The Castle gallery Gallery
The Castle
Co. Cork
Bed & Breakfast
+353 (0)28 36100
Visit owner's website
£100 - £200
per night
A 17th-Century Irish castle on the water’s edge. Watch the yachts from your bedroom, join local wine nights, discover the rich history
7 rooms
Rooms sleep 2
Your enquiry details
2 Guests 04 Dec 24 - 04 Dec 24
Direct with the owner
Visit the owner’s chosen website for availability, online booking or contact details.
Enquire through Sawday's
Fill out the enquiry form and we'll pass your questions onto the owner.
What part does Sawday’s play?
£100 - £200 per night
The Experience
History lovers will be delighted with saluting canons, family crests, weaponry and a door propped open by cannon balls. Staying in a real 1650s castle, with visitors by day, is very special indeed and when evening comes the place is yours. Sharon gives you an honesty bar so enjoy a sundowner on the lawn in sunny weather or by the fireside in winter.
In the grand breakfast room, Union Hall smoked salmon and local meats are on the menu. The café offers homemade goodies; plans for a kitchen garden are afoot. Book a wine dinner at Mary-Ann’s seafood restaurant-gallery just up the hill. Hike, bike or kayak, hop in the car for Skibereen.
Return to rooms with evocative names like Colonel, Archbishop and Chavenage. Find a four-poster here, a roll-top there and big bay views from most. The Castle’s thick walls and modern heating make things cosy all year round.
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We think you'll love
- The honesty bar
- Social summer evenings around fire pits in the garden
- Staying in a sea view room
You should know
- The café is busy with day visitors in summer
- Rooms are tricky for those with little mobility
- This is for grown-ups, not children
Essentials
- EV charger
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Accommodation
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £100
- 1 Twin
- From £110
- 4 Doubles
- From £100
- 2 Suites for 2
- From £130
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- 4pm-8pm
- Check out
- By 11am
- Closed
- Christmas, New Year, 30 November - 31 December, 1 January - 5 March.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Pub 2-minute walk.
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Reviews
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From our first chat on the phone I knew Sharon was going to be a superb host and she truly was. The Castle is a quirky building with curiosities and family treasures round every corner. If you arrive late and miss the excellent seafood kitchen at Mary Ann's, relax by the fire with a bottle of Malbec from the honesty bar instead. Thoughtful to the last, this is heaven for history lovers.
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Location
The neighbourhood
Castletownshend is a quiet cul-de-sac on the edge of a peninsula. The Castle marks the end of the road. Follow its woodland trails and visit the church or hike to Knockdrum fort for epic views. This tiny village comes alive with summer visitors and boaters. Skibereen is 10 minutes by car with The Church Restaurant, lauded cafés and a Saturday farmers’ market. Glandore and Rosscarbery are close, too. Go boating or explore the coast in a kayak.
Local points of interest from Sharon Poulter
- The ruin of the first castle in the area, ‘Bryans Fort’, still remains in The Castle's grounds, having been attacked by the O’Driscolls who ruled the sea.
- The Café at the Castle is the perfect place to take a break, relax and enjoy the scenic views of the picturesque waterfront of Castletownshend: open every day June-August, and weekends and bank holidays during September-December and March-May.
- Climb up to Knockdrum Stone Fort to catch its brilliant views over the ocean - five minutes' drive. On the hill opposite is Gurranes Stone Row, also known as the Three Fingers.
- Head out on a night kayak with Atlantic Sea Kayaking tours and discover the magical bioluminescence in the water.
- Book a whale watching trip from Union Hall or Baltimore
- Discover Skibbereen market town just 10 mins away, the farmers market on every Saturday or stop by the heritage centre and learn about the Great Famine or connect with your Irish past.
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Introducing
Sharon Poulter
Your witty, welcoming co-host Sharon met partner Justin (an 11th-generation Townshend) while working in advertising in London. She’s run the familial castle as a B&B since 2015, with Justin working away during the week. They love living in their castle and looking after their guests, beautifully.
Staying at The Castle is a rare privilege at an affordable price. The location, the view, the decor, the comfort, the history, the staff - all are top notch! Add to that the unexpected discovery of being in Sommerville and Ross territory (the authors of The Irish R.M.) and you know you are in a little corner of paradise. Our visit will stay forever in our memories as we were enjoying the peace of the family graveyard on the hill above the hotel when we heard the news that the Queen had passed away. A sad and poignant experience in a very special place.