The luxurious new guesthouse in Mitchelstown, Co Cork aims to generate €50,000 to part-finance a Phase 2 expansion. Acting on the expert advice given to her by the Brennan brothers to press ahead with her phase two renovation project, Ciara O’Brien believes the time is now right to make the next move.
THE STORY SO FAR
In order to open Barnahown in July 2024 and pursue her dream of running her own regenerative B&B accommodation, solo businesswoman Ciara, lived at home with her parents for four years before bravely supplementing a mortgage with her entire life savings.
Making the decision to leave her high-flying corporate career behind and take a leap of faith provided Ciara with enough money to sensitively renovate and lovingly restore an 1800’s farmhouse in her hometown that she, and so many local residents, held a great affection for.
A CHANGE OF LIFESTYLE
Ciara’s change of career has brought about a much-changed lifestyle. Gone are the days of expensive international holidays, luxury shopping trips and dinners in fancy restaurants financed by her corporate work. She now lives a lot more frugally and as self-sufficiently as possible, with a kitchen garden and free range hens.
LOW-IMPACT ETHOS
As part of phase one, Ciara invested in a sustainably focused ethos and has been delighted with the feedback she’s received from guests on this particular aspect. Barnahown is powered by PV (photovoltaic) panels and is insulated to an A-rated level of energy efficiency. Mindful water usage, the avoidance of single use packaging for guests, and minimising food waste are all areas that Ciara plays close attention to, to actively reduce Barnahown’s impact on the environment.
PHASE TWO EXPANSION PLANS
Heartened by the industry recognition, winning the Georgina Campbell Ireland Guide Best Small Stay B&B 2024, the groundswell of support Barnahown has received since starring on the hit TV show, guest reviews, and projected bookings for 2025, Ciara, spurred on by the Brennan brothers, has decided to press ahead with her phase two expansion sooner than planned – increasing Barnahown’s overall capacity from eight, to fourteen guests per night.
CROWDFUNADING CAMPAIGN
And so Ciara is reaching out to her local community and admirers of her business from afar to seek their support for her phase two crowdfunding campaign, through which she aims to raise the initial funds required to safely remove the asbestos roof, clear the site, and complete the groundworks. If successful, work on-site will commence in Spring 2025, ahead of a planned Summer 2025 opening.
WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
If you’re interested in supporting the expansion at Barnahown B&B, there are a number of ways to get involved; purchasing a gift voucher for yourself or loved ones to visit in 2025, buying a ticket to Ciara’s Interior Design Immersion and Run Your Own B&B Experiences or by making a simple donation. This is a time of the year when people are making plans for 2025 and Ciara says both the interiors and B&B courses are already proving very popular with those planning a change in 2025.
To learn more and book visit the Barnahown’s website www.barnahown.com/crowdfunding.
