LACKAN COTTAGE FARM

Home of Birch Cottage Off Grid Self Catering

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. 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.

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, being Tourism NI 4 star rated, Green Tourism Gold rated and the first Green Key accredited accommodation in Northern Ireland or 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

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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

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News and events from Lackan

Finishing the roundhouse

Dec 18, 2021 | 2 Comments

Five years ago now we started building the strawbale roundhouse, which has been a slow affair, mainly due to not having any good clay with which to make earth plaster. The roundhouse has sat there full of junk - a wasted opportunity that has nagged at me each time I...

Guided tour of Lackan Cottage Farm

Sep 17, 2021 | 1 Comment

***Sorry we have sold out of tickets for this one. We will run another so click here to leave your contact details and we'll let you know when the next date is **** We're offering a guided tour of Lackan on Sunday 26th September, where we will be looking at everything...

The same but different

Sep 12, 2021 | 4 Comments

It's nearly ten years now since we landed here at Lackan and in some ways the world has changed very little, and in others we live in an utterly different universe to the one we inhabited back then. Ten years ago we were holed up in our truck in Bangor, building a...

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.