Inish Beg is a private island estate in West Cork just a few miles from the thriving market town of Skibbereen and the idyllic little port of Baltimore with its sailing, fishing and diving centres. Paul and Georgiana Keane, have undertaken a uniquely sympathetic renovation and rejuvenation of this island paradise. The Estate with its beautiful woodlands, parkland, farmland, gardens and foreshore will enchant all who choose Inish Beg for their self catering holidays in West Cork Ireland.
Paul & Georgiana Keane have spent the past few years making Inish Beg the pinnacle of luxury self catering accommodation in West Cork.
They acquired The Inish Beg Estate, in an overgrown and neglected state in September 1997. The intervening years have seen many changes and developments, with more planned as the Estate is being gradually brought back to life.
The history of Inish Beg Island goes back to ancient times - you can see the remains of a Cromlech in a field to your left as you drive out, and Souterrains have also been found. The Estate today comprises 97 acres, at the eastern end of the Island:
* 42 of these are birdsong-filled woodlands which are being sympathetically managed.
* 42 acres are green fields sweeping down to the Ilen Estuary where Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep and ponies graze, for this is a working farm run on organic principles.
* The remaining 13 acres is taken up with buildings and gardens.
Inish Beg House
Inish Beg House itself is at the heart with 8 self-catering houses spaced near and far across the Estate; 5 Courtyard Cottages surround the old stable yard; The Boat House is right on the Ilen River; The Lodge sits in the corner of a far field; and The Foresters House is, as you would expect, deep in the woodland. The accommodation won the 2004 All-Ireland Rural Tourism Award. Each unit has its own individually designed garden.
Under the direction of architect Tony Cohu the building team have restored Inish Beg House and estate buildings. Around the estate, ruins of old cottages and outbuildings have been transformed into luxury self catering accommodation. Any new construction has been carefully undertaken to fit into the special setting of Inish Beg, using traditional materials and design ideas.
The Lodge Holiday Home
* The original stable block has been converted into to the Courtyard Holiday Cottages The Lodge Self Catering Cottage has been constructed on the site of an earlier ruined cottage whose stone has been used to face the new lodge.
* The ruins of the former Boathouse have undergone a metamorphosis into a Luxury Holiday Home.
* The Foresters House Self Catering Cottage: The Foresters House is an idyllic newly built wooden cottage set in its own 10 Acre Woodland.
The Gardens & Woodlands
With the help of a team of gardeners and woodsmen, led by the well known garden designer Verney Naylor, they have replanted the extensive gardens, developed two new woodland gardens and restored the orchard.
The walled garden has been restored. Here you will find a beautifully designed indoor swimming pool.
The farm and gardens provide ample produce for the Estate. Beekeeping has evolved beyond a hobby and the Keane's now produce and sell their own Inish Beg Honey
Paul & Georgiana have overseen widespread replanting in the woodland and have had extensive carriage drives built around the estate for you to enjoy on foot or in their horse drawn miniature carriage while enjoying the luxury of the self catering accommodation during your holidays at Inish Beg Estate. Read about bird watching & other wildlife at Inish Beg.
