Skibbereen Heritage Centre - 21 min drive - 15.2 km
Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club - 22 min drive - 15.3 km
St. Patrick's Cathedral - 23 min drive - 15.9 km
Lough Hyne - 25 min drive - 18.0 km
Liss Ard Gardens - 26 min drive - 18.0 km
Restaurants
The Townhouse O D's - 22 min drive
L'Escale Fish & Chips - 22 min drive
Budd' S Of Ballydehob - 15 min drive
The Bunratty Inn - 22 min drive
Levis Corner House - 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 led 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 dialogue between the historic with the contemporary, with the luxurious and the rustic. 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 very comfortable Queen Size 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 of 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 is a sauna next to the sea, two stone stairs are leading down to a “beach” where swimming is possible during high tide. Nature walks in the surrounding and on Heir Island are possible even in rain. A ferry can be booked from Cunamore Pier, which is in walking distance but also provides parking facilities to visit the two Michelin Star Restaurant as well as Baltimore Castle.
"Things to Know Before Booking"
Château Rincolisky is an authentic historic property full of character, but it is not suitable for young children or babies (under 12 years old). The property features high and steep stone staircases, as well as a mezzanine accessible by a spiral staircase, which may pose a risk for younger guests. The château does not have a dedicated children’s bedroom, and the sofa located in the top-floor room is not intended for children to sleep on. We therefore recommend the stay for adults and teenagers aged 12 and up, to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.
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
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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.
How much does it cost to stay at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?
As of 27 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available on 1 Apr 2026 start from AU$666, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?
On-site parking is available at the 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, West Cork Arts Centre and Liss Ard Gardens. 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.
So cool!!! In Ireland, at a castle, and we got to stay in it! Build a fire, climb the stairs, enjoy the view, and snuggle up in the nice top floor bed.
Mike L.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathryn
18 Sept 2025
Such a fun experience. Be prepared. It’s rustic on the bottom and new on top. The grounds and the host are both lovely. Make sure to stop at Minihans local pub. So fun.
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.
We had such a great time staying at this amazing historical site. Stephanie was very communicative and helpful with instructions and recommendations. This castle really immerses you in the history of the location. I picked this location for the amazing views and the unique experience. If you want history and beauty this is your place. If you want 5 star hotel with fancy accommodations this is not your place. But it definitely got 5 stars from me.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Steve S.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Tiffany B.
14 Mar 2024
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).
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.