This West Cork Cottage Comes With A Pool, A Funky Interior + Amazing Views

I first came across Laharandota while hunting for some of the most unusual places to stay in Ireland, and between the setting, the old stone buildings and the outdoor swimming pool, it immediately stood out.

Set on the southern side of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, around 4 miles from Kilcrohane, the property looks out across Dunmanus Bay towards Mizen Head.

It’s peaceful, remote and surrounded by some of West Cork’s finest scenery. And, yes, there really is a swimming pool.

A beautifully restored West Cork hideaway

Laharandota consists of two old stone buildings, The Studio and The Cottage, which were fully renovated in 2009.

Plenty of the original character has been retained, but the interiors have been given a comfortable modern makeover that makes this much more than an old cottage in a nice location.

The smaller Studio sleeps 4 and has a kitchen and lounge area, a sunroom with sea views and two sleeping areas. Upstairs, there’s a king bedroom overlooking the surrounding countryside and sea.

The larger Cottage next door sleeps 6 and has 3 bedrooms along with a large open-plan kitchen and living area, an open fire, a Rayburn range cooker and another sunroom positioned to make the most of the views.

You can rent the two properties separately or book both if you’re travelling with a larger group.

Have a nosey inside

The renovation has done a great job of keeping the character of the old stone buildings while adding everything you’d want for a comfortable stay.

The Studio has a kitchen and lounge area along with a sunroom overlooking the sea. The sunroom has a day bed and trundle that can be made into a king or twin beds, while upstairs there’s another king bedroom with sea views and its own en-suite.

The larger Cottage has 3 bedrooms along with a big open-plan kitchen and living area, complete with an open fire, Rayburn range cooker and farmhouse-style kitchen table.

There’s another sea-facing sunroom here, too, so neither property is exactly short of places to sit and admire the scenery.

The views and the pool

The location is what originally caught my eye. Laharandota looks out across Dunmanus Bay towards the Mizen Peninsula, with the West Cork countryside rolling away around the property.

The sea views can be enjoyed from several spots inside, including the sunrooms and bedrooms, but you’ll also have your own patio and garden area outside.

On a clear morning, coffee with that view spread out in front of you would be hard to beat. And then there’s the pool… Yep, a swimming pool on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula!

There’s a small outdoor pool in the grounds that’s shared between The Studio and The Cottage when both are occupied. There’s also a BBQ and a couple of adult bikes available, so you’ve plenty of excuses to spend time outside when the West Cork weather plays ball.

And when it doesn’t? A quick dip followed by a rapid retreat to the fire sounds like a fairly solid Plan B.

Discover more unique places to stay in Ireland

The stays above are just a handful of the wonderfully weird places you can spend a night around Ireland.

You’ll find plenty more in my guide to the most unique stays in Ireland, along with everything from treehouses and cabins to bell tents in my guide to the best places to go glamping in Ireland.

1. The Tranquil Tigín

You have to walk 300 metres across a meadow to reach this tiny off-grid cabin in the Wicklow Mountains.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a mezzanine king bed, enormous countryside-facing window, copper outdoor bath and fire pit, with a wood-fired sauna a short stroll away.

2. Grove Treehouse with hot tub

This adults-only West Cork treehouse sleeps 2 and comes with a roll-top bath opposite the bed and a private two-person hot tub amongst the trees.

You reach it via tree-trunk steps before stepping inside to an open-plan bedroom, kitchen and living area, with French doors opening onto a large private deck.

3. The Ballybunion Beach House

Breakers Beach House sits right beside Ladies Beach in Ballybunion, with the Atlantic filling the view from the house.

It sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and has Ballybunion’s beaches and Cliff Walk on its doorstep, along with a hot outdoor shower for warming up after a swim or surf.

4. The Hidden Haven

The Hidden Haven is a luxury lodge for 2 in the hills of West Cork with its own lake, a wood-fired hot tub and a deck stretching over the water.

There’s a super king bed and bath with a view inside, while stone steps outside lead straight into the lake when you fancy undoing all the good work of the hot tub.

5. Balance Treehouse

The Balance Treehouse in County Armagh is reached via a private rope bridge and sits high amongst the trees overlooking the Ring of Gullion.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a glass roof above the bed, private hot tub, outdoor shower and a large outdoor net where you can kick back and admire the surrounding hills.

6. Dolphin Beach Lodge

Dolphin Beach Lodge sits just metres from the Atlantic on Connemara’s Sky Road, with Clifden Bay outside the windows and a secluded beach directly in front.

The lodge sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and, despite the wonderfully remote-feeling setting, you’re only around a 10-minute drive from Clifden.

7. The Hide at Neadú

With its grass-covered roof and views towards Glenveagh, The Hide at Neadú is one of Donegal’s more unusual little cabins.

Inside you’ll find reclaimed and upcycled pieces, an alcove double bed and wood-burning stove, while double doors open onto a private deck overlooking the surrounding mountains and valley.