Cork's Great Escapes: Cottage blends rustic charm and mod cons

If you’re looking for somewhere unique for your next staycation, this traditional thatched roof cottage outside Midleton is the perfect base for exploring East Cork.

Pulling up to the cottage in the countryside of Walshtown, the first thing I noted was just how pretty the cottage was, with its whitewashed exterior, thatched roof, yellow door and front garden full of blooming flowers. I couldn’t wait to look inside.

A short path leads from the road to the yellow door - a stand-out feature of the cottage. Upon opening it, I was met with the perfect mix of rustic charm and modern comfort.

The kitchen and living area of the cottage is bright and airy with high ceilings, a kitchen with an oven, cooker, microwave, fridge, kettle and all utensils needed to cook a meal, and a stove which makes for a cosy night in by the fire watching some TV or having a cuppa. The cottage has what I like to call ‘proper mugs’ that hold a decent cup of tea!

With two bedrooms, a large living/kitchen area and an outdoor seating area, it is perfect for a family, with a travel cot available upon request.

There are two back doors in the cottage - one in the living/kitchen area and the other in the main bedroom - which lead to the outdoor seating area, offering a lovely space to enjoy an evening meal or breakfast in the sunshine.

The main bedroom has a comfy double bed, wardrobe, a chest of drawers for extra storage, and additional bedding and blankets. Its high ceilings, timber-panelled roof and skylights make it feel bright and spacious.

A second bedroom, at the other end of the cottage beside the bathroom, has twin beds with a shelving unit.

The experience of staying at a traditional cottage is highlighted not only in the structure with its thick walls, lower doorways and high ceilings, but in the subtle details such as the wicker furniture, straw broom, and stove.

The property as it stands today is the result of a restoration project of dedication and determination, a huge undertaking by owners Naoimh Reilly and Michael O’Riordan and their many helpers.

Back in 2015, Michael was working in Dublin and got a call from his father asking if he had any interest in taking over the cottage which had belonged to his father’s aunt. Michael wanted to create a base in Cork so, with the help of his sister Maria and brother-in-law Padjoe, they set about the renovation of the then near-falling down cottage.

Michael said that, with massive support from relatives and friends, they started the strip-out of the building and discovered the sheer amount of work that had to be done.

They began the renovation process with the roof and that was completed in the summer of 2016 by thatcher Liam Broderick, who Michael said did an amazing job of rescuing as much of the old roof as possible.

The interior of the cottage was then stripped, which he said led to many surprises and a lot of learning about how the house was put together as they peeled back its many layers.

Lime plastering specialist Coleman Howard selected a finish for the walls that kept the characteristic curves while also providing much-needed breathability to the building, considering its age. Michael gave special mention to his uncle Christopher Fitzpatrick, who was always available with a helping hand and for moral support, and their builder Noel Howard, who he said was always able to resource things that were either too difficult or dangerous for the amateurs to be doing.

After the renovation was complete, the couple made it their home, but with the arrival of their second child, they made the decision the cottage was no longer big enough without fundamentally changing its character, so they decided to offer the cottage as a holiday rental.

It is a decision that is proving successful, with the cottage at about 80% occupancy throughout the months of July and August.

“It is really heartwarming to have people experiencing the cottage and treating it with the respect it deserves,” the couple said. “It is a truly unique staying experience and, while it has its quirks, every decision we made while renovating it was made to respect what had gone before us. The low lintel on the back door being a particular bugbear of some taller people.”

This charming cottage, full of history and character, is the perfect base for those seeking a peaceful getaway in the countryside, or those who are looking to explore.

Midleton and the wider area has plenty to see and do, including many walking trails to choose from, the Midleton Greenway, Midleton Distillery Experience, history tours of nearby Cobh, Spike Island and Fota Wildlife Park, to name a few.

So, if you want the opportunity to stay at a traditional thatched cottage that has been restored with love and respect for its past, look no further than The Thatched Cottage.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/493szaey for more information.

AT A GLANCE

Cost of stay:

• €150 per night (plus Airbnb fees)
• 2-night minimum stay requirement

Highlights

• Unique opportunity to stay at a traditional thatched roof cottage
• Cosy, rustic and characterful accommodation in a rural setting
• Perfect for group of four or a family

Itinerary

• Located 30 minutes from Cork city and 10 minutes from Midleton, there is a large selection of amenities and activities near this traditional Irish thatched cottage to include on your itinerary. Here are just some suggestions:

Walking/nature trails

• Midleton Greenway (10-minute drive)
• Bailick Park (13-minute drive)
• Ballyannan Woods (15-minute drive)
• Curragh Wood (5-minute drive)
• Castlelake Walk (15-minute drive)
• Glansheskin Park (30-minute drive)
• Ballycotton Cliff Walk (35-minute drive)
• Activities/Amenities Midleton Distillery Experience (14-minute drive) - www.jamesonwhiskey.com
• Titanic Trail in Cobh (30-minute drive) - www.titanic.ie
• Cork Harbour Boat Hire in Cobh (30-minute drive) - www.corkharbourboathire.com
• Spike Island (30-minute drive) - www.spikeislandcork.ie
• Fota Wildlife Park (20-minute drive) - www.fotawildlife.ie
• Site of Clonmult Ambush (10-minute drive)
• Inch Beach (28-minute drive)
• Ballycroneen Beach (27-minute drive)
• Roches Point Lighthouse (30-minute drive)

Local Foodie Spots

• Café Bolty (12-minute drive)
• PAN café and restaurant (12-minute drive)
• The Grumpy Bakers (12-minute drive)
• Berie’s (12-minute drive)
• Monty’s (12-minute drive)
• Ferrit & Lee (14-minute drive)
• JJ Coppinger’s (14-minute drive)
• Church Lane (12-minute drive)
• Salinas Bistro (10-minute drive)