Perfect place for those harbouring seaside dreams

Ballycotton's ‘Inn by The Harbour’ is a stunningly set bar, restaurant and seven guest rooms, with a 130-year history marked by the intervention of two men in clerical habits over a 110-year time span.

One of the ‘priests’ was the actor Marlon Brando, dressed in dark soutane and Roman collar, during the filming of the thwarted 1996 movie Divine Rapture which took over Ballycotton for a summer,keeping unholy company over pints in the Inn with Johnny Depp and others.

The seaside gem and business, just above the pier in the East Cork fishing village has seen every coming and going in the community, and over the seas, since it first opened as an hotel in 1886, despite opposition at the time from a local parish priest.

It has been run for the past six decades, by the Lynch family, who took it on in 1960. They are now retiring and selling up, having bought its lease in 1996 after years of renting from the US-based descendants of the Inn’s founder, a David O’Sullivan. In 1886, a local priest a Fr Norris strongly opposed its establishment as a hotel and hostelry, fearing it would lure and waylay fishermen returning to Ballycotton harbour, enriched with the cash bounty of fish catch sales.

Fr Norris was quite right, the Lynchs wryly acknowledge, noting its very long and successful pedigree ever since, including being a first port of call for sailors, a refuge for fishermen, and a watchful eye over all the launchings and safe returns of the local RNLI lifeboat.

It has also hosted local weddings, christenings and parties, and plays a huge role in the life of the popular seaside village, says East Cork estate agent Adrianna Hegarty, now selling the Inn and restaurant property for the Lynch family (the restaurant is currently leased and the tenant's business Pier 26 is unaffected by the sale).

Comparing it to the likes of Bunnyconnellans in Cork’s Myrtleville in terms of sea-span and setting, and noting its proximity to the Cliff Walk, pier and popularity with the ‘Ballymaloe set’ among other visitors, she guides at €565,000.

It has over 4,000 sq ft with seven en suite bedrooms, up to 70-covers seafood restaurant, and 50-seat bar, with wood-burning stove.

“It has a high volume of year-round business, and endless possibilities for further expansion of the existing business” says Ms Hegarty.

A previous operator/lessee left it in 1901 to open the Bayview Hotel, which trades successfully to this day.

Details: Hegarty Properties [phone].