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

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

A bedroom with a large bed, wooden flooring, and a view of the sea through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Property video
A modern glass-walled bedroom with a view of the sea and a stone terrace.
A modern living room with a fireplace, a dining area, and a large window offering a view of the sea.
A stone tower with a glass extension, surrounded by green fields and a clear sky.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Skibbereen, Cork
  • Place, Skibbereen Heritage Centre
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Place, Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Place, Lough Hyne
    ‪26 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

What's nearby

  • Skibbereen Heritage Centre - 21 min drive - 15.4 km
  • Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club - 24 min drive - 16.5 km
  • Lough Hyne - 26 min drive - 21.3 km
  • Liss Ard Gardens - 26 min drive - 18.5 km
  • Bantry House - 39 min drive - 35.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Amar's Cafe - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Levis Corner House - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Síbín - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Jacob's Bar - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪The Bunratty Inn - ‬22 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, 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.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

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

Things to do

  • Books
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Playground
  • Sauna
  • Video library

Outdoors

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

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • 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

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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

Fill out the rental agreement and mail it back to owner at least one week before arrival.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. 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. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Property is also known as

Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork Skibbereen

Frequently asked questions

Does Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available have a pool?

No, this castle doesn't have a pool.

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

You bet! With amenities such as a playground, a BBQ and children's dinnerware, it's no surprise that Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?

No, Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available does not offer an airport shuttle service.

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

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Romantic Castle at Roaring Water Bay in West Cork - Weekend special available?

No, pets are not allowed.

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

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 79 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 79 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 79 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 79 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 79 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was easy to communicate with and property was very unique. Surrounding area was beautiful and the ocean views were spectacular. Only note was that the hot tub mentioned in the listing is no longer available.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Barbara R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cool place to stay. Nicely renovated. So unique! The interior stairs were original, and somewhat of a challenge as they are very steep and each step is very tall, but that is the nature of a castle, and we made do. Location is lovely and we are very glad we were able to experience this remarkable castle.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Douglas J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A once in lifetime opportunity to stay in a restored tower! The views were incredible and it was an experience we will never forget. Must be good at navigating steep and numerous stairs. We were comfortable and warm considering it's a stone castle, as the floor heating was nice.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Laurie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The castle was a great experience and was warm and comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

valerie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Living even for a short time in a castle is a unique experience. It is just rustic enough to get a feel for castle life and just modern enough to make it comfortable. The grounds are lush and the area is quiet. Otters were on the rocks down by the water at the bottom of the stairs at waters edge. The top floor has an amazing view with lots of glass and a sheltered patio. We had some concerns, but Stephanie was quick to respond. My only criticism would be the bed on middle floor was uncomfortable, it is a futon and I’m sure furnishing a castle must be a challenge. The wifi was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

J S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you like history. Rinn chuil uisce castle is a mustLocal pub not far, west cork is beautiful.people were great.Hope to visit again one day!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah H.

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

Castle

Great place great views
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Leslie R.

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christopher B.

Truly unique! Exactly as described!

We absolutely loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified review

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

gina s.

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

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

Vernon S.

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

Fine

Fine stay
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

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
Verified review

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
Verified review

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda W.

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

Amazing views and great rustic experience

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tara M.

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of three (two adults and a 17 year old) history buffs were so excited to have the opportunity to stay in this castle. Stephanie was very clear that she had been very intentional about how she restored the castle and it was exactly as described. The outside and parts of the inside were restored but not updated so that we could really immerse ourselves in the history and truly feel the lives of the people who had lived there. When we were in need of a more modern break and some creature comforts, we escaped to the top floor where we lounged in the sunshine and the beautiful view. Thank you Stephanie for preserving this precious piece of history and for sharing it with us. Some advice is to bring your own pillow and blanket if you will be sleeping anywhere but on the top floor if you have any allergies. The castle is by its nature, damp and I'm sure it's impossible to keep the linens fresh especially in the rainy spring when we visited. Also bring some sturdy soled slippers/inside shoes for navigating the stairs.
Beautiful view from the top
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

Thomas P.

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Buzz L.

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

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