Wild landscapes and local craft set the tone at Native in County Cork

Photography: Kate Bean

Out on the ragged hem of Ireland’s southwest coast, Native has the look of a smart city abode with the ethos of a low-carbon lodge, nestled in wooded gardens and furnished with handcrafted design. Launched a year ago by Simon and Didi Ronan on the edge of the bohemian village Ballydehob, the Irish guesthouse grew out of a derelict County Cork farm. Simon, who runs the landscape architecture practice SRLA, undertook a scheme to immerse guests in the landscape in the most sustainable way possible, using cast-off materials for the refurb and essential heating from an air source heat pump. Foraged tea and homemade biscuits are served before sessions in the timber-clad sauna, installed deep in the garden. With profits from the three en suite bedrooms — each swathed in hemp plaster and simply furnished in muted tones with pops of National Geographic yellow — the couple has set out to rewild 75 acres nearby with native flora.

And now the property has unveiled three new garden suites. Made from local timber, hemp and wood wool fibre, they have custom oak joinery and large windows from which to enjoy the Ronans’ 2.5 acres. Beds are covered with hand-dyed linens and local Mourne textiles, joining antique sugan chairs and bespoke Cape Clear Island ceramics for a look the couple calls ‘Irish vernacular’. Each has its own private outdoor ‘haven’ with an outdoor bath; the ‘deluxe suite’ boasts its own private sauna.

Those who’ve waited all year to visit will also be able to enjoy Native’s newly restored barn, soon to open as a hub for workshops called the Milking Parlour. Its schedule will include natural wine tastings, foraging classes and a supper club with local ingredients and live music. So ‘immersion’ extends to the local creative culture.

The place feels far removed from the activity in town, but Ballydehob’s main intersection is a few minutes by foot, with more food, beer and music than you can partake of a weekend. And the joys of the Wild Atlantic Way are all around.