Couple’s Youghal B&B is a dream come true

Every time John Bailey and Mary O’Regan used to drive past Avonmore House in Youghal, they would say that if it ever went up for sale, they would jump at the chance to buy it.

There was something about this grand Georgian pile that was calling to them.

Mary, a Youghal native, was a nurse for years working in America and Iraq, while John, whose mum hails from Kinsale and whose dad is a Dubliner, travelled the world on ships for more than 30 years as a hydrographic surveyor.

However, he eventually decided to seek out dry land.

“I felt I was missing out on a more settled life,” John says, “and I didn’t want to become a grumpy old seadog!

“So, at 50, I decided to change my life, I did the 12-week course in Ballymaloe and knew that this was what I wanted to do.

“I fell in love with bread-making. I didn’t want the pressure of a café or bistro but I liked the idea of a B&B.”

He and Mary took the plunge and invested in a food truck.

“I decided I wanted it to look like a cottage,” Mary says, “so I designed the truck like that, thatched roof and all!

“As a nutritionist, it was wholesome organic food I wanted to make. We were using compostable plates, etc, before compostable became a thing, and we were offering gluten-free options.”

The business took off.

They started in Garrettstown, Youghal and Cobh, and attended various festivals.

One day, they were asked if they would cater to a large group of 150 people at an industrial estate in Cork, and from there word spread. They were in huge demand.

Then, in 2018, it happened! Avonmore House was up for sale!

“Over a few years, we were seeing Youghal get more popular,” John says, “and businesses were doing well.

“There was a lovely positive feeling around the town, so we took the plunge and bought the house, and moved in in the summer of 2019.”

Of course, soon after covid hit.

“The future looked unsure for us, we had invested everything and were fearful for the future,” recalls John of that time of great uncertainty.

However, what initially could have been a disaster became a blessing in disguise, as John and Mary could devote all their time to bringing Avonmore House - located at the entrance to Youghal Harbour and set on the grounds of a former Franciscan Abbey, dating back to 1752 - back to its former grandeur.

Mary’s artistic flair and knowledge of Georgian design allowed her to create a luxurious home, while John took on the bigger jobs like roof repairs, all the while perfecting his baking skills.

Eventually, things got back to normal after the pandemic, and Mary and John opened Avonmore House B&B Guesthouse.

Their attention to detail and love of meeting people have since helped to make the business a success.

The property was the first house built outside Youghal’s town walls. Initially under the ownership of the Earls of Cork, the title passed to the Duke of Devonshire in 1826 and has been in private hands since 1846.

Avonmore House has nine bedrooms and, while keeping the Georgian décor, Mary and John have added modern luxuries, with 6ft-wide beds, recliner chairs, and flat screen TVs.

The guest parlour room is richly decorated with large leather sofas and fabulous art. A beautiful, peaceful room to read or play chess.

The dining experience for the guests offers a different treat for the palate every day. You choose your breakfast and time of dining the evening before, so John can cater to your needs exclusively. Naturally, his bread is to die for!

The guesthouse is a sanctuary of peace and calm within minutes of the beach and Youghal town centre. There is special needs parking and beautiful seating areas dotted around the property.

Mary’s artistic flair shines through in every inch of this fine home, while John’s knowledge of its history and his passion for baking make it easy to see why they have return visitors every year.

Mary is currently setting up a vegetable garden, and John will be using their organic herbs in his bread baking - each loaf takes three days to produce!

The menu has everything from French omelettes with organic smoked salmon and chives; to avocado mushroom and feta; frittata with baked ham, onion, mushroom, and black and white pudding with mature Irish cheddar, as well as sourdough pancakes filled with baked apple for dessert.

An influx of Ukrainian refugees, and then asylum-seekers, has had an impact on Youghal’s hospitality industry.

There were until recently three functioning hotels in the town, Mary says, “which brought tourists and weddings and lots of visitors, which was great for the town and great for all the businesses like ours”.

However, now there is only one hotel that is open to guests, so this has been her quietest year yet.

“Hopefully, the hotels will go back to being functioning hotels again and Youghal will become a proper tourist destination again,” says Mary.

“Thankfully, we have our return visitors who love it here so business is steady.”

Avonmore House B&B also caters for groups of 10+ for a special dining experience.

Bookings can be made through the usual sites or you can call directly on 024 92617 or 087 8186812.