The Heron’s Cove

History

The Heron’s Cove Restaurant and B&B, a paradise on a small inlet in West Cork, was built over fifty years ago on the site of an old dwelling.  It was a doctor’s house for many years with a surgery and waiting room.  Then it was a holiday home for a family from Cork.  It was established in 1985 as The Heron’s Cove Restaurant  and B&B by Dick and Sue Hill and our two boys, Richard and Ronan.  In November 1995 it was destroyed by a fire.  It was rebuilt completely with all the modern standards of safety and building while keeping some traditional West Cork features.   We opened again in May 1996. We have been awarded 4**** by Fáilte Ireland (Irish Tourist Board) and AA, AA 1 Rosette for Culinary Excellence, AA Breakfast Award,  AA Guest Accommodation of the Year.

Luckily much was saved from the fire including the Cheese Dish collection, which Sue has been gathering for 50 years. Other collections include dishes by John Verling Pottery, unusual Cruet Sets (salt, pepper and mustard sets), Jugs, Earthenware Jelly Moulds, Sauce dishes and more. Local artists’ work is another reason for collecting (the family call it ‘hoarding’!), but we have run out of wall space.  The house is the opposite of minimalist!

Things to Do

Peace and quietness are our aim. The tide comes and goes in the harbour twice a day with a range of 5m., which gives a natural rhythm to the day.  There is no spa or fitness suite to get in the way of your relaxation. If you are feeling energetic, there are beautiful beach and hill walks. There is plenty to do locally besides that. It is very quiet in the Winter, which has its own charm. We rarely see snow and only occasionally have frost – plenty of Winter gales and rain with warm sunny ‘pet’ days interspersed.  The busy Summer season is from mid-July-mid-August.  Spring and Autumn are lovely times to visit.

Pubs

West Cork, like anywhere else in Ireland, would not be the same without its Irish pubs. In Goleen there are four bars only 100m (300yds) from The Heron’s Cove Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant. The Lobster Pot, O’Meara’s,  Norma’s and The Wild West .

Shops

Not forgetting our emporia in Goleen – Dermot Sheehan, The Goleen Grocer; Martin Collins, Butchers; Oska Factory Outlet, Toormore,  Sarah Jane and Colin’s Along the Way Café, Goleen.  You must call in and meet Jean and Eileen in Mizen Information and e-Centre, Goleen (www.mizenhead.ie) There is a vibrant Community Centre and impressive Sportsfield in Goleen too.

Beaches

We are very lucky to have 3 Flagged beaches in Goleen parish.  Barley Cove Blue Flag beach, Ballyrisode Green Flag beach and Galley Cove Green Flag beach. The community works hard to keep them clean.

Spectacular Mizen Head

Mizen Head with its spectacular cliffs is close by.  The Visitor Centre at Mizen Head Signal Station is a must-experience  visit. www.mizenhead.ie

See the drop down tab Things to Do under Visitor Info for the variety of activities locally available.

Environmental Policy

As a tourism business in West Cork we at The Heron’s Cove are conscious of the impact that our business and our guests have on the environment. We are committed to minimising this impact whilst maintaining an excellent level of service for our guests and not compromising the quality of their holiday.

We aim to:

  • Comply fully with all relevant environmental legislation.
  • Minimise the consumption of fossil fuels through reducing the use of electricity and oil in our property for heating and lighting.
  • Ensure that any new purchases such as electrical appliances are at least ‘A’ rated and are well maintained.
  • Minimise the flow from cisterns, taps and showers by installing new efficient systems or displacement devices
  • Use our biocycle water treatment
  • Cut down on the amount of waste we produce and, where this is unavoidable, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible, taking advantage of the local services and facilities.
  • Change to greener products and supplies such as fair-trade teas and coffee, sustainable paper items and eco friendly cleaners.
  • Be of value to the local community through participation in local groups, events and encouraging charity donations.
  • Encourage low carbon travel and activities by providing local walking, cycling and public transport information for our guests as well as highlighting excellent water sports (Diving, Kayaking) and nature trips that West Cork is famous for (Whale watching, Bird watching).
  • Encourage our guests to experience the best regional food (Skeaghanore Duck, Clonakilty black pudding, Gubbeen, Durrus and Milleens cheeses etc) and culture (Goleen & District Community Council Festival).
  • Continually improve our environmental performance.

We hope that our guests appreciate our unspoilt part of Ireland as much as we do and that they will help us maintain its natural beauty.

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