Does anyone know the name and location of the guest house in a former Sisters of Mercy convent in West Cork that Pete McCarthy describes in Chapter Six of McCarthy's Bar? He raves about both the accommodations and the food in the restaurant, but he is mysterious about the name of the establishment. From his description, it is on the coast, somewhere east of Skibbereen,and it overlooks a ruined abbey. We will be visiting that area next year and would like to stay and/or eat there.
Without digging out the book which I have somewhere! Kilclman Rectory springs to mind as a posibility. remember though it is some time since the book was written.
I think that might be it. Thanks for finding it for Carolyn. I didn't have time for the book either being just back from Ireland and trying to get back to work.
Thanks for your posts. Kilcolman's Rectory is beautiful and in the right general area but it's not the place McCarthy referenced. It is inland. The place McCarthy described was on the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking a ruined abbey. Maybe McCarthy imagined it!! Or maybe it's not there any more.
Unfortunately Pete died a few years ago now so the secret will remain that way. I might hazard a guess that the Abbey would have been Timoleague Abbey but as to the B&B?? Quite possibly no more? There are options along the coast rd, But it's not an area I have travelled recently.
If you are looking for scenery and a boutique B&B try Henry's (linked to above). It is set on a cliff overlooking the ocean and Galley Head lighthouse. There is a beach down below. Really nice.
The guest house mentioned in Pete McCarthy's book was Lettercollum House in Timoleague. Sadly it was sold some years ago and is now a private house. The couple who ran the business now operate Lettercollum Kitchen Project based in Clonakilty.