Brought to you by Mossie’s. 

Put on your cosiest jumper and grab a hot chocolate.

As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, it’s time to plan an autumn staycation.

Of course, you could pick a random hotel and hope for the best, but if you like your rustic Irish getaways with a generous dollop of luxury (hi that’s us) set your GPS and set off into the magical mist to Adrigole, just 15 minutes from Glengarriff and Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork.

A little-known hideaway with stellar reviews, Mossie’s is a beautifully restored 19th-century country house set on seven acres of mature woodlands, just a stone’s throw from the staggering heights and bendy roads of The Healy Pass.

The house is located at the bottom of the Beara Way, an enjoyable 30-minute walk to Sugar Loaf Mountain.

It’s run by Vanessa and her partner Matti, who moved to Ireland from Germany and Canada in 2019 with the intention of creating something special for guests.

Boasting a solid background in five-star hospitality and customer service around the world, they set out to create a retreat with a laid-back luxury vibe, “something of a setting for delicious food and great conversations”.

“We were looking for new challenges and a different lifestyle and this was undoubtedly the perfect place for us,” Vanessa told Yay Cork.

Slumber in silence

Mossie’s might be off the beaten track, but it’s earned an impressive overall rating of 9.8 on Booking.com, thanks to the happy guests who keep returning:

“We love to make our guests feel spoiled but stuffy formality isn’t our style – so expect luxurious with a down-to-earth edge,” explains Vanessa.

All five bedrooms in the main house are individually designed with soothing colours and bespoke fabrics. Two of the deluxe rooms share a balcony with a view overlooking Bantry Bay and rolling gardens.

Surrounded by the ocean and mountains, the silence after dark makes for a magical night’s sleep amongst the sateen sheets, duck-down duvets and fluffy pillows.

A few steps away from the house is Mossie’s self-catering home, known as Hanno’s Workshop.

A unique and cosy space which can sleep two, the high ceilings, brick walls, exposed copper plumbing and beautifully preserved antiques give a New York warehouse feel, ideal for honeymooners and guests who enjoy their own space to relax.

Vanessa and Matti are in the process of transforming an old farm ruin located outside a beautiful pine forest into an outdoor sauna too. This cosy addition will soon be available to guests during their stay.

Breakfast like a king 

A hearty breakfast is served every morning from 8am to 10am, with all dietary needs catered for (the menu is flexible and can be customised accordingly.)

Alongside the hot menu, you can expect local produce, freshly baked bread, French pastries, Irish yoghurt and jams, fresh fruit and plenty of tea and good coffee.

“Our breakfast service is relaxed and informal. We strongly believe starting the day with a nourishing breakfast is an essential part of our guest’s stay,” says Vanessa.

“The ingredients we use are top quality and wherever possible, locally sourced. You can enjoy all this in our light-filled conservatory, which offers breathtaking views of the sea and gardens.”

And if you’d like some nibbles to enjoy with a great bottle of wine, they can provide that too: “We will be serving a locally sourced and homemade grazing board during fall and winter, which can be pre-booked when making a reservation.”

Want to book the whole place? No problem…

The property is also open for exclusive rentals and can accommodate up to 12 adults between the main house and Hanno’s Workshop.

Whether it is for an intimate wedding, a hen party, a creative workshop, a family reunion or just a special get-together, it’s a magical setting for making special memories.

“We’re so grateful to be surrounded by such awe-inspiring landscapes and the Beara Peninsula often flies under the radar compared to its more famous neighbours, but in truth, it’s a hidden gem with so much to offer,” adds Vanessa.

“Many of our guests end up wishing they had stayed here longer.”

Looking for activities to enjoy during your stay? Check out Mossie’s top 20 favourite things to do on Beara here.

B&B rates at Mossie’s start at €130 per night (book directly for the best rate).

Rooms (pick your favourite here) are available through 2023 in the main house and in Hanno’s Workshop and Mossie’s is currently taking bookings for 2024. Email mossiesbb@gmail.com or fill out a contact form here.