Michael O' Neill of Fernhill House

Fernhill House and Gardens stands out as a family-run treasure.   The Sunday Show travelled to this 27-bed hideaway based in a Georgian mansion which has been developed by four generations of O’Neills and we chatted to its current owner, Michael O' Neill.  The stunning gardens were designed by Mary Reynolds and range from the perfect wedding photo spots to beds of wild flowers, all promoting biodiversity.  The West Cork hotel is hugely popular for weddings and short stay leisure breaks.   Michael tells me - "We are lucky to be located in West Cork which has been named the best food destination in Ireland. This is down to our Wild Atlantic Way coastline providing an abundance of fresh fish, gorgeous green countryside which is ideal pasture for our food and also the magic of West Cork that gives it the highest concentration of craft producers in Ireland" The O’Neill family have baked, grown and expertly served food for generations and it shows.  

 

The new Michael Collins trail is worth checking out.  The Trail follows Collins’ birthplace, the West Cork Regional Museum and Michael Collins House in Clonakilty, while also linking to the ambush site at Beal na Blath, the Independence Museum in Kilmurry and the Michael Collins Centre outside Clonakilty. There are alternative routes signposted which take in Bandon and Newcestown, and the trail is also signposted from the N22 at Crookstown.