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

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3 bedrooms, desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds
Fireplace, DVD player, books, video library
Golf
Interior

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Skibbereen, Cork
  • Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club
    19 min drive
  • Lough Hyne
    23 min drive
  • Island Cottage
    80 min drive

Room options

About this property

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

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.

During your stay at this castle, you'll be close to Island Cottage. Enjoy features like 1 hot tub.
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include a terrace
  • On-site recreation includes a playground
  • 7.4 miles (11.9 km) from Skibbereen Heritage Centre and 7.9 miles (12.7 km) from St. Patrick's Cathedral
As a guest of Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available, you'll find a hot tub, a terrace, and barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This castle is smoke free.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Books
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Playground
  • Spa tub
  • Video library

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Beach towels
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Terrace

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

More

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Fireplace
  • Heating
  • Office

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork Skibbereen

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

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 62 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 62 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 62 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 62 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 62 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Audrey N., Scottsdale, az

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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
Castle
Great place great views
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harrison P.

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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
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.

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

10/10 Excellent

Laurie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Castle Experience
We loved everything about our stay in the Rincolisky Castle. It was the perfect base location for our travels around Ireland. Made our 30th wedding anniversary very special.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical retreat
We were so happy to spend 4 incredible nights at the Castle, celebrating a 70th and a 59th birthday (2 couples). Even though the weather was mostly rainy and cold, the castle was warm, charming and dramatic. True, the stairs are not for the faint of heart, and the limestone breaths so everything has a slightly damp feel to it, but this only added to the charm. We explored the region, including the excellent Skibereen Farms Market and the Ring of Beara, as well as an epic day driving the Healy Pass. Cooking at the castle was easy, as the kitchen was well appointed with everything we needed. Yoga in the little shed was restorative. The views from the upstairs unit were so magnificent that it made leaving the room a difficult task! Stephanie is an excellent communicator, everything was as listed. Bucket-list item accomplished!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Truly Unique Experience
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! If you are looking for a truly unique property and experience, Rincolisky Castle is an excellent choice. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience. The beauty, history and charm of the Castle is unbeatable. Stephanie has kept the original castle intact, but carefully updated it enough, but not enough to lose its character and charm. It is obviously the result of a labor of love. If you are looking for Disneyland Castle, this is not the place for you. This is the real deal.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
We absolutely loved our stay here! The stairs are definitely not for the faint of heart, but this was a once in a lifetime experience and we loved every second of it! The bay is absolutely stunning and you just can’t beat the views. The castle is just outside of town, far enough away to feel remote but close enough that we could go grab lunch and explore the cute shops! Highly suggest a stay here, just remember it’s a 500 year old building, not a fancy hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Audra R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A magical place to reset
My partner and I stayed here for three nights. Gwen and Stephanie were nothing but accommodating. A gael storm came through while we were there and they came by to just make sure we were ok. We loved the storm and found it to be the best place to be to witness mother nature’s power. We even felt extremely safe knowing the castle has been there for hundreds of years! We cooked dinner every night and had no issues. The place was surprisingly warm even with the colder winds and rain outside. A great getaway and absolutely magical scenery. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

gina s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Breathtaking views
Everything I thought it would be Such a memorable experience Relaxing, romantic, historical Our perfect last stop before leaving Ireland I will never forget it
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leslie R., Wentzville MO

Liked: Cleanliness
View is breathtaking
Beautiful location! The bedroom suite is definitely worth it. Had a great time walking the property as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Thomas P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Staying at the Castle
The views, surroundings and area at the Castle are amazing! The Castle is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. As noted in the listing - this is not for everyone. Elderly may have issues with all the steps as well as young children. Stephanie is a very nice host and easy to chat with. If you are looking for something different and can manage the steps - this is a wonderful choice.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Amanda S.

Liked: Cleanliness
You’re in for an experience (no kids <7 should stay here)
Cons first - Many stairs. Top floor is 25 steep steps up a low rock hall, which sounds cool but was a bit much. It was also VERY windy up there for the whole trip. This rattled the windows/ whistled. I ended up joining my kids in their “room”. My 7 year old son was barely old enough to safely stay here. I would NOT recommend this place to anyone with kids younger than age 7, or with any kid of physical limitations. There are stairs up from the main floor and also from the mezzanine up a spiral staircase. The mezzanine and “kids” room is open to the rest of the castle so is open to noise in the castle and wind. Very humid in the “kids room” as well, which is due to the dampness of the castle walls which are whitewashed (and flake on the counters and floors). The place isn’t especially clean but I do imagine it’s hard to maintain due to the elements and white walls flaking. The bathroom on the top floor has drainage issues - I have been in many showers which are open to the room and they drain properly & this isn’t “normal”. The water pools on the floor and must be squeegeed down then wiped with towels. Pros- private, neat fireplace and ability to cook (but bring your own dish soap/basic food items/dishwasher tabs). Had to ask for clean duvet cover and more kitchen towels but the owner was responsive & provided the requested items. The instructions were clear. The internet was pretty good. Liked having a bbq. Overall- very unique experience/like camping in a castle.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leila G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic Charm on Roaring Water Bay
We stayed here with our 16-year-old daughters and five-year-old son. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it here. The kids especially enjoyed playing down at the rocky beach area, sometimes the sea babies (seals) would even come in close enough to see. Remember, this is a tower so your legs will get a workout (not a bad thing in my opinion) and the stairs to the top are steep but keep in mind that they are original. Our five-year-old had the stairs down on his own within a day, but you'll want to supervise if you have little ones. The views are amazing, and this is a great home base for exploring. Skibbereen and Baltimore are reasonable drives with a lot to offer. Everyone was super responsive and helpful; the host leaves some great recommendations as well to help with planning. This was a really peaceful place, and we cherished our time here.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Heather N.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Great Castle but.....
Pros---This is a great opportunity to stay in an authentic castle, One-of-a-kind experience. Awesome location and unbelievable view. Love the room at the top. Surprisingly warm in all levels. Good hot water. Strong Wifi. Host provides good directions and recommendations. Can tell put alot of care into restoration. Cons--Yes, I understand it is a 500 yr old castle. There will be cobwebs and dust, understandable. No problem with that. However, the modern aspects of the accomadations that can be controlled are not. Linens were dirty upon arrival. We used our own t-shirts as pillowcases and the blankets from the airline saved us. All extra blankets very dusty. Towels disgusting. We went to a shop to buy our own. Cobwebs and dust in upstairs modern bathroom. When using shower, it does not drain correctly and floods the whole toilet/sink area. The two beds in the loft area cannot be used. A dust of lime from the ceiling covers you each night. Do not want to breathe in.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris G.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Buzz L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing views
The views were amazing. Our neighbors were literal cows and they were super friendly. 10/10 would cow again. Being on the bay and walking along the sea was breathtaking. Lots of cool towns within short drives. The recommendations the host leaves are an excellent way to plan your days. Cool experience to stay in a tower house/castle that has history. The castle stairs to the top room are not for the faint of heart, but would happily recommend anyone wanting a unique stay in a beautiful area.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing private waterfront castle tower
This checked a bucket-list item for our stay in Ireland in a big way by letting us stay in a castle with authentic feeling charm (rather than a lot of the castle hotels which look like typical hotels inside). The waterfront views, especially from the 3rd story terrace, were incredible and it has a part right down to the rocky shoreline. It had its quirks (lots of stairs including very narrow up to the 3rd floor bedroom, limited hot water for showers [understandable with the rustic nature], and strong winds at times [trade off for the location]) but I am my 3 traveling companions agreed we’d strongly recommend a stay here for anyone touring southwest Ireland. Sitting around the stone fireplace of a castle with drinks at the end of the night was a great part of a memorable trip. The owner was extremely responsive and worked to provide the needed information ahead of and during our stay. I really appreciated the list of local business/tour/restaurant recommendations she’d provided as well. We had dinner in Baltimore each night at 3 different restaurants (two of which came highly recommended by her and were absolutely on the mark). Do yourself a favor and make a stay at Rincolisky Castle part of your holiday in Ireland.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert N.

Liked: Cleanliness
We Enjoyed our Stay at Roaring Water Bay
We are a family of 5, two boys 18 & 15 and a girl 12. We enjoyed the country side, fishing, the town of Baltimore and exploring around. The stay was very low-key, no schedule, and a great break at the middle of our two week tour of Ireland.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

brendan b.

Liked: Cleanliness
Marvelous and magical on Roaringwater Bay
We loved our stay, especially the quiet nights and serenity. Bring a book, explore the shore, and live peacefully in this wonderfully restored tower house! Can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tony L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Something different
The place and location were amazing. Stairs are a little tight to climb to top floor, but worth it. The shower is small and doesn't hold hot water long. Loved the wind and the rain sound, but something was loose and contributed to the noise. All of it is worth it for an amazing experience and great ambience.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022