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Island Cottage

Classes/Courses / Cookery School / Restaurant

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For Cooking & Service Well Above Average A selection of establishments outside the standard categories that should enhance the discerning travellers experience of Ireland Denotes genuine Irish food culture, ie special Irish food products/companies/producers, and highlights the best places to shop for regional and artisan foods; the selection excludes obvious 'non-Irish' elements regardless of quality, eg ethnic restaurants and specialists in coffee, wine and other drinks, unless relevant to local production or history. Eat & Stay establishments are chosen for their commitment to showcasing local produce and Irish hospitality. Outstanding Location, building or atmosphere The "Best of the Best" - Only the very best establishments across various categories have been chosen for this accolade

Island Cottage

In their brochure, John Desmond and Ellmary Fenton describe their restaurant as unusual, in a unique and beautiful setting. This is an understatement; their Island Cottage Restaurant is extraordinary by any standards.
Seats 24 (max table size 10; be prepared to share a table). Restaurant open mid June to mid September, Fri-Sun. Very simple late lunch by reservation, Fri, Sat & Sun from mid Jun to mid Sep; one sitting served at group pace. Set Menu - no choice, no exceptions. Possibly also a lobster evening for a very small group of guests. Please phone form further details. *Off season cookery courses available. No credit cards. abbreviations

In their brochure, John Desmond and Ellmary Fenton describe their restaurant as unusual, in a unique and beautiful setting. This is an understatement; their Island Cottage Restaurant is extraordinary by any standards. You have to get there and back by ferry, a five-minute sail from Cunnamore pier, for a return fare of €6.00. (Tel: 086-8092447)  


You can’t help but feel part of something special, sailing into Roaring Water Bay among a boatload of fellow diner sailors, adrenaline rising in anticipation of an island feast, which, after the ten minute walk from the pier, is exactly what you get.


In prescriptive fashion the brochure states “set menu, no choice, no exceptions) and, although the set dinner that they offered for 30 years is no longer available, the 'very simple late lunch' is sure to be equally delicious.


John Desmond’s single-handed cooking of the freshest ingredients is that of a consummate professional and Ellmary combines the duties of maitresse d’hotel and MC with similar attention to detail.  She rules the roost; the presumption is that diners submit to her authority.


Some may find the primacy of order – advance booking only with deposit, no credit cards, do’s and don’ts – a bit off-putting, but most are won over by the singular dining experience, unchanging and successful for over twenty years.


There is a small selection of well chosen red and white wine: four red and four white; fairly priced and you may be confident that they will be fine examples of their type and very good value.


Small functional glasses double for water and wine and cutlery is plain stainless steel. Wooden tables are adorned with fragrant little vases (Shanagarry again) of herbs grown around the periphery of the cottage, among them, curry plant, bay, rosemary, sage, fennel, borage, parsley, marjoram, chives.


The small cottage takes a maximum of 22 spread over three tables.  All bookings under six share a table.  Group bookings are possible, maybe even in the off season. One unisex toilet - small, but just about adequate.


Island Cottage Cookery School operates two-day courses for two people during March, April, May, September and October; morning courses, inclusive of light lunch, in the period 15 June to 15 September and four-day “hands on with John”, Wednesday to Sunday, in July and August.


John Desmond is a respected artist as well as chef; his paintings hang in the gallery adjoining the restaurant. Interested parties should also inquire about the Island Cottage Artists/Writers' Retreats.

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  • Broadband WI/FI
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  • Location - Beach <1km
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Last Updated: 01-11-2021
Author: Georgina Campbell
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Island Cottage
Heir Island, Skibbereen Co Cork
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Directions About Skibbereen Trip Planning Tools
From Skibbereen, on Ballydehob road, turn left at Church Cross, signposted Hare Island and Cunnamore. Narrow winding road, past school, church, Minihan's Bar. Continue to end of road, Cunnamore car park. Ferry (blue boat) departs Cunnamore pier at 7.55 returns at 11.55 (journey: 4 minutes.) For ferry, contact John Moore / Richard Pyburn Tel: 086 809 2447.
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                  10th June 2021
                  Bernard Kroger
                  Krogerfeedback survey is giving you a chance to win $5000 Every Month! Not to forget the 50 bonus fuel points for EVERY week.
                  Reply as owner
                  14th December 2014
                  Benjamin Snyder
                  John and Ellmary, I sure wish we had been able to visit you and enjoy your wonderful hospitality (and also your cooking). I'm too old to travel much and Ginger died in August. We shall never forget all you taught us in Chatou. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ben Snyder
                  Reply as owner

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