From the Guesthouse to Your House
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Stone Barn began as a B&B by the same name near Skibbereen. We provided a great accommodation, but it was the breakfast and dinner that set us apart.
The guest house was known for its fabulous a la carte breakfast and set menu dinner showcasing the best of West Cork produce alongshide Stuart's garden produce.
Eventually, it made sense to focus entirely on the food. We transitioned from a B&B to a dedicated private chef and catering service. The venue has changed, the scope has increased. The standard of hospitality remains the same: excellent food, professional service.
The Chef
I’m Stuart Kearney, from county Down in Northern Ireland. I learned my craft in some of Stockholms best kitchens and on superyachts before moving to West Cork.
We came here for the beautiful geography, relaxed atmosphere, the exceptional local produce, and (truthfully) the weather!
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My cooking is grounded in sustainable local produce, but I embrace cuisines from the world. Safe to say that cooking-wise, I'm up for just about anything!
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I live and breathe food; cooking, growing veg, keeping hens and recently started farming Angus beef.
Reviews & Media Coverage
The Irish Independent
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50 Best Places to Stay in Ireland 2025​​​
11 April 2025
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"His idea here is to serve artisan breakfasts and tasting
menus built around garden and local goodies (from €65pp) for a maximum of six guests. “It’s not super fine-dining, but simple, nice, with no shortcuts,” he says."
The Guardian - UK​
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Six of the best farm stays in Europe for delicious local food in glorious countryside
7 September 2025
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A restored farm building near Skibbereen in West Cork is now a small B&B with two double bedrooms and a converted wagon. The co-owner, Stuart Kearney, is from Northern Ireland but trained as a chef in Stockholm and serves Nordic‑influenced Irish food. Breakfast could be freshly baked bread and pastries, porridge with whiskey-soaked prunes, and home-smoked bacon with eggs laid by his own hens. Kearney cooks a seven-course tasting menu (every night except Wednesdays and Sundays) showcasing his own vegetables and produce from neighbours and local farmers. The menu changes daily but could include Skeaghanore duck breast or miso-cured cod.
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"Stuart & Karin have created a very classy set-up at Stone Barn. My room was very comfortable, warm and clean. Breakfast was perfect and freshly-cooked. The tasting menu for dinner was, as everyone else has said, exceptionally good: beautiful food, beautifully prepared, served in a relaxed, friendly environment. The only tasting menu I have ever 100% enjoyed." ("P" - United Kingdon, 8 October 2025)
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"Stuart is a wonderful host who goes above and beyond to make his guests feel comfortable and to help with any problems or questions that may come up while en route to Stone Barn or while staying there. We ate dinner at Stone Barn, which I would HIGHLY recommend. Because the Stone Barn is not in town, it was very relaxing to eat there and not worry about driving "home." Stuart is a fantastic cook, and he offers a delicious meal of foods that are locally sourced and exquisitely prepared. I would highly recommend Stone Barn for a quiet getaway and delicious meal." (Penny - United States, 23 September 2025)
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"Beautiful property , very comfortable and clean. Stuart was an excellent host and a phenominal chef . The 7 course meal was the highlight of our stay and he tailored the menue to suit my Gluten Free needs...it was wow ." (Sinead - Ireland, 20 July 2025)
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Booking.com
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We are hugely grateful to everyone who came to stay during our three years as a guest house and for their complimentary feedback.
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