Welcome to the Cottage at Doonagore Castle. Nestled alongside one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, Doonagore Castle Cottage has been painstakingly renovated by the castle’s owners, merging authentic 300-year-old features with modern amenities, to offer guests a unique vacation experience. Doolin village, famous for its music and culinary delights, is a ten-minute walk away, the dramatic not-to-be-missed cliffs of Moher a short drive, and a spectacular 14th century castle right next door.
The space
Situated conveniently with easy access to all the drama, culture and beauty of Ireland’s storied West Coast, the cottage has been designed for both romantic get-a-aways and family vacations.
The spacious master bedroom (originally the cottage’s donkey shed) includes a Queen bed, generous wardrobe, desk (if work interrupts your vacation), seating for two for reading or relaxation, and an expansive, wall-to-wall panoramic picture window which perfectly frames the town of Doolin, the bay and the Aran Islands, spectacular sunsets, and the occasional inquisitive cow.
Features of the second bedroom (originally the cottage’s main bedroom) include: two single beds with brand new mattresses, a desk, chest of drawers and a chain on the wall where, back in the day, the farmer would secure his cow. The cow was not in the room to save it from wandering off in the night, it was there to warm the room with its body heat. In the recent renovation of the cottage, individual room electric heating was installed, so there is no longer a requirement for the presence of the cow.
Following a gut renovation, the new bathroom features an expansive, tiled walk-in shower with pressurized rain-head, radiant heated tile flooring, and heated towel rack. The designer vanity and sink are framed by an LED backed heated mirror (to prevent fogging). Adjacent to the bathroom is a closet containing a new combination washer / dryer.
The heart of the cottage is the open-plan main-room. You’ll enter the cottage here and immediately be struck by the drama created by the vaulted wooden ceiling. But the centerpiece of the room is the capacious original stone fireplace, now no longer required for cooking purposes following the introduction of up-to-the-minute appliances in the newly renovated kitchen. Housed within a cut-granite topped kitchen island, are a Bosch electric cook top and oven, brand new dishwasher, and single spout modern kitchen faucet and drop-in sink. The kitchen also boasts a family-sized refrigerator, toaster, microwave, coffee maker and kettle.
Under a picture window sits the dining table. Not huge but certainly large enough to accommodate 4 comfortably, this is where you’ll enjoy your morning coffee with the family as you plan the day’s adventures or enjoy a romantic dinner for two. Connect the Bose speaker to your personal device and choose your preferred musical accompaniment to the occasion.
Exit the cottage through the double-Dutch back door onto a private outdoor patio with reclining lounge chairs and side tables. This patio affords perfect and exclusive views of the picturesque castle on the hill above.
Everything about this cottage exudes charm, from the time etched stone floors to the hand-hewn wooden beams, to that striking original kitchen hearth. History and legend are ingrained within its elegant, white-washed walls.
Guest access
Guests have acess to the entire property, however entry to the castle is restricted. There is private parking for the cottage guests and the town with its many restaurants and pubs is a short walk down the hill.
Other things to note
Although the cottage is an authentic 300-year-old building with stone walls and floors, wooden ceilings and low doorways, it has been extensively renovated and modernized – without losing its original character and charm. Additions and updates include: electric power, WiFi, electric heating throughout, smoke and fire alarms etc.
Over the past 50 years the cottage has been used exclusively by the family who own Doonagore Castle when they were visiting Ireland from the USA but following the recent extensive renovation, it is now available to rent via AirBnB for all to enjoy the magic and wonder of Ireland’s magnificent west coast.
