Drishane Beach Cottage
One of Life’s Hidden Pleasures
Book this homeCounty Cork
Perched on a sheltered ledge overlooking Castlehaven beach there is this compact stone cottage simply radiating joie de vivre.
The house has been completely refurbished and modernised to maximise use of space and take full advantage of the idyllic location, yet still retains its simple, unique and romantic charm.

An old stone cottage rejuvenated
The entire ground floor is given over to an elegant, open living space, encompassing kitchen, dining and sitting rooms. Large uncluttered double glazing not only gives access to the spectacular surrounding seascape but amply light the interior engendering a spacious ambience.
The traditional open hearth, embracing a wood-burning stove, and split stable door entrance, are both practical and romantic.

Roughly plastered walls in chalky tones, together with the use of natural materials like local stone and timber, further enhance the country cottage style of this contemporary make over.
The bathroom, with separate shower lies off a return landing on the stairs.
On this level is also small utility room with washing machine.
There is a fine master bedroom upstairs, where clever use of the dormer space allows for a very cosy single bedroom, and a more open semi-mezzanine twin room.
Facilities
The cottage is centrally heated and has cable TV, washing machine and microwave.
If you have a particular requirement, be sure to tell us …

Outside
French doors open eastwards onto a crazy paved panoramic patio with incredible views across the bay, a magnificent barbecue location.
Just below is the beach and slipway of Castlehaven – ideal for launching kayaks. It can be reached directly, but it’s something of a scramble.
The cottage is at the westerly end of the Drishane Estate that stretches over to Castletownshend. It is approached from above down a precipitous and twisting private driveway, but there is ample flat turning space ahead.
Restrictions
Smoking – No, sorry!
The owners regret Stag or Hen parties are not admissible.
Other pets are welcome.
Allergy Warning! Please note that this is a Dog Friendly Home. If you intend bringing a dog, please tell us about him/her when booking.

Provisional Booking Form
This Home is only let by the week.
Important – A Week’s booking runs from Saturday to Saturday
Christmas and New Year are high season as above, for other Public holidays – please apply for rates.
A refundable breakages deposit payable with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.
April to May | €950 per week |
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June to September | €1,250 per week |
October to November | €950 per week |
December to March | €780 per week |
Select your Dates
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Your travel arrangements are important, so all provisional bookings are double checked with the owners to ensure that your plans do not conflict with theirs, this can take up to 24 hours, but we haven’t forgotten about you.!
Provisional bookings will be followed up by email, at which point we can answer specific queries you may have, verify your booking and request a deposit to confirm.
Please note that all unconfirmed provisional bookings will expire after 3 days.
If your preferred dates are not available, please click here to review all houses that match your dates.
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Reviews
Drishane Beach Cottage is an absolute gem…
and we loved every moment we spent there. The setting is spectacular and much more impressive than the photos would suggest.
The cottage itself was cosy, warm and beautifully decorated and had everything we could possibly need. Our little dog, Billie loved the freedom to explore the grounds and the pebble beach and pier beside it.
Tom and Jane were lovely to deal with and extremely helpful. This is a place that is very special and we will definitely be returning.
We cannot recommend this highly enough.
Brona and Barry, April 2019
The cottage had the most amazing views. It was great for the three of us. The owners were really friendly and helpful. Great location to visit the local area. If you want peace and quiet then great place to stay.
Tim Snodin, June 2019
Out & About
West Cork has food, festivals, folklore and the ocean – all inviting exploration.
There’s loads to do and see, we can’t list everything, but here are a few of our favourites…
Here are some of our favourites…
- Sunday lunch on Heir Island
- Fish off the Fastnet
- Catch up on history
- Great music on Sherkin Island
- Whale watching with Colin
- Dine locally at Mary Ann’s
- Play a round at Skibbereen
- A bowl of mussels in Bantry
- Grab yourself a pint at Ring Hayes Bar
- Yoga at an Sanctoir
- Dive off Baltimore
Annual festivals a-plenty include Traditional Irish music Festival, Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival, Skibbereen Food Festival, Cape Clear Storytelling, and many sailing events including Calves Week
The Locality
Apart from the beach below the cottage there are a number of small alternatives. The more sandy and south facing blue flag beach at Tragumna is about 15 minutes away, and an easy cycle.
One of Ireland’s most visited megalithic sites, the Druids Alter or Drombeg Stone Circle is just 30 minutes away – a bronze age relic that still harbours secrets.
The cottage commands views of the deep sheltered water of Castlehaven Bay. It was here that a small Spanish Armada was drubbed in 1602, an event that prompted the end of the old Gaelic Order and the Flight of the Earls.
Skibbereen is about 18km away and is main town in the region. This is a vibrant town and there is an excellent market here on Saturdays selling artisan food and crafts.
Hereabouts is the traditional home of the McCarthy clan – so if that’s your name, then chances are this is where you started.
Already extremely poor, this area suffered dis-proportionally in the Potato Famine in the middle of the 19th century that resulted in the deaths of over 1 million people and the emigration of at least that many more. Some 9,000 victims are thought to be buried in burial pits of Skibbereen.
25 minutes from the cottage there is a fine walk to the summit above Lough Hyne. Flooding with sea water at high tide, the lake is populated with aquatically unique specimens, and is a Nature Reserve.
photo Ludovic Peron
There are ferries from Baltimore to the Islands. The town has a long tradition of wooden boat building and for 40 years from the late 1800’s was home to a prodigious fishing industry for export to North America.
About 20 minutes west is the busy inlet of Roaringwater Bay, where you will find Carberry’s 100 Isles – although there are in fact less than 50.
Baltimore, probably Ireland’s most southern town was raided by Algerian pirates in 1631 and 107 villagers taken to North Africa as slaves. The archipelago acquired the description via a 19th century poem detailing that event.
Most of the islands are red sandstone formations with shorelines that have been heavily weathered by the Atlantic into jagged nibs, sharp cliffs and archways.
For the past 20 years the actor Jeremy Irons has lived with his family in a substantial 15th century castle overlooking the Bay that he painstakingly restored.
Before the Great Famine, Cape Clear Island had over a thousand inhabitants – today there are about 100. They are Ireland’s most southerly citizens.
The states most southerly point is the Fastnet Rock – 6km closer to the equator – where its lighthouse suffers extreme weather events. During storm Ophelia in October 2017 a record breaking gust of 191 kph was registered.
How to get there – Car advised..
By Air: Cheap flights to Kerry Airport (Farrenfore) Cork, Dublin or Shannon.
Kerry Airport – approx 2 hours from house.
Cork Airport – approx 1.5 hours from house.
Shannon Airport – approx 3.5 hours from house.
Dublin Airport – approx 4.5 hours from house.
By Sea: Ferry crossings from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare.
Stena Express – 120 mins (summer only from Fishguard)
Rosslare Port is approx 4 hours from house
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 4 hours from house