Owey Island Cottage Hostel 2.98

Owey Island was last inhabited full time in the late 70's when modern life with its cars, electricity and faster living became too much of an attraction to the younger generation and the hardships of island living were left behind.
Except for a few houses that had been kept in use by a small group that saw the attraction of the peace of a deserted island the place lay almost dormant for over 25 years. When the old islanders left they left with full intentions of returning and so like a scene from the Mary Celeste the tables were almost set and the old crockery filled the dressers that over the years grew layered in cob webs and slowly decayed, the old sheds held the old decomposing cotton fishing nets and corpses of the Donkeys left behind and as the years passed more and more the thatches fell in and the winter storms would every year wear away another layer of what generations of islanders had devoted their lives to building. A way of life was lost and buried under thick over growths of grass.
Alas when the people who had known the island in their youth in its former glory had seen enough of it fading away moves began to be made to breath life back into it.
In the early 00's a few determined souls saw the value of the peace and beauty of the place and began fixing up the old ruins and for the last 15 years it has just snowballed.
Now with around 20 houses fixed up and in use the island has transformed from the abandoned village to a seasonal living community.
My Grand mother was from the island and her 3 brothers were of the last inhabitants, staying on until the lack of a community became too much of a stain on the old men.

Owey Island Cottage Hostel was the house my grandmother came from and the last house to be lived in on the island and so stood the years of abandonment better than most. It still has all the original features and most of the original furniture. I am opening it up this summer as a small hostel (only 6 beds but the house can fit more if needed) in the hope to attract climbers, Kayakers, hill walkers and people who are looking to experience a taste of island living and escape the noise and hustle of modern living.
There are 3 open fires, a small kitchen area, a composting toilet and a.....unique way of heating bath water.
There is no mains electricity so the open fire will replace your tv, phone charging is possible but larger devises would be a problem.
If your interested in coming out and checking in for a few nights don't hesitate to give me a call and we can make plans.