Coeliac-Friendly

February 6, 2014 by Dunmanus

Visit the Sheep’s Head, the gluten-free way!

We know it can be difficult to choose accommodation, restaurants and cafés with confidence when you have coeliac disease. Ireland has a high incidence of coeliac disease, and West Cork is a recognised ‘coeliac cluster’. As a result, awareness is generally high, and we’ve highlighted on our website businesses that should be helpful to you.

Of course, we can’t guarantee that the plate in front of you will be gluten-free. You’ll need to exercise your usual caution in choosing options, but we hope our guide makes your task a little bit easier. It’s worth remembering that food businesses here operate on small premises, and don’t have separate kitchens. Across Ireland, you won’t often find separate gluten-free menus, but suitable items on standard menus are normally clearly-marked.

When you’re choosing coeliac-friendly accommodation, both Seamount Farm B&B and Eagle Point Camping are run by people who walk the gluten-free path. Other providers will do their best to support you too.

If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time and staying in self-catering accommodation, contact us and we’ll be happy to share hints and tips with you about shopping for gluten-free food when you’re dealing with unfamiliar brands.

You’ll find that Supervalu in Bantry offers a full range of ‘Free From’ foods, and that other items there, and in Centra Drimoleague, are well-labelled. On the Sheep’s Head peninsula, the general store attached to The Gateway in Durrus is a good spot for picking up supplies.

We hope you’ll find some useful information here about being gluten-free, the Sheep’s Head Way! And don’t hesitate to contact us for advice or with feedback on your experiences.

Find out which businesses along the way are coeliac-friendly …

Heron Gallery Café & Gardens

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

Heron Gallery showcases the work of Annabel Langrish, as well as a unique and unusual collection of objet d’art, prints and original artwork.

Annabel’s compelling paintings focus on the diversity of the wildlife that surrounds us here on the Sheep’s Head peninsula. Heron gallery’s gardens – designed with an artist’s eye – are a great spot to enjoy the gorgeous, wholesome local food you’ll find in the lovely café.

The café serves Fairtrade organic coffee and teas, delicious scones and cakes, and, in summer, simple, wholesome lunches using locally-sourced organic produce. There is a lovely sunny terrace for those precious sunny days and free Wi-Fi can be accessed both inside and outside.

Heron Gallery Gardens

Our garden is open from April to the end of August. Visitors to the gallery and café are welcome to wander around and, if we get advance notice, we can prepare a slow food picnic that you can bring with you.

The organic gardens are informal, with colourful flower beds radiating out from a pond and pergola. There is a wildlife pond and walk around a large pond surrounded by wildflower meadow and young woodland.

We have planted an orchard of Irish heritage apples and you can see our 2 polytunnels and raised vegetable beds. We try to grow all the salads and vegetables we use in the café.

A path takes you up to the natural ridge area where there is a great view down Dunmanus Bay.

All visitors’ donations go towards our garden project which is to construct Ireland’s first barefoot path. Slowly, we are developing our idea for a path where you take off your shoes and experience mindful walking and connection with the earth through walking slowly with bare feet on different surfaces.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Children must be accompanied.

While the Heron Gallery in Ahakista is closed in the winter, you can see and buy Annabel’s work online, and in her Schull, Kinsale and Kenmare stores.

Location:	Ahakista, Co. Cork. Take the right fork in Durrus towards Sheep's Head. After Arundel’s Bar, turn right. We are 300 metres up the hill on the left.
Opening Hours:	The gallery is open throughout the year, seven days a week. The garden is open every day 10.30am to 5.00pm from Easter to end of August.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 67278
Email:
Website:	http://herongallery.ie
	No
TripAdvisor Reviews	Yes
Special Dietary Requirements:	Coeliac-friendly. Vegetarian options.
Google Maps:	No
Facebook:	Yes

Seaview House Hotel

December 30, 2013 by Dunmanus

Welcome to Seaview House Hotel, a delightful 4-star country house hotel set in private and well-tended grounds.

Seaview is ideally-located in the quiet village of Ballylickey beside Bantry in the heart of West Cork. West Cork’s wonderful countryside is all around you here. Meanwhile the historic market town of Bantry is just 4 kilometres away. Seaview is just a short hop from scenic Glengarriff too, in an area famed for its tranquility and unique beauty.

This lovely country house hotel is charm and character personified, and it provides a welcome retreat for the leisure and business traveller alike. Each of the generously large and spacious rooms, including family rooms and mini suites, are individually furnished with fine antiques and charming country house touches.

Located near Ballylickey Bridge over the Ouvane River it commands wonderful views of Bantry Bay from the main rooms. Seaview House is ideally situated for touring the peninsulas of West Cork and the Ring of Kerry. Gougane Barra, Skibbereen, Schull, and Castletownbere are all within easy reach by car.

With a wealth of leisure and sporting activities on our doorstep, it’s the perfect spot to refresh body and soul… Come and experience our piece of heaven.

Fáilte Ireland Rating:	4 Star
Location:	Ballylickey, Co. Cork
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 50073 / 50462
Email:	[email protected]
Winter Hours:	Closed: November 10th until March the 15th, 2015.
Website:	http://seaviewhousehotel.com
	No
	Yes
Facilities:	Restaurant
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@SeaviewHouseHtl

Maritime Hotel

December 22, 2013 by Dunmanus

The Maritime Hotel is set on Bantry Bay amid the rugged Mizen, Sheep’s Head and Beara peninsulas

The stylish Bantry hotel offers spectacular views across the bay from the historic town. You’ll be in easy reach of Bantry House, the Sheep’s Head Way walking route, and the coves and beaches that make West Cork such an appealing destination.

Spend the day sailing on West Cork’s unspoilt waters, pony-trekking through West Cork’s hills, exploring West Cork’s islands, or driving along the West Cork stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way, before returning to the luxury and warm welcome on offer at The Maritime.

The Maritime Hotel’s stylish and luxurious accommodation includes one and two bedroom suites which are ideal for families. The hotel swimming pool and the Club Maritime Leisure Centre are wonderful places to relax and a range of spa treatments are also available.

Taste the seafood chowder in The Maritime Bar, or visit The Ocean Restaurant where flavours from across the world are combined with the finest local ingredients to create a modern Irish dining experience.

A relaxing stay and a warm welcome await you at The Maritime Hotel in West Cork.

Fáilte Ireland Rating:	4 Star
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 54700
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.themaritime.ie
	Yes
	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
TripAdvisor Green Leader Certification:	Platinum
Responsible Tourism Policy:	Yes
Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Facilities:	Restaurant Swimming Pool Leisure Club Spa Facilities
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@MaritimeBantry