Bed in Barn

Cosy Campfire-Sounds of Silence

Welcome to Benji’s self-catering Bed in Barn, nestled in the heart of the Ox Mountains in the North West of Ireland.

Just off the Wild Atlantic Way, between Dromore-West and Tubbercurry

BenjI’s Bed in Barn is run by the Dutch couple Benjamin van de Wetering and Ineke Scholte. They speak Dutch, English and German and tiny bit of French and Portugues

Benjamin and myself are happy to ‘share’ this lovely, special place with you.

Tucked away in the unspoilt Ox Mountains it is the ideal screen-free place to ‘get away from it all’, where the only call is that of nature beckoning you to explore it. This hidden gem is an ideal retreat for nature lovers, artists, or a romantic break away. Be embraced by the four seasons, bird song in spring, buzz of bees in summer, amber colours in autumn and the dark sky in winter. Reconnect with nature in our Back to Basics Bed in Barn and all this for a flat rate without surcharges!

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The Bed in Barn is a characteristic converted hay barn and used to be part of a ‘small holding’. This new built and fully equipped accommodation – between the old pillars of the 5m high hay barn – is situated on its own private plot adjacent to BenjI’s cottage and The Ox BinderyPiggelmeebooks & Blackboards, a conservation/bookbinding studio and gift shop.

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The Bed in Barn consists of :

  • kitchen/dining area with wood fired range and electrical hob
  • bedroom en suite
  • living room with couch/spare beds
  • bathroom with toilet and shower
  • rain and drinking water from our bored well
  • fully insulated with double walls, windows and roof
  • solar panels

Covered outside area with a 1 acre garden, swing bench and possibilities for barbecue and camp fire.

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In 2017 14 Solar PV panels are installed, generating electricity and, in case of a surplus, hot water. (iBoost)

The Bed in Barn has space for 6 guests, but extra sleeping places are possible either in another building or by setting up a small tent. Please do contact us and we will discuss the possibilities.

See right column for pricing.

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Extra information

The space

The Bed in Barn is a characteristic converted hay barn on its own 1 acre private plot. The hay barn with its arched roof on pillars was a common outbuilding on the Irish small farm and used to be a part of a ‘small holding. Staying in the Barn will give you a back-to-basics experience.

The Barn is carefully converted into a new eco-friendly accommodation, retaining the old 5 m high pillars and its ‘barn’ character.

Take a stroll through the landscaped garden, enjoy the view on the valley and the mountains from your swing bench in the covered outdoor area, light a ciggie or make a barbeque without being rained upon.

When you enter the Barn you step back in time. The rustic kitchen downstairs has a pantry with crockery and cutlery; a fridge, a kettle, pots and pans and utensils to cook up a meal on the a wood fired ‘old world’ range. For a quick stir fry there is an electric hob. (Please note, NO OVEN provided). In the pantry you will also find some ingredients for a (basic) breakfast, porridge, cereals, tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, pepper and salt.

From the kitchen a slightly steep staircase leads you up to the master bedroom ensuite and livingroom/bedroom.

The master bedroom has a king size bed and a queens wardrobe, a chest and a wash basin. Linen, towels, shampoo and a hairdryer are provided.
Situated between the bedroom and the living room, you will find the bathroom with a shower using rainwater heated by the range downstairs. An electric shower is standby to sprinkle a hot drop on you if the water from the range has gone cold.

Then there is the spacious living room/bedroom with reclining chairs and a couch that can be converted to a single bed or a double bed. If needed extra beds can be added. From this room you can enter the (ensuite) bathroom as well.

You can throw a dice on one of the board games or loose yourself in a book.

We harvest rainwater to flush the toilet, take a shower, do the dish wash (left tap, hot water). Fresh drinking water (right tap, cold water) comes from our own well with its filtration system

The main heat source is a wood burner (range) downstairs. It heats the water and the upstairs radiators. It is also the main hob for cooking – although an electric hob is available. Upon arrival you will get instructions how to light the fire in the range. Plenty of fire wood is at your disposal. We are happy to help you out on getting a fire going.

On the roof 14 Solar PV panels are installed. It generates electricity and if there is a surplus, it goes into the Power diverter and will heat the water in the tank to provide hot water for the radiators and the shower as well.

Guest access

The Bed in Barn is situated on 1 acre private plot, with a natural landscaped garden, lower wetland surrounded by forestry and a view on the mountains.

You can make a campfire as well. (see the images).
You can gather your wood in the forest or on our land, but please do not use the chopped wood to heat the barn. Feel free to bring you own logs/briquettes.

Other things to note

ECO – FRIENDLY and BACK-TO-BASICS

To stay at the Bed in Barn is not only a “Back-to-Basics” experience but also a way of stay to get more aware of the environment and (limited) energy resources. We fell our own trees or gather wood, harvest rainwater, there is a bored well with a filtration system for drinking water and solar panels for electricity and heating the water.

NO Oven, NO Microwave, No Freezer:)

MOBILE + WIFI
Depending on your provider you may have mobile reception in the barn. If not, you can walk up the road/hill for 50 m. and you will/may catch a signal. The nearest towns, Tubbercurry (15 km) and Ballina (20 km) do have internet cafes. The Bed in Barn is the ideal place to wind down from the internet.

TOURIST INFORMATION
In the Barn you will find a ringbinder full of tourist information/leaflets/walking trails, things to do etc. to make it easy to plan your trip. I will be at hand to answer any questions you may have.

HOT WATER and HEATING
On the top of the roof 14 Solar PV panels are installed, generating electricity and – in case of a surplus – hot water.
The range (woodburner/stove) in the kitchen is equipped with a back boiler. it provides hot water for the taps, radiators and the shower, but we have a back up system for the shower (electric shower). The range is also the main source for the central heating. To avail of hot water and heating, guests have to fuel the range as it was done in the old days and is still done by some who live in cottages.

WARM CLOTHES
As the Barn is (central) heated by the range (woodburner), it takes some time to heat the water and the building. In this modern times, most people are used to an instant heating system by just switching on the thermostat, so it is advisable to bring warm clothes especially in autumn and winter.

During the summer time it is advisable to bring some insect spray that will the midges (small mosquito’s) staying away

CHILDREN AND INFANTS
Kids under 2 of years are free of charge. As we have listed the Bed in Barn as not suitable for infants, (safety reasons) bringing your infant is at your own risk. If you wish to bring your infant to the Bed in Barn please note that the staircase is pretty steep, a flue liner is running through the master bedroom (from the range in the kitchen) and there is a concrete floor in the kitchen with a coconut carpet. We do NOT provide a travel cot, but feel free to bring your own travel cot if you wish. There is enough space for it in the master bedroom. As we have no waste collection and you wish to bring your toddler/baby we kindly request guests to bring the NAPPIES home. We do provide fuel for our guests. If you wish to bring your infant and feel it is a bit too cold, please do bring extra fuel.

LAUNDERETTE/LAUNDROMAT
You will find a launderette in Tubbercurry (15 km) and the petrol station at the corner of the bypass offers a 24/7 laundromat .

CLEANING AND BREAKAGE
Our Bed in Barn is presented clean and tidy. Please leave it in the same manner. If there are breakages/damages please let us know before you leave.
We also provide an OOPS:) jar to compensate for small damages.

WASTE
As we have no waste collection and we have to bring waste to the recycling centre, please do separate your waste into the provided bags, plastic, bottles and cans, paper. (general) in the bucket. Please do  take your litter (general waste) with you when you check out.

The open STAIRCASE is a bit steep and has one grab rail.

You can make a CAMPFIRE, gather your own wood, but please do not use the fuel that is provided to heat the Bed in Barn (as chopped wood, turf etc)
For safety reasons, we do not allow that our guests use any liquid to start/keep going, the campfire. Please use firelighters, kindles etc.

PRICING – EXTRA GUESTS
Some guests wish to invite friends to visit them or to stay a night. Our BASIC /FROM price is based on 2 guests. We charge a fee for every guest after 2 guests..

Contrary to the rhythm of the marketplace, we have a FLAT RATE per night throughout all seasons of the year!

REMOTE LOCATION
The Bed in Barn is located in the heart of the Ox Mountains and very remote.
There are hiking trails and 2 lakes within 6 km. If you wish to explore more own transport is essential

Extra sleeping options for nature lovers
Enough outdoor space for family/friends gatherings

All guests are welcome who use the Bed in Barn and outdoors in a respectful way.


What this place offers

Scenic views

  • Garden view
  • Mountain view
  • Valley view

Bathroom

Bedroom & laundry

Family

  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Hot water
  • Shower gel

  • Essentials
  • Towels,
  • bed sheets, soap and toilet paper
  • Hangers
  • Bed linen
  • Extra pillows and blankets
  • Children’s books and toys
  • Fireplace guards
  • Window guards
  • Baby safety gates
  • Table corner guards

Heating

Home safety

Office

Central heating

  • Smoke alarm
  • Carbon monoxide alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Dedicated workspace
  • A desk or table with a chair and space for a laptop.
  • NO INTERNET

Kitchen & dining

Location features

Outdoor

  • KitchenSpace where guests can cook their own meals
  • Refrigerator
  • Cooking basics
  • Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper
  • Dishes and silverware
  • Bowls, chopsticks, plates, cups, etc.
  • Stove
  • Private patio or balcony
  • Private backyard – Not fully fenced
  • An open space on the property usually covered in grass
  • BBQ grill
  • Private entrance
  • Separate street or building entrance
  • Launderette nearby

Parking

Services

NOT INCLUDED

Free parking on premises

Host greets you

  • Security cameras on property
  • WifI
  • TV
  • Washing machine
  • Air conditioning

Where you’ll be

Cloonacool, Sligo, Ireland

The Bed in Barn is situated between Lough Easky and Lough Talt great for fishing and water activities. Tucked away in the heart of the Ox Mountains it is the ideal place for hiking, walking, cycling and horse riding. Cycle tracks and walking trails and loop walks run in the vicinity.
Horse riding through the fields is offered in Ballina, Island View Riding Stables (between Sligo and Bundorran) offers also beach riding. If you are a surfer Easkey and Enniscrone is a quick drive across the mountain. Wild Wet Adventures offers water activities on a.o. Lough Talt or explore lakes etc by – guided – Sligo Kayak Tours . Awesome adventure tours offers kayaking in the Sligo/Leitrim area as well.

The Atlantic Ocean with its sandy and rocky beaches and the Wild Atlantic Way are just 20 km from here. Pay a visit to Enniscrone seaweed bath, or go for a drive to Easky with its castle, natural swimming pool, take the coastal road to the old thatched Beach Bar and sandy beaches and dunes at Dunmorran strand.

Further afield you can visit Carrowmore Megalithic tombs & Ceide Fields, Down Patrick Head (where you can see all various layers of rocks), Museum of Country Life and much more

See also: What to do


Review from guests on Airbnb
see also posts at the side bar


We are at present during your stay and available for all queries you might have. When you arrive we are around the Bed in Barn to welcome you, either in our cottage or the Ox Bindery (our studio) or somewhere on the property. Just knock on the door in case we missed your arrival. We like to say goodbye when you check out.