THE STONE BARN CAFE

Delicious and creative vegetarian and vegan cooking using the highest quality ingredients with all vegetables and fruit grown organically on Macalla farm – as local and seasonal as it gets!

Our 2025 summer season has sadly come to an end – a huge thank you to all who came along during the day, to our dinners and music gigs – we were able to raise over €5000 for One Plate for Palestine (donations goint to Gaza Go Bragh and the TEA Initiative) – much appreciation!!!

We’re still open for group bookings for lunch or dinner – minimum of 10, advance booking essential by email ciara@macallafarm.ie 

Keep an eye out for pop – up events during the autumn and winter!

 THE STONE BARN

The stone barn originally housed cows, with a drain down the middle, It was already there when Michael Joe was born in 1914. His father built on to the east end sometime in the 1920’s. When Ciara arrived in the 80’s it had ceased its original function as Michael moved to out-wintering his cows, and was filled with everything imaginable. The roof was thatch and re-thatching was an annual job. Cutting the rushes with a scythe was extremely hard work, the cut rushes then bundled into a rope which you swung on your back walking the long distance back to the barn.

After Michael died, the roof fell in and the building was finally cleared of its contents. In 2006 we decided to renovate the building, initially with the idea of providing accommodation for volunteers. A number of islanders including a skilled stonemason worked on the renovation. An expert in lime work on traditional buildings oversaw the project, ensuring that no concrete was used and the limecrete in the floor could cope with the high moisture content in the ground beneath the building. Coupled with 300 mm of cellulose in the ceiling, the building now breathes comfortably, is extremely easy to heat with a small wood burning stove and never feels damp.