Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available

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Miscellaneous
Property grounds
Interior
Interior
Living area

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
£299
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Skibbereen, Cork
  • Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Lough Hyne
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Baltimore Beacon
    ‪28 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Futon

1 Double Bed

single

2 Single Beds

sofabed

1 Double Bed

Bathroom 1

Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden

Room

  • Ocean view
  • 2152.8 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds
Price is £299 avg per night,

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About the area

What's nearby

  • Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club - 19 min drive - 15.1 km
  • Schull Harbour - 22 min drive - 20.3 km
  • Lough Hyne - 23 min drive - 18.6 km
  • Dun Na Sead - 26 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Baltimore Beacon - 28 min drive - 24.1 km

Restaurants

  • ‪The Townhouse O D's - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Dede at the Custom House - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪The Bunratty Inn - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪The Chestnut Tree - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Budd' S Of Ballydehob - ‬15 min drive

About this property

Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available

https://www.rincoliskycastle.com/

Up on the cliffs at Roaring Water Bay, Rinn Chùil Uisce Castle, called Rincolisky, a historic monument built by the O'Driscoll clan in 1495, is facing Kilcoe Castle which dates to around 1450 and was built by Diarmaid McCarthy. Before its restoration, commencing in 2002, Rincolisky Castle was an ancient ruin consisting of the square walls with a basement entrance, a vaulted stone ceiling above and a carved door on the first floor which could only be accessed through climbing up the external wall. A walled-in stone staircase lead to the severely damaged grass overgrown “roof”.
In 2008, the renovation of the castle was completed and a newly constructed top room with sliding glass windows are opening up to a flagstone terrace surrounded by stone walls facing West. All reviews of people who have rented the castle were amazed and emphasized the most magnificent view one has over all the islands.

When restoring the castle, I put my attention on a dialog between the historic with the contemporary, in terms of art and furniture. The 8 meter long wooden beams in the basement originate from a French Castle and are some 500 years old. The fireplace, floor tiles, long kitchen table, the old church benches, they all have a historic European background. Traditionally the old castles only have small windows, thus working with artificial light is important. The long Occhio light above the dinner table which hangs on the ceiling on an 8-meter-long steel cable has been custom made for this space shedding a warm light on the big country kitchen. The fire should be lit during those evenings when barbecuing on the outdoor terrace down at the sea has become too chilly.
Please pay attention to the fact that due to the steep staircases, the castle is not suitable for people over 70 and children under 12 years of age.
Sleeping facilities are rustic, there is one double Futon bed on the first and two single beds on the second mezzanine. The old garderobe now functions as a toilet for guests who sleep on these floors. The top room accommodates a double Futon bed, a large couch with coffee table, an art deco desk with chair and a small open fireplace for chilly nights. A shower room is attached on the top floor.
The castle is geothermal heated which ensures even warmth throughout and is assisted by the Aga stove in the kitchen.
The two outer terraces should be used according to wind and weather.
The uniqueness this castle is its rural location overlooking the sea and the islands, the tranquillity that untouched nature provides, a place to leave behind the daily routines and completely relax. There are facilities for Yoga in the little shed next to the sea, two stone stairs are leading down to a “beach” where swimming and kayaking is possible during high tide. Nature walks in the surrounding and on Heir Island are possible even in rain.
Please not that the jacuzzi is not available any more.

Property manager

Jaax
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, German
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Amenities

Hot tub
Free WiFi
Parking available

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Fill out the rental agreement and mail it back to owner at least one week before arrival.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Cashless transactions are available
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available located?

Located by the ocean, this family-friendly castle is within 9 mi (15 km) of Skibbereen Heritage Centre, Liss Ard Gardens and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Island Cottage is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.

Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 64 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 64 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 64 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 64 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 64 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Remarkable Wsy To Experience Medieval Ireland

Hard to imagine a more unique and exciting way to experience Ireland than in this amazing VRBO. The castle has an unsurpassed 360 degree views of the water and farmland. Inside, it has the modern conveniences you need while maintaining a rustic atmosphere. The stairs can be a challenge yet the views from the modern upstairs bedroom is worth the risk. Everything was clean, warm and comfortable. Good directions and easy to find on the map. Excellent Wifi throughout. Highly recommend for a once-in-a-lifetime lodging experience.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laughlin R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

Excellent stay in this truly unique property
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

PAUL Q.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Fantastic views

The property was a lot warmer than we expected The room at the top however is impossible to sleep in if there is a strong wind as the glass is not particularly well fitted and there is a constant noise as if there is a swarm of bees in the room Would I return , in all honesty No
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Karen N., Stratford-upon-Avon

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Simply astounding!

Everything about Rincolisky Castle is just wonderful! Stephanie is a great host, and was in contact within the hour to check we had arrived okay. Her housekeeper, Niav, was also responsive to texts and popped round to see that we had everything we needed. We asked for a couple of things and those were given to us. The castle is an adventure for young and old (we are a family with two young teens, and two older children who joined us later in the week), though stamina is needed for sleeping on the top floor! That said, do not miss the chance to sleep on the top floor.. no curtains means, on a clear night, the stars can be seen in all their splendour! You will need eye masks for those early mornings, but it's worth it! The castle has everything that you need for your stay; the oven is a little small, but we still managed to feed six! There's a great BBQ which would cook most meals efficiently. The views are spectacular, even when it's foggy ;) We never became bored with the views. Skibbereen is your local large town with good facilities, but do make a trip to Ballydehob, which is a great little town with some wonderful restaurants (Budds and Antonio's are the two we went to), and Levi's is definitely worth a visit to see its shop come bar, and the music they host is great!Such a lovely welcome from them all. Do also try Minihan's bar which is not far from the castle; looks like someone's house, but the welcome and the guiness is good! All in all, a fabulous holiday was spent here, and we will definitely return to the area, and maybe even the castle! We visited Blarney Castle on our way home and it was good to see some of the same castle features there; shows that Rincolisky is the real deal!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

JONATHAN H.

Simply Stunning!!

It took my family and I over six hours to drive to Rincolisky tower and it was 100% worth it. A medieval tower with stunning views, it retains more than enough originality to provide an authentically unique experience but enough mod-cons so as not to put the younger members of the family off. Originally we booked the tower to provide my son (a keen astronomer) with the sort of clear skies you can't get in a town environment and on the one clear night we were rewarded with magnificent views of the night sky. We all loved the downstairs hall with it's huge table and pews and the smell of woodsmoke from the open fire made for memorable nights, having family meals and playing cards etc. There are steps down to a private rocky beach where we enjoyed crab fishing and there's a hot tub which we didn't use but has fantastic views. The top floor is in contrast to the rest of the tower with contemporary furnishings yet with the underfloor heating, it provides the perfect retreat after an exhausting day to enjoy a glass or two of wine whilst taking in some of the most fantastic views. Pros: Unique memorable experience Excellent base for exploring the South West of Ireland Internet was excellent, kept our data hungry kids from complaining. Super facilities which the owner has clearly put tremendous effort into. Niav (the housekeeper) was lovely and was a wealth of local information. Cons: The stone steps to the top floor would be challenging if you're not reasonably fit. There's no blinds on the top floor so if you don't like getting up at sunrise you'll need eye masks (provided). Be prepared as there's no local shops so no popping out for a pint of milk. Finally, thanks to Niav and the owner for a fantastic holiday in truly remarkable surroundings!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Philip K.

Wow!!

What a magical place indeed! If you don't stay here you are missing out. The most unique accomodations I've ever stayed in by far. Hosts where professional and kind, tending to our every need. The wood burning hot tub while watching the sunset over the bay was magical. Thank you Stephanie and Neiv!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

An Incredible Experience - not just accommodation and not for everyone

The restoration of this Irish (O'Driscoll) castle was a labor of love, with perfect antique furnishings. A stay here should be the same. Mobility impaired doesn't work - steep stone steps to the toilets (both of them). 3 beds were ok; sofa bed not so much. Has more conveniences than the original; plumbing is a challenge - shower and washer in boat house - no dryer. I recommend it if you don't have unrealistic expectations - it's a 900 year old tower home. But you should have seen our teens live streaming to their friends about living in a castle! We saw a fox, heard swans calling, basked in the incredible sunsets and peaceful beauty all around. We didn't do the tourist Ireland and this was the culminating experience. Niav was a wonderful hostess, leading us into the castle and showing us how everything worked. Stovetop cooking is easier if you are not familiar with the AGA. Kitchen was well furnished. Whitewash flakes a little powder off the walls, but it wasn't a problem at all.The orange on the castle across the bay is stone preservative and will gradually fade. The castle is pretty remote, but only 13 km from Skibbereen (explore there) and easy to get to Brow and Mizen Head, Baltimore, and a lot of other interesting places. We would go back if ever we could. Oh, we had unusually warm weather and upper room got very hot - because it has glass walls.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Matt M.

Unique and Relaxing

Rincolisky Tower sits in the most amazing part of Ireland. "God's Country" as one local described it. The castle was as expected. It's old, very old, so no surprises on any aspect of the tower itself. Yes, there will be damp on the walls, yes, it will get cool at night, yes you will hear strange noises creaking and groaning from the walls and floorboards but once you crank up the fires, fill your belly full of food and drink it's a wonderful place to be. Definitely a great spot to share with a bunch of friends or family for a unique and different experience. The surrounding area and small towns to explore is ideal. Aside from the obvious and expected challenges that come with living in a 500yr-old tower castle, what a great place to stay. The owners have done a reasonably good job renovating and I am sure it suits their personal requirements however as a holiday rental I think there needs to be more practical amenities and ongoing maintenance in a place this old to ensure quality and value for $. The upper conservatory is great, all glass windows and a view for miles. Because of the exposure to the sun and subsequent cold (through the glass-no blinds) a number of the floorboards are warped and buckled, some with nails popping out which is pretty dangerous when you're walking around in socks or bear feet. For some strange reason the outdoor area on the rooftop wasn't leveled with a gradient for run-off so water pools in this area after it has rained, made worse by the fact that the roof of the conservatory has no gutters so rain run's straight off the roof and into the patio area. A very strange renovation choice to not include gutters. Maybe it's a heritage thing? The showerhead was broken so unless you're a 3ft leprechaun or can squat for long periods of time showers were a hassle but not as much as the deadly polished slate floor of the bathroom. The slate looks good on the walls but makes absolutely no sense to have on the floor of a wet area. With just a drop of water it was as dangerous as black ice. I took a hectic spill simply stepping from the shower to grab my towel. Not enjoyable at all so tread carefully. The tower has a great kitchen/dining area on the ground floor. There's a killer dining table that seats 12, at least. There is an Arga Oven which looks great in the kitchen but unless you have one at home, or know how to use one it is basically of no real use. All up a good stay but could use upgrades/maintenance as a holiday rental.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Maria C.

Magical

A wonderfully authentic experience - climbing the tower and watching the sea turn from pale green to silver during the course of the day was truly breathtaking, and waking up to this view was even better!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Jason B.

Very unique property. A great way to experience Ireland

We loved it and the views were outstanding.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hannes K.

Great old castle

The castle is restored in a great and lovely fashion, it feels like a really historic building but also provides the modern amenity, that are well hidden or integrated into the historic structure. We were looking for a quiet comfortable place. That is exactly what we found. You will need a car to get around. Small Pub without food close by, close by car, can also be walked.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nicole B.

A wonderful castle in a magical setting!

Rincolisky Castle is a perfect retreat for a beautiful, peaceful and memorable holiday. We enjoyed our holiday in this charming, high-quality castle-tower with our four children (between 7 and 16) very much and we will never forget this wonderful, relaxing days. To sit on the top of the tower overlooking the ocean, the blue sky and the green hills let us do "nothing", just relaxing and admiring. The castle is beautifully furnished and comfortable. We enjoyed cooking with the high-quality Aga oven. Slow down and enjoy! Children had a lot to discover on this huge garden-ground and enjoyed the boots you can rent with the castle. It was a refreshment and a "renovation" for body, soul and spirit. It was so good, I'd prefer to keep it a secret! A truly memorable holiday.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ulrike H.

Inspiring beautiful place

Last autumn we discovered this mystic and peaceful place in the most picturesque landscape we´ve ever seen in Europe. Swimming and walking in lovely beaches, whatever you do there you don´t want to miss it anymore.The castle, build on cliffs at Roaring Water Bay is surrounded by green fields. The stunning views on the islands and the vast sea render a real taste of being privileged and one wants to start writing a sketch or lyrics straight away. So we go again, this summer and find out how nature will be at that time of the year at the beginning of July. Thank you Stefanie, to let us the castle once more.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lauren J.

We loved it here

This place is unbelievable. We (6) stayed for a week in June. The castle is wonderfully designed in its restoration, the views from the top are beautiful. Spent our time swimming, doing yoga on the roof, sitting around the big table in the kitchen while the aga kept us warm and messing around on the boat. Such an amazing holiday. Thank you Stefanie! We'll be back next year :)

8/10 Good

Jen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Mostly amazing

We are an adventurous family who enjoys a unique stay, even with a bit of inconvenience, and this property is memory-making. Please note that we would still have stayed, even with the items following. There is a huge gap between the main door and the walls and it is not just chilly, it is pretty cold. Make sure to bring layers and buy plenty of wood. The fire and Aga stove helped a lot and there is a space heater on the third level that worked well. Our daughters were on the mezzanine level and that space heater didn't work, and their bathroom was so damp the toilet paper was wet lol. We also thought 50 euro extra to use the sauna was pretty steep so we didn't use it. The chunkiest part was that the instructions and contact people were conflicting - we had two different codes and two different contact names and phone numbers. The Stephanie who I was supposedly getting emails from beforehand told us (when we sent a Whatsapp question) that she was no longer managing the property, but hers was the name I had on the reservation and her contact information was on the laminated sheet. Linens and rugs, chairs, the couch were overall pretty dingy and even seemed a bit soiled. Again, we would have stayed anyway as it was quite unique and the surroundings beautiful, but if you want a cushy stay free of inconvenience, this is probably not the place for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Bobbiann G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cool experience in a castle.

We enjoyed our stay a lot. Beautiful area to explore. Would recommend this rental in the summer for sure. There is barely any heating so we spent a ton of money on firewood and we were still cold. Otherwise a good experience and loved the sauna.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Audrey N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip

Beautiful views in a beautiful setting. Full of character and history!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patrick P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous views from a historic tower-house

We had five wonderful nights in Rincolisky Castle. We were fortunate with unseasonably warm, blue-sky weather. The geography of Roaring Water Bay is just beautiful. We spent a wonderful day harvesting blackberries on Heir Island with our granddaughter. Swimming at High Tide when the water laps the lower steps was exhilarating. We did not use the sauna. We applaud Stephanie’s decision to allow paying guests access to such a sympathetically restored part of Irish history.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Castle

Great place great views
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harrison P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

Definitely a unique experience! The view is fantastic and the ambiance made for exactly the adventure we were looking for. It felt like a good mix of experiencing what castle living would have been like along with access to modern luxuries.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shawn K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing castle of your own

This was an amazing property! It was amazing to travel to Ireland and be able to stay in a castle and enjoy the history while enjoying the modern touches. It was everything we wished for and more. The added touches of a link with directions as well as the firewood to burn a fire at night was magical! We will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely wonderful stay

Staying in the lovely place may not be for everyone, it is an older place, keep that in mind. Seeing that however, the home and property are absolutely gorgeous and worth the stay. I definitely recommend this stay for anyone looking to make a good memory.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Tiffany B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

An experience in a beautiful area

It is an experience worth having. Our 3 teenagers thought it was very cool and it was a nice way to work some history into our holiday. There are few things that need attention: The light in the upstairs room doesn't appear to be fully secured into the ceiling, one of the lights in the upstairs bathroom needs to be touched a certain way to work and the drain system in the shower should be looked at. But that aside this is really more of an experience than a 4 star hotel (so if you are looking for luxury this may not be for you but if you are looking a unique experience we recommend it).
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Hans H.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

GRAUSAM!!

Silverster mit der Familie und wieder Entsetzen über unseren Reisebericht! Ich bin jetzt 63 Jahre alt und habe noch nie einen Urlaub in so einer verdreckten Unterkunft machen müssen. Frau Jaaz antwortet nicht! Wir haben Ihr die Beschwerde und Bilder gesendet. Sie rührt sich nicht. Vielleicht können Sie ja was machen!? Freundliche Grüße Hans Hasenpusch
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even better than we expected!

It has been a dream of my husband's to live in a castle, and we got to do that for three nights with our two young adult sons. The view when you approach the castle on the road is amazing, but those from the top floor as you look out over the bay are truly spectacular. We shopped for food and firewood in Skibbereen, then really didn't need to leave again. With temperatures outside in the low 50s during the day, we absolutely needed a fire to stay warm in the main room. But the beds had plenty of comforters at night to keep us toasty. The hot water for the shower needed a good 30 minutes to heat up, but that was our biggest inconvenience. Cocktail hour up on the top floor each afternoon as the sun set was a highlight.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023