Hotel Landmark Review: Gougane Has Breathtaking Views West Of The Barra Hotel An Iconic Cork

Hotel review: The Gougane Barra Hotel has breathtaking views of an iconic West Cork landmark — Hotel, Cork The West Gougane Barra

Sun, 12 May, 2024 - 17:53

Thom Breathnach

Location

Nestled across from the national treasure of St Finbarr’s Oratory, as well as the lough and mountains which buttress it, Gougane Barra Hotel in the heart of West Cork’s Gaeltacht Mhúsrcraí, surely takes dibs on one of the county’s most magical locations.

The breath-taking scene conjures the comparison to an Irish version of blockbuster Lake Bled. However, but for the café and gift shop next door to the hotel, this serene valley remains miraculously underdeveloped.

You can still expect throngs to descend (and ascend) here throughout the high season, but come evening as the hikers and day-trippers retreat, hotel guests can largely enjoy this epic, poetic, and pretty iconic setting all to themselves.

10/10

Style and design

Enter into the hotel’s original lobby and you’re greeted with a bolt of throwback nostalgia, from the reception’s elegant double staircase to the profusion of Victorian tiles.

A residents-only sitting room off the lobby proudly features original 1930s armchairs to one of the final offerings from Youghal Carpets.

Adjacent to it, there’s a gorgeous nook-style bar, loaded with character.

The décor does feel “busy” and additions like cabinets of antique doll collections may jar with minimalists.

However, it’s refreshing to visit an Irish property which doesn’t feel overly governed by cookie-cutter Pinterest trends.

8/10

Service

Celebrating 20 years at the helm this year, Neil Lucey and his wife Katy Vaughan are the sixth generation of the same family to run this landmark property.

The charming couple come from the hands-on hotelier school. I stumble upon Katy outside the hotel as I arrive, plucking herbs and garnishes for dinner while Neil is front of house at the restaurant, welcoming guests with a warm cúpla focail.

That warmth extends from management throughout all the team here, and with the consistent warmth and pep, it feels like a lovely place to work.

10/10

Rooms

The hotel is home to just 25 recently refreshed rooms, which gives the property an intimate personable feel.

I am staying in one of the hotel’s lakeside rooms, where vistas overlooking the oratory are truly world-class.

The room itself is perhaps a little pared back compared to some four stars nowadays, but it’s fresh, clean, and perfectly comfortable.

It’s worth noting that most rooms, even to the rear and side of the property, also feature charming pastoral views — with spring lambs grazing at leisure beneath the Shehy Mountains.

7/10

In-room perks

There’s a kettle, instant coffee and tea and a small wall-mounted TV.

6/10

On the menu

Dinner is served in the hotel’s traditional dining room, with most tables offering lakeside views.

They offer two evening sittings at 6pm and 8pm, and I avail of the former to (successfully) grab the sunset later. Seasonal, local food is the time-honoured ethos here.

My starter of local Toonsbridge mozzarella is served with delicious greens, and tomatoes and garnished with basil, dill, and primroses I’d seen Katy plucking earlier from the garden.

This is followed by the catch of the day, pan-seared Union Hall lemon sole, with fried baby potatoes, asparagus, red onion jam, and garden sage butter, while a Gougane Mess dessert with delicious meringues and raspberry coulis caps an extremely satisfying meal.

The superb value is worth noting too, a three-course meal costing €43 (supplements for some dishes apply).

Breakfast the next morning features a small buffet (featuring just baked highlights including porter cake and banana and walnut muffins, as well as cooked-to-order options).

I ordered the scrambled eggs served with herby potato rosti and a bean and tomato ragu.

The table next to me hailed the porridge as the best they’d ever had.

10/10

Activities and amenities

Gougane Barra Hotel lets the natural beauty of the area and its surroundings do the talking.

Being so close to Gougane Barra Forest Park (often overlooked by visitors), hiking is a popular draw here and Katy and Neil are expertly versed on the best routes.

You can also hire bikes, e-bikes, and rowing boats from the hotel from €15 per day.

7/10