Meet Your Host | Breda O'Driscoll

Meet Breda O'Driscoll, B&B host at Sandycove House B&B located in Skibbereen, County Cork. Sandycove House is a superb country house which boasts one of the most amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean in Ireland. Her home is just 100 metres from sandy beach shores and guests truly love the rugged cliff walks around the coastline. Breda has been welcoming guests to her home for several years and has loved every minute of it. Find out about Breda and her stunning B&B below in our weekly 'Meet Your Host'.

What are the hidden gems close to your home?

• Beautiful Sandycove Beach, a stone throw away from our bed & breakfast as well as a stunning coastline ideal for walking and fishing. We are a 5 minute drive from Castletownshend, a picturesque little village steeped with wonderful history. The village hosts a gorgeous harbour filled with sailing and fishing boats in the summer.
• A really pretty castle owned by the Townsend Family built in 1650.
• St Barrahanes Church which has the original Harry Clarke stained glass windows. The award winning
• Mary Ann's Seafood Bar and Restaurant .
• There is an array of other treats in West Cork such as Lough Hyne, Mizen Head, whale and dolphin watching, sea kayaking and beautiful island trips such as Cape Clear and Sherkin Island.

What is your favourite guest story?

It has to be the story of "Betty and Ted". Ted was an Australian man who came to Ireland to research his family heritage. His mother was born in Castletownshend and emmigrated to Australia in the 1920's. On his travels he met a Galway girl from Athenry named Betty who he became very good friends with before his departure. They exchanged details and for decades they wrote to another, visited and 18 years of courtship later, they finally decided to tie the knot and chose Castletownshend, his Mother's birth place for their honeymoon. The story was published in a number of national and local newspapers. I never realised until they arrived to Sandycove Bed & Breakfast just how special this trip was to them.

What is your signature dish/food?

It would have to be my West Cork smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

Is there anything about your home that is quirky?

We have a charming pet donkey at our Bed and Breakfast named "Bertie" in memory of our retired Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Have you ever had any famous guests stay with you?

We were privileged to have Kevin Sharkey a popular Irish poet who held an exhibition in the Warren Art Gallery in Castletownshend.

What is your favourite thing about the area you live in?

The peace and quiet here is just wonderful. Also the scenic views in the area really are breathtaking.

When you are not looking after your guests what is your favourite thing to do?

Irish set dancing. I absolutely adore it!

What are your top three attractions in this country?

• The Giants Causeway.
• The Cliffs of Moher.
• And being completely unbiased, I would have to say Mizen Head.

We'd like to thank Breda for taking the time to share with us an insight into her home. To find out more on Ann's beautiful home and its ideal location, check out Sandycove House Bed and Breakfast.

Stay at Sandycove House

Posted: 02 Apr 2015 by Niall McKee | with 0 comments