Coolmain Castle, owned by Disney family, on market for €7.5m in Cork

James Cox

Coolmain Castle in West Cork, owned by the Disney family, has been put up for sale with an asking price of €7.5 million.

A magical 18th-century castle, the property overlooks the sea and the estuary to Courtmacsherry Bay, it is an 18-minute drive from Kinsale town.

In all, it includes about 56 acres (23 Hectares), six receptions, nine bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Coolmain Castle includes stunning countryside views along with expansive sea views from the castle grounds.

A tree-lined avenue provides an apporach fit for a Disney castle, from where a stone arch leads to an inner courtyard. Stone walls providing "an extremely pleasant aesthetic".

The house is presented in superb condition and is "simply magical".

The symmetrical five-bay original Georgian house is augmented by the 19th-century castellated tower and battlemented parapet walls.

The accommodation is well laid out and updated to readily allow comfortable living, incorporating modern convenience whilst retaining historical character.

The reception rooms are impressive with large windows and generous ceiling heights.

The kitchen is a large space to allow for gatherings with family and guests. There are ample bedroom suites, and the first-floor sunroom conservatory is distinctive.

The original L-Shaped Stable yard has been carefully upgraded and features a modern self-contained three-bedroom caretakers' residence, three well appointed loose boxes and an abundance of overhead lofted storage, which would allow for further conversion.

The gardens and grounds are described as "glorious".

A blend of formal terraces and manicured lawns within the immediate gardens into less formal gardens and the wider parkland works superbly.

The use of manicured pathways throughout the parkland link the gardens to the wider lands and provide pleasant walks. The outer coastal lands connect the estate to the sea and provide some lovely private coves and beaches. Coolmain beach is noted for its pristine powdery sand. Overall, the various component parts of the estate "all combine to present a truly magical and attractive circa 56-acre estate".

Coolmain Castle has been home to the Disney family for the past 35-years. Purchased by Roy E Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and vice-charman of the Walt Disney Company, in 1989 and comprehensively restored and updated Coolmain Castle has been meticulously maintained ever since.

Notable owners before the Disney’s have included Henry Boyle Bernard, Thomas Wyse, Hibernicus Scott, the novelist Donn Byrne, photographer Bob Willougby ‘the man who virtually invented the photojournalistic motion picture still’ and most recently the Disney family.

The castle is available fully furnished and with garden tools and equipment included, quoting price is €7,500,000.