Creating one of Donegal's most immersive hideaway retreats, one step at a time

Busy bees Siobhan and William McGuckin truly epitomise how working closely with nature, one step at a time, can lead to the creation of something really special.

Siobhan was working in Strabane while her self-employed husband William ran his steel fabrication business and kept beehives on the hill behind their Rossnowlagh home. They began thinking about what could be done with the land. And inspired by their son’s childhood paths through the hillside wilderness and a suggestion from a guest to their home, they came up with the idea of glamping pods.

“We didn’t know anything about it,” says Siobhan. “We went to a glamping fair in England and we explored a lot about how to go about it, but none of it felt right for us.

“The companies that build them wanted to come and clear the whole site, but that wasn’t what we wanted at all. For us, the wildness was the heart of the whole thing.”

And so they took the brave step of doing it all themselves, following their own path.

READ NEXT: Childhood memories of her father's loom led a Donegal woman to weave her own magic

“We started with one pod and built it up from there, clearing and building the path up the hillside as we went along.

“Each pod is different, and each one has a sense of privacy as well as fantastic views. We wanted guests to be able to totally switch off, so each one has its own bed, seating area, kitchen area, en suite bathroom and barbecue. 

There is a communal pizza oven, and we supply the basics for that, and there is a seaweed bath available for guests too.”

Walking along the path that winds through this stunning corner of Donegal, one can really see the journey this project has taken. Each twist and turn is full of surprises and beautiful little touches. Railings on the steep sections are made from strong marine rope sourced in Killybegs.

There are pygmy goats on site, wooden benches along the path, a stone picnic area at the highest point, alongside a hut with a swing seat and lookout point. From ‘The Peak’ the eye is drawn not only to the beach and cliffs below, but across Donegal Bay to the peaks of Barnesmore Gap, the Bluestack Mountains, St John’s Point, and Sliagh Liag, all of which are identified with wooden finger signposts.

Siobhan and William have a deep sense of place, of connection to land and sea. This touches everything they do, from beekeeping and making their own honey, to using reclaimed materials where possible, and showcasing other local producers such as Kevin Callaghan Pottery whose ceramics are used in the breakfast baskets, and Magee whose woven throws add a touch of luxury to the furnishings.

They have a greenhouse where they grow vegetables, fruit and herbs which guests are welcome to use. Plans for the ongoing journey along the winding path through the wilderness include a garden and orchard.

Ensuring that their guests have a totally immersive experience has been key to Siobhan and William’s vision, and she plans to take this even further in the coming year.

“William is going to retire from his steel fabrication, and he plans to get his PSV licence so that we can add tours for our guests,” she says. “He is currently doing the Tour Guide course at LYIT Killybegs.”

READ NEXT: Meet the Donegal shop owner whose range celebrates art, family, folklore and place

The couple also have plans to add a long table experience for guests who blockbook the Bee Pods for family gatherings, birthday parties, etc.

“This area used to be our patio!” says Siobhan, indicating a spacious sunroom with stunning views. “We will be opening it to groups to have a meal here, bringing in renowned local chef, Peter Campbell Catering for a high end dining experience as part of a package.”

The seed of an idea that led Siobhan and William to start The Bee Pods continues to flourish, as natural and organic as the beautiful wilderness from which it emerged.

For more information and booking, see thebeepods.com