In 2016, a decision by Clare County Council to provide a business opportunity for Caitríona Considine changed her life. An engineer by profession, Caitríona was regularly out of the country for extended periods working as a wind energy consultant. Anxious to achieve a better life-work balance, she looked at the business potential of the family farm, which, lo and behold, is on the Wild Atlantic Way and only a short distance from the Cliffs of Moher and Liscannor.
The 39ha suckler beef farm has been in the Considine family for six generations, while the pub across the road has been in the family for four generations. Sadly, both enterprises struggled for viability and were being supported by Caitríona’s off-farm income.
Seizing an opportunity
An old cowhouse transformed by Caitriona Considine into Moher Cottage, Co Clare.
A feature of the farmyard is a 150-year-old Liscannor stone cowshed and adjoining pig house. “For my husband Kevin, the cowshed is a thing of beauty and he always kept the stonework and roof in good order. The farmyard was right alongside the busy road and with all the traffic passing by the gate we wondered if we could reimagine the buildings and secure the future of the farm into the bargain.” And that’s where Clare County Council comes in.
In 2015, Caitríona applied for a “change of use” for the cowshed and pig house that would include a coffee shop, gifts and craft centre and car park. She was overjoyed when the council gave her plans the thumbs up.
“It was all theory up to that and then it was hell-for-leather to get the work done and we opened the doors of Moher Cottage on 17 March 2017,” she says.
Second expansion
Caitriona Considine of Moher Cottage gift and coffee shop, Liscannor. \ John Kelly.
Prior to opening, Caitríona completed a “Pub Food for a New Era” course at Ballymaloe cookery school.
“I loved it and Darina Allen’s advice to keep it simple, keep it local and keep quality high proved to be sound advice,” says Caitríona
In the three years since then, Moher Cottage has been in the top five shortlisted businesses providing a “best Irish welcome”, while its coffee has also been recognised for its excellence.
Right from the start, business proved better than expected and Moher Cottage has already been extended to cope with demand. A further extension is now on the cards, and Caitríona hopes to upgrade the pub for accommodation and a food offering.
“Our sales are roughly one-third coffee, one-third food and one-third gifts. In year one, we were able to make repayments on our loan.”
But for Caitríona, the ultimate success of Moher Cottage is that it has helped her family secure the future of their family farm and rural pub, while giving them the quality of life they desired.
087-2959096 | www.mohercottage.com
In 2016, a decision by Clare County Council to provide a business opportunity for Caitríona Considine changed her life. An engineer by profession, Caitríona was regularly out of the country for extended periods working as a wind energy consultant. Anxious to achieve a better life-work balance, she looked at the business potential of the family farm, which, lo and behold, is on the Wild Atlantic Way and only a short distance from the Cliffs of Moher and Liscannor.
The 39ha suckler beef farm has been in the Considine family for six generations, while the pub across the road has been in the family for four generations. Sadly, both enterprises struggled for viability and were being supported by Caitríona’s off-farm income.
Seizing an opportunity
An old cowhouse transformed by Caitriona Considine into Moher Cottage, Co Clare.
A feature of the farmyard is a 150-year-old Liscannor stone cowshed and adjoining pig house. “For my husband Kevin, the cowshed is a thing of beauty and he always kept the stonework and roof in good order. The farmyard was right alongside the busy road and with all the traffic passing by the gate we wondered if we could reimagine the buildings and secure the future of the farm into the bargain.” And that’s where Clare County Council comes in.
In 2015, Caitríona applied for a “change of use” for the cowshed and pig house that would include a coffee shop, gifts and craft centre and car park. She was overjoyed when the council gave her plans the thumbs up.
“It was all theory up to that and then it was hell-for-leather to get the work done and we opened the doors of Moher Cottage on 17 March 2017,” she says.
Second expansion
Caitriona Considine of Moher Cottage gift and coffee shop, Liscannor. \ John Kelly.
Prior to opening, Caitríona completed a “Pub Food for a New Era” course at Ballymaloe cookery school.
“I loved it and Darina Allen’s advice to keep it simple, keep it local and keep quality high proved to be sound advice,” says Caitríona
In the three years since then, Moher Cottage has been in the top five shortlisted businesses providing a “best Irish welcome”, while its coffee has also been recognised for its excellence.
Right from the start, business proved better than expected and Moher Cottage has already been extended to cope with demand. A further extension is now on the cards, and Caitríona hopes to upgrade the pub for accommodation and a food offering.
“Our sales are roughly one-third coffee, one-third food and one-third gifts. In year one, we were able to make repayments on our loan.”
But for Caitríona, the ultimate success of Moher Cottage is that it has helped her family secure the future of their family farm and rural pub, while giving them the quality of life they desired.
087-2959096 | www.mohercottage.com
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