Step aside, Cinderella, there’s a new castle in town and it’s for sale. Forget the glass slippers and pumpkin carriage, this majestic Irish manor straight out of a fairytale is nestled in the picturesque County Cork, offering a slice of real-life enchantment. From its towering turrets to its sprawling grounds, this stunning property promises a life fit for royalty. But is this dream castle within reach for the average buyer? Unionjournalism investigates…
A Real Disney Castle Hits the Market in County Cork, Ireland
The chance to buy a real Disney castle and 56 acres of Disney land thrown in has just come to the international property market in coastal West Cork. It’s yours for a far from Mickey Mouse sum, as it’s expected to fetch over €7.5m.
Disney castles are global cultural icons, with the first of six varied fantasy ones around the world built in California in 1955. Here’s a seventh – Coolmain Castle – one that was built far, far earlier, and is a dwarf by comparison. It dates back to the late 1700s, on a golden stretch west of Irish property hotspot Kinsale on the Wild Atlantic Way to West Cork, and has been in private Disney family hands since 1989, with local sources saying “it was their Shangri-La.”
Set beside the sea at Courtmacsherry Bay, Coolmain Castle evolved from a Georgian-era country home, with a turreted tower built as an ocean lookout in the 1800s as an imaginative add-on worthy of any Disney fantasy. Coolmain has enormous allure with up to nine bedrooms, tennis pavilion, lily pond, walled garden, courtyard with staff/guest house and stables, seaside setting and cove access.
A Rare Opportunity for Buyers
Even without the sheen of the Disney name, Coolmain Castle has enormous allure: an immaculate home, ‘manageable’ with up to nine bedrooms, a tennis pavilion, lily pond, walled garden, courtyard with staff/guest house and stables, seaside setting, and cove access. It’s within a short drive of Kinsale, Clonakilty, Cork city and airport – and a five-minute helicopter hop to the Old Head of Kinsale, if a 2025 US Augusta Masters winner wants to take a shot at it.
On the back of recent high-end sales and a spate of circa €5m purchases around Kinsale and West Cork, selling agents Andy Donoghue of West Cork’s Hodnett Forde, and David Ashmore of Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty, expect very wide international interest. They don’t rule out an Irish buyer either, given Cork’s track record in castle sales and celebrity owners. With suitably animated bidding, the Disney family’s Munster holiday home may well set a Cork property price record – but is unlikely to reach the dizzying heights of the €30m paid by billionaire James Dyson for the Ballynatray Estate, with period Blackwater River house and 800 acres on the Cork border in Waterford.
Practical Aspects and Insights
Location and Accessibility
Proximity to Kinsale, Clonakilty, Cork city and airport – and a five-minute helicopter hop to the Old Head of Kinsale, if a 2025 US Augusta Masters winner wants to take a shot at it.
Helicopter access to the Old Head of Kinsale, nearby luxury properties and celebrity owners, and the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from the castle’s turrets and battlements, make this a truly unique and exclusive property.
Marketing and Sales
Exclusive tour report and images of Coolmain Castle in the Irish Examiner Property & Home.
Expectations and projections for the sale of Coolmain Castle are high, with selling agents hoping for a quick sale and a high price. The property’s unique features, stunning views, and exclusive location make it an attractive option for buyers looking for a luxury property in West Cork.
Marketing and Sales
Exclusive tour report and images of Coolmain Castle in the Irish Examiner Property & Home.
Expectations and projections for the sale of Coolmain Castle are high, with selling agents hoping for a quick sale and a high price. The property’s unique features, stunning views, and exclusive location make it an attractive option for buyers looking for a luxury property in West Cork.
Comparisons to other high-end sales and celebrity properties in Ireland, such as the €30m paid by billionaire James Dyson for the Ballynatray Estate, highlight the potential for Coolmain Castle to set a new price record in Cork.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the enchanting Disney-inspired castle in County Cork, Ireland, has officially hit the market, presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for luxury enthusiasts and fairy tale aficionados alike. As we delved into the intricacies of this majestic property, it became evident that its grandeur, opulence, and meticulous attention to detail set it apart from any ordinary dwelling. With its sprawling gardens, lavish interiors, and bespoke features, this castle is an ode to the magic of Disney’s iconic creations.
The implications of this rare listing extend beyond the world of real estate, speaking to our collective fascination with the fantastical and the extraordinary. In an era where uniqueness is increasingly rare, this castle represents a beacon of individuality, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to dream big and strive for the extraordinary. As we look to the future, it will be intriguing to observe how this listing influences the luxury market, potentially paving the way for more bespoke, high-end properties that cater to the whims and fancies of discerning buyers.
As we bid farewell to this regal retreat, one cannot help but ponder: what secrets will its stone walls whisper to its future inhabitants, and what fairy tale will unfold within its majestic halls? One thing is certain – this Disney castle will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who dare to dream, inspiring generations to come. And so, we leave you with a poignant reminder: in a world where magic is often relegated to the realm of fantasy, sometimes, the most extraordinary wonders can be found in the most unexpected of places – if only we dare to believe.