Hospitality comes first at this working farm overlooking Dunmanus Bay, where Agnes Hegarty’s guests - including walkers, who revel in the 55 mile “Sheep’s Head Way” - are welcomed with a cup of tea and home-baked scones on arrival.
It is a traditional farmhouse with some recent additions, and makes a comfortable base for exploring the area, or a traditional family holiday - there’s a swing and a donkey on the farm, rooms are big enough for an extra child’s bed and it’s only five minutes’ walk to the beach.
There’s a sitting room for guests, with television and an open fire, and the accommodation consists of four spacious bedrooms: two double/triple on the first floor and, on the ground floor, one family and one triple (1 double and 1 single bed).
All have power showers or a bath, very comfortable beds, electric blankets, hair dryers, tea/coffee making facilities and clock radios, and the ground floor rooms have direct access to a sheltered patio, and parking close by.
The bright, spacious dining room has a log fire, traditional beams, wood stove and open beams - and B&B guests can help themselves to a simple breakfast here. For the evening, there are plenty of good restaurants nearby, also pubs with traditional Irish music - and the famous Tin Pub is only a 10 minute walk.
Renovations have been well-planned in recentyears , so that some rooms in the house can be used for self-catering instead of B&B if required.
*Hillcrest House was our Farmhouse of the Year in 2001.
