Sisters renovate derelict Cork hotel

TWO young women are giving a whole new meaning to the feminist anthem Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves.

Aislinn and Nicole O’Shea are undertaking the renovation and complete reimagination of a derelict hotel in West Cork, carrying out most of the work themselves.

Aisling, 30, is a graphic designer and her sister Nicole, 27, has a background in accounts/business and they both had their heart set on taking on a renovation project together.

Growing up, they were always encouraged to ‘think outside the box’ and dream big – which is exactly what they’re doing now.

They were constantly scrolling and searching for potential properties to take on, and when they saw the old hotel in Owenahincha – a popular holiday destination for Cork city people – they knew instantly, it was ‘the one’.

From Maynooth, they made what was their first visit to West Cork to view the property, fell in love with it even more, and made an offer the next day which was accepted, going sale agreed for €450,000.

That was in July, 2022, and since then the girls, who moved down lock, stock and barrel that October, have put their hearts and souls (along with lots of blood, sweat and tears) into the project – along with a further €400,000.

It’s all paying off as this April they’ll launch the first phase of the renamed Little Island Resort: a café, wine bar and pizzeria. But they didn’t get to this stage without hitting the odd bump in the road, or without emptying countless wheel- barrows of rubble from the site!

The two admit to being impatient and took on large amounts of the work themselves.

“We don’t like to wait around,” said Nicole, “so we’re prepared to try our hands at everything and anything!”

Having got the keys in January, 2023, work started in February and saw them spend four entire months clearing rubbish from the hotel building with shovels and wheelbarrows – squeaky ones!

Looking back, they admit they wouldn’t do that again, especially as it was over the hot summer months, but it’s proof how willing they are to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

They’ve also taken on grouting, wall-building and plastering themselves. Aisling made an impressive statement arched wall in the café which she admits came about from ‘trial and error’, not that you’d know!

They grew up in a household where doing things for themselves was very normal, and learned a lot from their dad who installed the innovative, energy-efficient roof, while their mum painted most of the interior.

“They’re up and down as often as they can and have been really supportive, the whole family is, which is really helpful and motivating as we’re getting close to the finish line,” the girls said.

They have four other sisters and one brother, including Ciara, 23, who has been giving a helping hand to get things started.

They bought a coffee truck from their cousin before Christmas which is open seven days a week at the site entrance and Ciara travels down as often as she can to work there. She runs her own small business, Bakes by Ciara, which are stocked in the van.

Nicole and Aislinn (the second eldest) admit that they came into the daunting project with their ‘eyes wide open,’ and were under no illusion of the task ahead, but nonetheless there was a period that they hit a wall.

“We had been coming to site every day for months and months, from early morning to evening, and we just felt burnt out, especially as things were taking longer than we initially thought.

“We took a break for two months which turned out to be invaluable as it allowed us to regroup,” Aislinn said.

They had been living in a nearby rental, they’ve now moved to a mobile home on-site with fresh enthusiasm and have phase one practically over the line: Café 1964 (the year the hotel opened), and the wine bar/ pizzeria Swim Club, named after the iconic pool in front of the hotel.

In a quirky touch, the pool will be repurposed for sunken seating.

They’ve kept as much of the original building, designed by German architect Klaus Kirsten, as they can.

“I’m obsessed with the original design influenced by Palm Springs,” said Aislinn. “It was so sell planned and executed and was well ahead of its time.”

“Being able to execute this together is such a dream,” said Nicole.

“We have so many more big ideas for this place.”

They include bringing back to life an old kitchen garden on the eight acre site (where there are still onions and carrots popping up), creating a walking track, a tennis court, and more.

Having invested so much, emotionally, physically and financially into the project, their ‘baby’, naturally they’ve protective of it, and have declined offers from various people interested in featuring the renovation on TV.

“We were asked to be part of At Your Service,” said Aislinn, who admits to being ‘obsessed’ with Francis Brennan.

“I’d love to have Francis here, but I just don’t want to be on TV!” she said.

“Aislinn wants her own Netflix show now!” quips Nicole.

They may consider outside investment for the next phase, but say they’d need to be very much on the same page. That’s where the sisters have been since the very start.

“After we viewed the hotel, we both put together a mood board and they were both more or less the exact same thing!” said Nicole.

And of course they wouldn’t be human if they didn’t have the odd argument: “But because we’re sisters. it never lasts for too long!” she adds.

Besides, they haven’t time! Right now the focus is on hiring staff and finalising menus. The hope is that phase one will help finance phase 2. That will either be an upstairs restaurant called ‘Siren’ complete with sea views, or 12 of the 24 bedrooms.

“We know what this will all look like when it’s done, we have the vision, we even have the front door for the lobby in storage and had the gate custom made from very early on. It could take five years, it could take longer, but we’re committed to seeing it through,” said Aislinn.

West Cork very much feels like home now, they say. They love their Sunday sea swims to reset for the week ahead, the hiking, and the outdoor life which meshes well with their personalities.

They love travel – Aislinn wasn’t long home from a two year stint in Canada before moving here – they love watersports and have a shared commitment to climate action and adopted a plant-based lifestyle over six years ago.

Sustainability is a huge part of the project. Solar panels will offset energy costs, and all hot water will be provided by technology on the building’s innovative roof. The plan is also to have an anaerobic digestor for food waste and packaging, rainwater harvesting and more.

The sisters’ energy and enthusiasm is infectious. On the day of our on-site visit they had been up at dawn to help a friend clean out her stables before returning to their resort-in-the-making.

Like we said... sisters doin’ it for themelves!