LACKAN COTTAGE FARM

Home of Birch Cottage and the Off Grid Horsebox

Tranquil self catering in the Mournes

You can wake to a view of the beautiful birch woods outside your window, and enjoy the peace and quiet.  Here you are surrounded by birdsong, clean air, and wonderful views. Walk in the woods, feed the hens, and enjoy fresh produce from our gardens. Set in the Mournes, Birch Cottage offers luxury self catering with wonderful views of the mountains and woodland.

Some of the most stunning countryside in Northern Ireland is on your doorstep, as is the seaside town of Newcastle. The Mourne Mountains, Tollymore and Castlewellan forest parks, Newcastle beach and stunning Silent Valley are just a short drive away.

Come and stay in Northern Ireland’s only off-grid self catering cottage and upcycled horse truck. Visitors can sample life on our pioneering Green Tourism gold rated smallholding.

The good life experience

We are pioneers of the growing ecotourism and green tourism movement here in the Mournes, Northern Ireland. Consequently, sharing our lifestyle, fresh produce, and experiences with visitors is all part of the unique visitor experience.

The Off Grid Horsebox has an amazing upcycled interior, and also offers a cosy hideaway where you can unplug from the outside world completely.

Birch Cottage is off grid accommodation without compromise – hand crafted, comfortable, and it has wonderful views. It really is the greenest self catering holiday cottage in Northern Ireland.

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Birch Cottage self catering

You can unwind and escape to another world here at Birch Cottage. Tucked away near the Mournes, it’s unique, cosy atmosphere is a result of the hand crafted interior. Here, everything has a story and above all is chosen to be natural, which gives the cottage it’s homely feel. If you want a base to explore the Mournes, our self catering cottage has a hand crafted interior and is perfect for a relaxing retreat.

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We had the most amazing time over the weekend. We got to finally relax and forget about the world. The horsebox is such an amazing experience and we will be back. We've learned so much over this small time and we're completely in love with it all. We will be back again soon. Shannon and Nikki - June 2018

Shannon and Nikki 

What a little find! The horsebox is the perfect location to spend a few days unwinding and perfect location for a 'digital detox' in peace and quiet. We spent the evenings by the fire outside enjoying our amazing surroundings and learning to just enjoy the moment. Very grateful for having the chance to stay and will definitely be back.
Chris and Peter, September 2017

Chris and Peter 

The horsebox and the farm itself were such a lovely place to stay that we hardly wanted to leave the property to visit anywhere else while we were here! The 'hygge' of the place made us feel at home right away. We had everything we needed while we were here and nothing to distract us from our purpose - to relax. We especially enjoyed the composting toilet - it's not every day you get a perfect view of mountains and fields while on the loo.  Thanks for everything. Lydia and Michael

Lydia and Michael 

What a unique, special way to unwind and relax - we have both fallen in love with this place! Absolutely loved exploring your lovely forest and grounds - very inspired and respectful of this way of sustainably living. So glad we discovered this place and will definitely be back. Thank you so much, Stephen and Lou, August 2017.

Stephen and Lou 

We both feel so refreshed - feel like I have had two weeks away as opposed to three days. The horsetruck is tastefully decorated, comfortable and  so peaceful. We loved playing cards the guitar and toasting marshmallows outside. Will recommend to others!
Sarah and Chris, August.

Sarah and Chris 

Amazing spot - all we expected and more. Thanks Claire and Steve for creating such a tranquil retreat, batteries recharged after one night. Don't think it will be our last visit. Thanks again Rod & Mary.
August 2017

Rod and Mary 

Book direct here on the website to get the best rates

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Off Grid Horse box self catering

Surely the most unusual self catering accommodation in Co Down. This is a converted horse truck with a view of the Mournes. You’ll feel at home here because we made it a place that we would want to escape to ourselves. The quirky, cosy interior is a result of using upcycled and natural materials. Watch the stars from the comfort of the box bed, play the guitar, or chill out by the woodburning stove. Maybe you’ll just sit on the deck and look at the mountains – this is an especially peaceful corner of Lackan Cottage Farm.

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We had the most amazing time over the weekend. We got to finally relax and forget about the world. The horsebox is such an amazing experience and we will be back. We've learned so much over this small time and we're completely in love with it all. We will be back again soon. Shannon and Nikki - June 2018

Shannon and Nikki 

What a little find! The horsebox is the perfect location to spend a few days unwinding and perfect location for a 'digital detox' in peace and quiet. We spent the evenings by the fire outside enjoying our amazing surroundings and learning to just enjoy the moment. Very grateful for having the chance to stay and will definitely be back.
Chris and Peter, September 2017

Chris and Peter 

The horsebox and the farm itself were such a lovely place to stay that we hardly wanted to leave the property to visit anywhere else while we were here! The 'hygge' of the place made us feel at home right away. We had everything we needed while we were here and nothing to distract us from our purpose - to relax. We especially enjoyed the composting toilet - it's not every day you get a perfect view of mountains and fields while on the loo.  Thanks for everything. Lydia and Michael

Lydia and Michael 

What a unique, special way to unwind and relax - we have both fallen in love with this place! Absolutely loved exploring your lovely forest and grounds - very inspired and respectful of this way of sustainably living. So glad we discovered this place and will definitely be back. Thank you so much, Stephen and Lou, August 2017.

Stephen and Lou 

We both feel so refreshed - feel like I have had two weeks away as opposed to three days. The horsetruck is tastefully decorated, comfortable and  so peaceful. We loved playing cards the guitar and toasting marshmallows outside. Will recommend to others!
Sarah and Chris, August.

Sarah and Chris 

Amazing spot - all we expected and more. Thanks Claire and Steve for creating such a tranquil retreat, batteries recharged after one night. Don't think it will be our last visit. Thanks again Rod & Mary.
August 2017

Rod and Mary 

Book direct here on the website to get the best rates

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Our story

We are fortunate to have this opportunity and as a result be able to live the way we do. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as a society, we can’t go on the way we have been.Consequently something has to give. As we talk to people, their frustration at inequality and instability is obvious. Furthermore,  environmental and economic worries serve to highlight the need for alternative solutions.

Lackan Cottage Farm is our response to that. Consequently, as well as upskilling ourselves to be better able to cope, we are empowering others to do the same. Likewise, we provide self catering accommodation so that they can come and experience it for themselves here in the Mournes. Therefore everything we offer here comes from our own experience and is created to be really special, whether it be a day of winemaking, or the interior of the horsebox. We hope you will love it as much as we do.
Steve & Claire Golemboski-Byrne

Forthcoming events

News and events from Lackan

Books – The self sufficient house

Books – The self sufficient house

Jan 14, 2019 | 0 Comments

None of this energy saving, off grid stuff has appeared out of thin air. Back in 1980, Brenda and Robert Vale wrote 'The self sufficient house', which is still an incredibly useful resource and which is full of good practical information on improving the energy...

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Affordable off-grid?

Affordable off-grid?

Jan 13, 2019 | 6 Comments

Yesterday I went on the radio to talk with a couple of other people about living off grid. Trouble is though you get a few minutes to talk and then its over without really getting to say what you wanted, unless you're a trained media professional, which I'm not.  As...

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Starting on a positive note

Starting on a positive note

Jan 4, 2019 | 0 Comments

It's only a few days into the new year and already it's been a busy one. We're heading into our seventh year here at Lackan, a lot of the physical heavy lifting of sorting buildings and structure is done. Over the last years we've welcomed a lot of volunteers,...

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Come and learn

Ever wanted to make your own wine? Grow your own food? How about making your own basket, or a wooden stool? These are the kinds of practical opportunities that we offer on our regular self sufficiency courses, taught by people we respect and who are expert at what they do. In addition we run broader courses in subjects such as Off Grid and ‘DIY’ living, Permaculture and Natural Building where you can discover more about ways to be more self sufficient.

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