See inside the Cork castle where you can stay for €3,500 per day

IF you’re looking for a unique experience of life in a medieval mansion, then you should pay a visit to Casttletownroche in north Cork where a local Air BnB host is offering accommodation in Blackwater Castle for €3,500 per night.

he castle on the banks of the Awbeg River, a tributary of the Blackwater,  is located on the banks of the eponymous river and, according to the advertisement on the online site, sleeps 16 in  nine well appointed rooms with a total of 13 beds. 

Hosts Sheila and Patrick Nordstrom tell visitors to their website that their castle is located five minutes walk from ‘the busy heritage village of busy heritage village of Castletownroche, North Cork set on a 50 acre wooded estate with private river and 10,000 years of history. Become Lord or Lady of your own Medieval Castle with friends and family. The Castle sleeps 25 across 9 suites and has 6 reception rooms. Fully equipped kitchen and privatebar. Hoist your own flag on our 15th century tower!
Getting to stay in a castle doesn’t come cheap – it costs from €3,500 for 24 hours. €4,000 for 3 days/2 nights. €5,000 for 4 days/3 nights.

The medieval castle is the home of the former Viscount of Fermoy and the lords of the Barony of Fermoy and is a unique heritage site of international significance with a history extending 10,000 years to the Mesolithic period. 

It was first built in the 12th century on the site of the fortress of Dún Cruadha, an inland promontory fort which had been established more than 2,500 years previously on a rocky outcrop.  

But while an ancient fort on a  rocky outcrop might not suggest luxury accommodation, Blackwater Castle today promises  beautifully appointed suites, welcoming reception rooms with the added attractions of historical tours and other activities throughout the 50 acre estate of mature native Irish trees and its own private stretch of the River Awbeg. 

Visitors in ancient times, when it wasn’t available on Air BnB, included Mesolithic hunter gatherers, druids, chieftains, Strongbow’s men-at-arms, Sir Walter Realeigh and the late King of pop music, Michael Jackson.  Oliver Cromwell laid siege to the castle while Uachtarán na hÉireann was welcomed with open arms and described it a ‘beautiful place’.