The Bee Pods in Donegal, Eire

I’ve simply completed mountaineering western Eire’s Sliabh Liag (pronounced as Slieve League), an almost seven-mile coastal path that hugs the guidelines of sea cliffs that soar 1,972 ft within the air. It’s chilly, the wind feels prefer it’s attempting to punish my very existence, and my knees are aching after a three-hour climb. However as I strategy the seaside village of Rossnowlagh, situated 50 minutes south in County Donegal, I can really feel myself starting to calm down.

Its crescent-shaped seaside (a preferred browsing location with Blue Flag standing, a certification which means the water is clear and wholesome) stretches for over two miles and is powdered with sand so high quality it appears like touching silk. Undulating mountains and cliffs, together with people who kind the Sliabh Liag, hug the horizon in order that it feels such as you’re standing on the within of a large bowl. And, camouflaged among the many hills that lightly roll down in direction of the shore, are the Bee Pods, a bunch of 5 luxurious, adults-only glamping pods and my dwelling for the following two nights. 

Based in 2019 by Siobhan and William McGuckin, who additionally reside on the property, the pods are fully ensconced in 3.5 acres of dense development. The vegetation is just not solely very minimally landscaped but additionally actively planted in efforts to take care of and promote leisure inside the Irish wilderness—throughout my keep, William was within the technique of planting 200 Golden Willows. The Bee Pods function with sustainable ideas in thoughts—the McGuckins draw back from weedkillers, repeatedly plant bushes, crops, and bushes, and make their very own fertilizers from crops reminiscent of seaweed, nettle, and comfrey.

“[We were] impressed by a have to recreate that deep connection to the pure world and share it with others,” Siobhan McGuckin informed Journey + Leisure. She and her husband have been dwelling within the space for some 30 years. “Sustainability is on the core of all the pieces we do right here.”

Right here, friends will discover a pizza pod, spa, a household of pygmy goats, and a number of other beehives from which greater than 400 kilos of honey are harvested annually.

The pods are additionally in a primary location. The Sliab Liag is roughly 50 minutes north, whereas the medieval city of Donegal is just a 15-minute drive away. Throughout my time on the Bee Pods, I visited a craft village to buy a memento from an area artisan, explored the 551-year-old Donegal Fort, and munched on fish tacos at native hang-out Blas. Above all, I took time to decompress in my pod after greater than every week of some fairly taxing sea cliff mountaineering, having fun with the views of Rossnowlagh Seaside from my king-sized mattress and luxuriating in a scorching seaweed tub, considered one of Eire’s solely Indigenous wellness therapies, that left my pores and skin feeling baby-soft. 

The Bee Pods is a luxurious retreat to calm down and recharge within the peacefulness of the outside, and the expertise is just enhanced by the property’s hosts, who exude a heat, traditional Irish attraction.

This is what it is like to remain on the Bee Pods in Donegal, Eire.

The Rooms

With solely 5 pods, staying on the Bee Pods is a quiet, intimate expertise.

All pods are designed to mix into the hillside and are available geared up with a kitchenette (peppered with small luxe touches like Nespresso machines and Smeg kettles), waffle bathrobes, and an out of doors seating space. I stayed in The Hive, the most important and most non-public of the 5. The room got here outfitted with a king-sized mattress, a eating room space with sea views, and a rest room that had a rainfall bathe, Voya natural merchandise, and underfloor heating. The Hive additionally had an costly patio with a fireplace pit, a Large Inexperienced Egg barbecue put, and a clawfoot tub tucked beneath a heated overhang. There have been additionally tables and chairs with beautiful views of Rossnowlagh Seaside—the right spot to take heed to the waves and watch the sundown with a crisp Irish craft cider. 

Every pod additionally has not less than one piece of upcycled furnishings. The sofa in The Hive, for instance, belonged to Siobhan’s great-grandmother, whereas a wood facet desk within the spa space was William’s grandmother’s, and a beautifully-wrought wood chessboard in The Queen B pod has been owned by the McGurkins for over 30 years.

Meals and Drink

Each pod receives a welcome basket upon arrival. In mine, I discovered a small glass jug of milk, two eggs snuggled in knitted beanies, home made marshmallows for roasting over the fireplace pit, home made granola, and a small jar of honey from the property’s very personal bees. Each morning, the hosts cease by with a wood field holding some breakfast treats that Siobhan herself prepares. Choices rotate day-after-day, however friends can count on foods and drinks like freshly-squeezed orange juice, in a single day oats topped with berries, and parfaits, in addition to croissants, ham and cheese toasties, or eggs. Within the evenings, Siobhan will go away cheese or dessert platters to snack on. 

The Bee Pods even have their very own devoted pizza pod with an Ooni pizza oven. For a small payment, you possibly can request prerolled dough and pizza sauce, which Siobhan purchases in particular person from an Italian restaurant in Dublin, to make your personal pies—all you want is to deliver the toppings of your alternative. For many who might not need pizza or to drive to Donegal for dinner, the pods come geared up with kitchenettes, and the grounds function a greenhouse with greens and herbs that friends can freely decide for his or her meals.

The Spa

The spa space is small however cozy, and has two clawfoot tubs that overlook an enclosed sandy backyard space with lounge chairs. For roughly $40, friends can e book a scorching seaweed tub. You will want to fill out a fast well being consent kind beforehand, and bookings will be made prematurely or when you arrive on the property. After I took mine, the spa was lit with sweet-smelling candles, and Siobhan neglected some water and fruit snacks for me to munch on.

The bathtub might odor a bit briny at first, however the seaweed releases many minerals, like magnesium and zinc, into the water which might be nice for moisturizing the pores and skin and hair. Don’t be shy about rubbing the seaweed throughout your physique and face, and it’s beneficial to not bathe for a couple of hours after your tub in order that your pores and skin can actually take in the seaweed’s oils. I left my first Irish spa expertise feeling rejuvenated and with extremely delicate pores and skin. For friends who keep in The Hive pod, seaweed baths will also be organized for the outside clawfoot tub. 

Household-friendly Choices

The Bee Pods is an adults-only property, so this lodge is not the only option for a getaway with the kiddos.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Bee Pods would not have any rooms which might be particularly designed to accommodate friends with mobility points. Moreover, wheelchair customers might discover components of the property tough to navigate.

Sustainability is high of thoughts on the Bee Pods. For instance, seaweed is just used as soon as per visitor. As soon as a shower is completed, Siobhan collects the seaweed, dries it, after which makes use of it as fertilizer, alongside nettle and comfrey, across the grounds. The property makes use of timber from their very own bushes for firewood, and crops not less than 200 bushes, crops, hedgerows, and wildflowers yearly. “That is for the bees, birds, and wildlife, [to provide] shelter for our pygmy goats, wild foxes, and different animals,” says Siobhan. There are additionally plans to put in photo voltaic panels, rainwater assortment methods, and electrical charging services within the coming months.  

Location

The Bee Pods are situated in southern County Donegal and are inside an hour’s drive from many in style areas, each in County Donegal and in County Sligo. The closest main airport, Donegal Airport (CFN), is about 55 miles away, or an hour and a half drive.

The property is 5 minutes away on foot from Rossnowlagh Seaside, a preferred browsing location and considered one of Eire’s Blue Flag seashores. There’s a surf faculty close by for many who are fascinated by studying find out how to trip the waves. Roughly an hour north lies the Sliabh Liag and the fishing village of Killybegs, whereas the city of Donegal, Eire, and its many eating places and retailers will be reached inside quarter-hour.

For many who are fascinated by venturing additional, Northern Eire is just an hour away, whereas points of interest like Irish poet W.B Yates’ grave, the six-mile Gleniff Horseshoe loop, and the browsing seaside of Strandhill can all be reached in close by County Sligo.

Guide Now

For the reason that Bee Pods are independently owned, they are not part of any lodge loyalty applications. They do not take part in any journey bank card applications, both. Friends must also needless to say the Bee Pods require a two-night minimal. It’s beneficial to e book immediately with the property for one of the best charges.

Each T+L lodge overview is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.