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 bedrooms - either recently refurbished or in a new extension - have power showers or bath, very comfortable beds, electric blankets, hair dryers, tea/coffee making facilities and clock radios.
Two newer rooms are on the ground floor, with direct access to a sheltered patio, and parking close by.
Fine cooked-to-order breakfasts will set you up for the day and, for the evening, moderately priced evening meals are available for walking groups only; otherwise, there are plenty of good restaurants nearby, also pubs with traditional Irish music.
Recent renovations have been well-planned, 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.
Rooms 4 (3 en-suite & no-smoking, 3 shower only, 1 with private bathroom, 2 ground floor) B&B €38 pps, ss €12; children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cot available without charge). Evening meals by arrangement (7 pm; €24); light meals also available. *Self-catering cottage and farmhouse also available, all year - details on the website. Closed 1 Nov - 1 Apr. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
