The Lighthouse Cottages are two side by side houses situated on The Galley Head. Each cottage sleeps 4 guests, and they can be rented either separately or together for groups of between 5 - 8.
Extraordinary holiday rental which commands panoramic views over the Bay on the Wild Atlantic. The Galley Head Lightkeepers' cottages are perched dramatically on cliffs at about 130 feet above sea level overlooking St George's Channel. This landmark lighthouse property benefits from a spectacularly unique setting, conveniently close to the Clonakilty town centre and local beaches.
The views from every angle are genuinely awe-inspiring and breathtaking. The lighthouse which dates back to 1875 displays an unusual landward arc of light because it is said, the Sultan of Turkey wanted to see it from nearby Castle Freke at Rosscarbery while on a visit there. The house at Castle Freke, abandoned in 1952, can now be seen from Galley as a gothic ruin.
History The two keepers' houses at Galley Head, were taken on by Irish Landmark in the final years of the 20th century. Lightkeepers who lived here would have witnessed the tragic loss of the Lusitania in 1915 and sighted a German ship carrying arms, in disguise as Norwegian steam, pursued up the St. George's Channel by British destroyers a year later. It is also said that Ray Bradbury based his melancholy story "The Fog Horn" on a reported sighting of a sea serpent at Galley in 1860.
The station consists of a tower connected by a 38-metre corridor to the semi-detached, two-storey, dwelling, initially built for the principal and assistant keeper, a single-storey home for the gas maker. The two houses have been restored to their original symmetrical layout and make an ideal retreat for a family break.
The lighthouse cottages are in an 'Area of Special Interest', with Clonakilty Bay being home to a variety of rare and unusual birds. This is a superior vacation home by the sea, from where you can explore the outstanding beauty of West Cork, from the stunning Old Head peninsula to the gastronomic delights of Clonakilty.
"A most perfect place and space for resting the body and mind. Couldn’t think of anywhere finer to spend a week’s holidays."
RobertIreland
2019
"Our first visit to an Irish Landmark property but I daresay won’t be our last. In an era awash with mediocrity it’s refreshing to walk into a property so carefully and considerably restored. We loved our time here."
Johnathan
July 2024
10/10 experience. Ill recommend it to anyone
TrudyM
June 2024
What a unique stay, loved every minute. Not many people can say they stayed in a lighthouse in Ireland!
NatashaUK
September 2020
"Like stepping back in time"
Spent a very unique 5 days here last September. Location is truly out of this world - nothing but sky, sea and stars! The accommodation is clean and spacious. We had everything we needed and were incredibly comfortable.
Nothing but sky, sea, wind and stars. Here is a chance to immerse yourself in another time and place. The Galley Head Lightkeeper's House is spare, but comfortable and the views from every window are like nothing else. The road to the light is narrow and twisty, setting the tone for a truly unique experience. Isolated from the usual tourist destinations, you are alone with the light and the elements. Hiking along the cliffs is magical and watching the light streak across the bedroom wall as you drift off to sleep is something other-worldly. The house is well-equipped with linens, dishes, kitchen necessities, but if you want food, you MUST plan ahead and bring everything with you. It's not a place that invites you to 'run out' for milk. We loved building a fire in the parlor with peat bricks each evening and laying in the grass under the light in the full dark, looking at the sky, the stars and the light streaking across the night. You can almost imagine what it was like for the family that kept the light and lived in this beautiful and remote place. A unique travel experience.
ReneeUSA
July 2020
"Fantastic experience"
Gorgeous house with huge kitchen area. The location is absolutely stunning!! Very cosy and romantic with dramatic sounds and scenery. It's isolated but still close enough to Clonakilty.
Giles HUSA
April - 2018
"A real experience" A colleague said “go stay in a lighthouse”. So we did, we spent a couple of days in late March (we had all 4 seasons in every day, it is seriously exposed), and we loved it. It is a 100+ year old building, it has no wi-fi (indeed, very weak cell signal), it is creaky, it is blustery and it is beautiful. The man who welcomed us and gave us the keys (through two locked gates, this is seriously off the beaten path) had grown up in the lighthouse as his Dad had been the keeper and he went on to do this himself. Lots of stories, amazing hospitality, stunning views and on the last day he took us up the lighthouse and gave us the history etc. Amazing! It had a functional kitchen, comfortable living room and the bedrooms were just fine. (This is not the Ritz, but then, that’s not why you would go there: its also half an hour from the nearest grocery store, which was excellent BTW). If you are looking for a different kind of experience, go for it. Seriously beautiful location.
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