) whose local volunteer crew has saved many lives in this coastal area. Other things to note *NB* You will probably need your own transport (car) to get here and get around the area. Local link buses to Kenmare, Castletownbere and Bantry are infrequent and the nearest stop is a 45 minute walk away. 1) *'Arrival/Survival Supplies'* (Tea, coffee, sugar, condiments) are provided to guests on arrival to keep them going until they can shop for supplies. (NB The closest local shop is 9km away and there is no local transport"!) Kindling and a starter pack of wood for the wood-burning stove is provided free of charge and additional fuel is available for purchase at cost price. 2) Guest Pets are welcome, but please see also under House Rules. If you suffer from dog/cat allergies, this is probably not the place for you as we also have a dog and three cats, (and guests keep inviting the cats in to visit!) 3) WiFi is available via a mast transmitter on a mountain across the bay. Very occasionally, in bad weather, (high winds or thick fog) internet access can be intermittent. Basically, if you really need 100% guaranteed constant connectivity, the Cabin is not for you! (On the other hand, many people have come here to WFH (work from home) for a period and have had not issues - we just can't give a 100% guarantee.) If you feel like it you can leave the wifi switched off and take the chance to 'go dark' and really enjoy being present in this wonderful place! Up to each guest to decide. 4) There is a double bed (with Emma mattress). If you don't wish to share a bed, or if there are three of you, you should note that the other bed is a small double sofa bed, (but pretty comfortable) which is folded out in the living space at night. We have another child-sized bed and a travel cot which can be erected in the bedroom beside the double bed if necessary so that a child/baby can be put to sleep while the parents stay up. 5) Although the location itself is remote and our nearest neighbours are over 1km away, you should be aware that we (your hosts) live just behind the cabin. (Hence the need for our red flag/green flag system!) However, you have part of the garden (a viewing platform with a bench/picnic table) for your exclusive use, and all the cabin windows face the sea to the west and south, not towards the house. (Look at the aerial picture - the cabin is towards the sea on the right). So it feels quite private. 6) Lessons in English (as a foreign language) are available by arrangement for a reasonable fee. Introduction to Irish/Gaelic may also be available. 7) Hikers on the Beara Way Walking Route please note, we may sometimes be able to provide a drop-off, pick-up service by arrangement for petrol costs . 8) This is Ireland - (in)famous for having four seasons in one day. The weather is very changeable and it is wise to bring good hiking boots, waterproof clothing, and a hat/scarf, even in summer. We have the latter in the Cabin to borrow if stuck. NB Wearing easily removable layers is the key! That said, hikers and bikers can rest assured that there are clothes-drying facilities in the cabin and there access to a washing machine on a donation basis. We also have drier for damp articles. (You can borrow from our selection of visitor wellies if things get really muddy!) 9) I swim all year around so you are welcome to join me. Although the local swimming spot is very popular and (mostly) safe this is the Atlantic Ocean - it can be treacherous. Always ask us for advice before you swim. There can be strong currents, underwater rocks or an undertow. Freak waves after storms are not uncommon. We are happy to give you tips on how to stay safe when on or near the shore. Snorkels may be available to borrow. 10) This is a wooden building with a grass roof and we live in the wilds of the countryside - so be prepared for some spiders and other small insects to be in the Cabin at some stage during your stay. (It's unavoidable - a bit like traffic noise in a city!) We feel it's preferable to have a few spiders' webs than the many insects they remove! They do not bite and we have no poisonous insects (or snakes of any kind) in Ireland.