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Situated a stone’s throw from the waters of the beautiful bay, the Adams family's small traditional hotel is the heart of the local community - and one of the friendliest places to stay on the Cork coast.
It's one of those nice old fashioned hotels that we're in danger of losing but, luckily, the Courtmacsherry Hotel is currently in the energetic and very caring hands of a young couple, Billy and Ellen Adams, who are doing everything possible to bring it up to date and, as Ellen says, 'make it the talking point that it once was'.
The neatly presented black and white exterior and well maintained gardens (complete with a fine old specimen cork tree) create a good impression on arrival and there's usually a buzz of activity even off season as weddings, communions, and gatherings of all sorts are regularly held in the hotel.
There are two bars, the Esplanade (lounge) and the pubby Seven Heads Bar (named after a series of local headlands) which is the main focus for most visitors - extending out to the garden on a sunny moment’s notice, it is more of a social hub than an ordinary hotel bar.
The ten bedrooms are in the original Victorian house that remains the heart of the hotel and, while there are still some reminders of a former time, the rooms (which are undergoing refurbishment) are comfortable and have good beds. When booking, be sure to ask for a front facing room so that you can take in the splendid views of the bay.
A good breakfast showcasing local producers (including the excellent Ummera smoked salmon) is served in the Cork Tree Restaurant; sporting high-backed chairs and candelabras, it's popular for celebratory dinners and gatherings, while the Seven Heads is the main everyday dining venue particularly in the off-season.
Offering something for everybody, from fish and chips, to curries,Hereford prime steak wraps and pizza, the extensive Seven Heads menu also features local suppliers, such as Ummera, Round Tower cheese, Molaga honey and Clonakilty Black Pudding - and kids will enjoy the usual suspects.
Drinks include a good choice of wines and most of the major beers, of course, also some craft beers and a decent selection of gins amon the spirits, including the local one by Black’s of Kinsale.
On the Wild Atlantic Way route and a good base for exploring West Cork, Courtmacsherry is only half an hour from Kinsale, Clonakilty and Bandon.This lovely village is a popular destination for many activities including sailing, kayaking, horse riding, angling, and walking - whether for a ramble in the nearby woods (famous for their bluebells and wild garlic flowers in spring) or a section of the 40-kilometre+ coastal route.
*** The hotel also owns 8 holiday cottages - set in woodland and overlooking the bay, all have central heating, two spacious bedrooms (sleeping 6+) and two bathrooms with shower downstairs; towels and linen are supplied and cottage residents have the use of hotel facilities when open.
