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2009 was our twelfth year at Inish Beg and though the weather was disappointing in the summer we had a glorious spring and late autumn. Christmas and New Year brought exceptionally cold weather with brilliant clear days and bright sunshine. Although the economic recession hit hard in Ireland this year Inish Beg fared pretty well; with many guests of previous years returning as always and introducing their friends and family to our West Cork haven. Our low-season Special Offer Activity Breaks proved very popular and we offered these in co-operation with several leisure activity providers in the locality. Read more about Special Offer Activity Breaks on our website.
 We are delighted that the latest edition of The Bridgestone Irish Food Guide lists Inish Beg for its honey and self catering properties. It is the only self catering property in Ireland recommended.
A fourth bedroom has been added to the award-winning Boat House which can now accommodate eight people. The good news is that we are now back to 2005 rates. In addition we are now offering to recipients of this newsletter 10% off 2010 prices for all bookings for periods up to 25th June of more than two days duration which are made by St Valentines Day, 14th February. To avail of this offer please put "SO Code 0110" in the "how did you hear about us" box on the online Booking Enquiry Form.
Weddings - Visit Site
In May 2008 we hosted our first wedding ceremony at the Boat House and that was the first of many such happy events with 2009 bringing a large increase in the number of wedding parties here. These were customised events ranging from intimate parties for up to 60 guests at The Boat House to a Marquee Wedding on the waterfront grounds for 620 guests. The recently completed sunken garden with fountain provides a spectacular backdrop for those special wedding photographs. Cookery & Good Food - Visit Site
Starting in 2008 we ran several cookery courses with Sue Holland and Ian Parr and though Sue and Ian could not return to Inish Beg in 2009 due to opening their new restaurant in France we were delighted to welcome Clodagh McKenna to Inish Beg. She ran two Cookery Courses here in September which proved very popular, following the release of her book and RTE series of the same title “Fresh From The Sea”.
Our November cookery course, “Artisan Baking & Edible Gifts”, hosted by the experienced and gifted pastry chef and baker, Jackie Lanigan Ryan, proved so popular that we repeated it in early December. Jackie will definitely be returning to share even more of her culinary secrets with her eager students in 2010.
Our Organic Farm produces organic lamb which is butchered locally and sold directly to our discerning customers. We were very pleased that our first organic oats were supplied to Flahavans for their famous organic porridge oats and our guests always enjoy our fruit and vegetables. Inish Beg honey was really in demand locally as it was the third poor year in a row for bees and honey production in Ireland. Irish Water Sports - Visit Site
 Another busy year for Irish Water Sports based here at Inish Beg. As always there were several ISA Power Boating Courses throughout the year with almost all participants achieving their National Power Boat certification – a must in many countries when hiring powerboats. Our RIB rentals as always were very popular with all those holidaying in Baltimore, Schull, Glandore, etc who have a yen for getting on the water safely and independently but without the expense of purchasing and maintaining their own boat. Likewise our “Great Days Out” proved popular with those lacking boating know-how who wish to explore the local coastline with an experienced guide and boatman at the helm and enjoy a gourmet picnic on one of Carbery’s 100 Isles into the bargain. All of these proved very popular as gifts – gift vouchers are also available.
The Restoration of The Ilen - Visit Site
Photo: Ilen refitting launch; including Jeremy Irons, Lord Puttnam, Brother Anthony Keane, Paul & Georgiana Keane  A Snow Covered Inish Beg
11th January 2010 gone by the 12th  West Cork Walking Festival came to Inish Beg in 2009
 Take the Sherkin Island Ferry for a great day out! We wish you all a very happy 2010
and hope to see you and welcome you
to Inish Beg during the year
Paul & Georgiana |
Discount for our readers!
10% off for all bookings for periods up to 25th June of more than two days duration which are made by St Valentines Day, 14th February. To avail of this offer please put "SO Code 0110" in the "how did you hear about us" box on the online Booking Enquiry Form.
In this issue:
- Overview of 2009
- Special Offer Activity Breaks - Weddings at Inish Beg - Cookery & Good Food - Water Sports @ Inish Beg - Restoration of the Ilen - Festivals/Events @ Inish Beg 2009 - Festivals in Baltimore 2010 - Mailing List Information Avoid Disappointment Book Your 2010 Break Now! - Ring +353 (0)28 21745 - reservations@inishbeg.com - Booking/Enquiry Form The peak period from June to mid-September books up quickly and, unfortunately, we have to turn many people away. Vintage Car Rally
 As the vintage car rally 2008 was such a resounding success it was repeated in mid-June 2009 with a wonderful array of vehicles participating. We hope the course this year did not prove too challenging and we will have even more interest next year! Visit Site Garden Trail and Charity Days
 While the gardens were not open to the general public this year we did host some gardening group visits by appointment and on June 28th the gardens were especially open for a fundraising event in aid of the Cork Simon Community. Despite inclement weather, this was really well supported and over Euro3,000 was raised through entrance fees, sales of plants, home baking, refreshments, pony and carriage rides, and drives in some of the very special vintage cars from the Inish Beg Vintage Collection.
 This year the Inish Beg Gardens will feature in the West Cork Garden Trail which runs from 12th June to 27th June 2010 but groups are also welcome by appointment outside of these times. www.westcorkgardentrail.com
Throughout the year Baltimore, Skibbereen and indeed West Cork as a whole, host a huge variety of festivals featuring music and dancing, art and literature, drama, artisan and seafood, traditional boats, horses, vintage cars, old time threshing, road bowling, etc and there are also the annual agricultural shows and coastal regattas on weekends throughout the summer so you are sure to find something to interest you in the locality. To mention just a few with a special interest for Inish Beg:
Baltimore Fiddle Fair www.fiddlefair.com
The first fiddle fair took place in 1992 and it has now established itself as one of the favourite music festivals in Ireland with some of the most loved and respected Irish and International artists in this genre taking part. It is an intimate festival and is hugely encouraging especially of young budding fiddle players with master classes taking place in some very special venues (including at Inish Beg). The concerts are fantastic but the sessions around the concerts in all of the local venues give this festival its special home grown flavour and May is the very best time of the year for the Inish Beg woodland gardens and to see this beautiful part of the country - if you can get away. Walking Festival
The walking festivals in Spring and Autumn provide an opportunity to experience the secluded beauty and colourful history and culture of the Baltimore area and the inhabited islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin and Heir. Arise at Inish Beg with the sun and set off through the autumnal woods with your guide and group to the sound of the Dawn Chorus…… stop off for a hearty breakfast at a local hostelry; set out for the hills of Lough Hyne Nature Reserve, or hop aboard one of the island ferries to take you to places apart from even the unspoiled rural mainland. After a healthy and companionable day out join with new friends and enjoy a night of good food and entertainment in Baltimore’s pubs and restaurants.
More Festival/Events in 2010: Fri 16 - Sun 18 April Baltimore Fiddle Fair Second Weekend in May Baltimore Seafood Festival Last Weekend in May Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival 28 - 30 May Baltimore Walking Weekend Third Weekend in June O'Driscoll Clan Gathering Last Weekend in June Sherkin Shindig Date TBA Lough Ine Challenge Triathlon Sat 17 July Sherkin Regatta 3rd Weekend in July Baltimore Regatta 1st Weekend in August Cape Clear Regatta Wed after Aug bank holiday Baltimore Sea Angling Festival 26 - 29 August Cape Clear Storytelling 1st Weekend in September Baltimore Walking Weekend 1st Weekend in October Fastnet Rally October Bank Holiday Weekend The Glebe Amphitheatre Various Dates |
This course coincided with the RTE Nationwide’s program featuring Baltimore and Inish Beg - 
The Cookery Courses for Children and Teenagers, which was launched last summer at the request of parents who were guests here, took place again this year with more than double the numbers participating and we plan to run more young people’s courses in summer 2010. Also, we have run several courses for special groups, e.g. hen parties weekending here. 
The restoration of The Ilen, Ireland’s last remaining coastal trading boat in existence, has made substantial progress at Hegarty’s Boatyard at Oldcourt, just one mile from Inish Beg. From this January, regular monthly three day workshops are being held where you can learn from and work with some of Ireland's few remaining traditional shipwrights, refitting Ireland's sole surviving sea-going sailing ship. Come and stay at Inish Beg and be introduced to traditional West Cork wooden boat building.