Could this be the most perfect hideaway in Cork, to rest, relax, reconnect?

AMY and John O’Sullivan don’t believe in wasting any time.

“After we met, we moved in together within six weeks!” says Amy, originally from Somerset in England, now living in the Mealagh Valley near Bantry, in West Cork.

The couple, parents to two grown-up children, Timothy and Lauren, didn’t waste any time during Covid when restrictions were in place.

“We looked around our beautiful surroundings here in West Cork, with magnificent views and close proximity to nature,” says Amy.

West Cork has a lot to offer.

“We developed a deep love for our local community, and we got the idea to open a business to boost tourism in the area.

“Our goal is to give people a place to rest, relax and reconnect with nature,” says Amy.

“We’ve designed Wild Hideaways so it’s like having a 5-star hotel room in the middle of the countryside.”

Amy and John weren’t always living and working in this beautiful neck of the woods.

“We went back-packing to Australia in 1997,” says Amy. “And we decided to stay!”

Life happened over 17 years.

“We got on with life Down Under. The outdoor lifestyle was lovely, and we had two children. John worked in the mining industry all over Australia, in industrial coal and iron ore. He was away from home a lot. Luckily, I am very independent, and I coped very well on my own.”

There were bonuses going with the job.

“When John wasn’t mining, we could enjoy a mini honeymoon for a week!” says Amy laughing.

Where did the couple meet?

“We met in Manchester in 1995,” says Amy. “I was a student and John was working laying Sky pipes on the road. He was the first Irish man I met, and I ended up marrying him! Within six weeks of meeting, we moved in with each other and have barely been apart ever since.”

What did Amy work at in Australia?

“I worked for a charity called Song Room,” she says.

“The organisation provided music and drama for under-privileged kids. I did a lot of media work, being a teacher and a regional manager. 

The skills involved helped me launch our business here.

Amy liked her surroundings in Australia.

“I loved the lifestyle in Oz,” she says. “The only thing is that I felt very lonely when John was away working. I didn’t realise just how lonely I felt until I came back to the Mealagh Valley where I felt so embraced. I felt so appreciated here.

“Australia is a great place to bring up kids, our two have relocated there. Our two grandchildren are there.”

There is nowhere like home.

“But being away from home on your own can be lonely,” adds Amy.

What influenced the couple’s decision to return to West Cork?

“John’s dad lives right across the valley,” says Amy.

“We came back for family reasons. My mum is in Bristol, so she is only an hour away. 

We came back to West Cork with the kids in 2014 when we bought a house in the Mealagh Valley.

During Covid, the family felt blessed to be where they were..

“We saw people on the news who were holed up in flats and small apartments for months on end. We were so fortunate to have the experience of the beauty of the Mealagh Valley. Even though we could only go 2km, we had the world at our feet,” says Amy.

“We could walk the dog, take in the views and enjoy our beautiful surroundings embraced by a caring community. We felt very lucky and thought about ways to share the experience.”

Now, after years of hard work, obstacles and pandemic setbacks, Amy and John O’Sullivan have finally launched their passion project of bringing an eco spa to the West Cork countryside.

Wild Hideaways is the newest glamping spot in Cork and offers six luxury lodges in the scenic Mealagh Valley.

“It is adults only and pet friendly,” says Amy.

She did her research before getting the project up and running.

“When we bought the house, we also bought the field next door from our friend and neighbour. 

We had the land available, and I began my research, listening to podcasts about the growing industry and sourcing funding.

“We’ve gotten some amazing support from the Leader programme, our local Bantry Credit Union, and from so many people in the Mealagh village community.”

Starting a new business from scratch isn’t easy.

“It has been a long and difficult road, but if you are passionate about showing everything rural Ireland has to offer and giving guests the ultimate experience like us, then the whole thing is more than worth it.

“We applied for pre-planning in February, 2021, which was an arduous process, especially during Covid. Everything was done through email; there were piles of emails mounting up for months before getting replies. I sourced what grants were available and the Leader Programme proved very helpful. I gave up teaching music while I was going through the process. It was a full-time job,” says Amy.

She was intent on getting the job done.

“The pre-planning went through and then we got full planning. Our local engineer was a great help. It was difficult to find an engineer willing to take on the project.”

Glamping has become more glamourous.

“The industry is growing,” says Amy. “It is not run-of-the- mill anymore. More luxury is being introduced. We have six luxury lodges, each with their own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen outside seating area, outdoor bathtub and a fire-pit. 

There is a communal area situated near the pond where we encourage wildlife. The sauna and cold-water therapy suite are also a bonus.

The O’Sullivans have more plans for the echo spa.

“There is a wellness centre in the pipeline,” says Amy.

“It will be a dedicated space for yoga, mindfulness, massages, etc, which will be offered in each individual lodge.

“We’ve created glamping on the luxury end, likening it to a stay in a five-star hotel.”

There are more benefits.

“We are in the middle of nature with sweeping views.”

How much is John involved in the project?

“John supported the project financially,” says Amy.

“He was working every day funding the business. He uses his muscle in the garden and doing the ground work to get things up and running.”

John is a people person.

“He is great cráic,” says Amy. “People will love meeting him. He was born and brought up here, so he has lots of information and stories about the area.”

Amy feels like a local too.

“I had never lived here before,” she says. “I’m treated like I was a local. The people here are wonderful. They are the best friends you could ever ask for.”

Mum is getting on board.

“She’s coming from Bristol to spend two weeks with us,” says Amy.

She’ll have it made.

“Mum will have her own space and her own kitchen when she stays in one of the lodges,” says Amy.”

Who will the lodges appeal to?

“Because it’s adults only, I think the experience will appeal to romantic couples, best friends who like to get away together, and people who want to rest, relax and recharge in the midst of nature.”

Amy’s fingers are always on the pulse.

I teach piano I the afternoons. I love the interaction with the kids. Career-wise, that is what I am trained to do.

Having a new career and a new environment sits well with Amy.

“Coming back to Ireland was a huge change for us,” she admits.

But the time was right.

“We had our family raised and we were at the right stage in our lives to get a business up and running.”

What are her hopes for the future?

“I’d like John not to have to work so many hours and come and work with us,” says Amy. “I might be sorry I said that!”

Wild Hideaways, Laharanshermeen, Bantry, Co. Cork. P75 P599 Phone: 087-2121675