The Castle

Co. Cork
Bed & Breakfast
+353 (0)28 36100
Visit owner's website

From
£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

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.

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

Swimming pool
EV charger
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

Pricing

Nightly price: from £100

1 Twin: From £110
4 Doubles: From £100
2 Suites for 2: From £130

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.

Reviews

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.

Geraldine, Scottsville, Virginia, USA Sep 2022

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.

Kerry, Sawday's inspector Apr 2019

Read more reviews

Leave a review

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.

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.

The Castle

Your enquiry details

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Accommodation

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Sharon Poulter

The Castle

Enquiry details

Your enquiry details

How to book

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Accommodation

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Sharon Poulter

Taking you to The Castle