A historic waterfront residence with private sea access and panoramic Atlantic views is on the market in West Cork.
Dursey Shore Lighthouse Residence sits high on rugged cliffs overlooking Dursey Sound, framed by Dursey Island and Crow Head. It features a private slipway, cut-stone pier, and direct access to the foreshore — ideal for boating and swimming.
The site includes a former storehouse above the slipway, perfect for storing kayaks or converting for lifestyle use. The property's location is in the heart of one of Ireland’s most spectacular sailing and boating areas.
Originally built in the 1860s to house personnel from the Calf Rock Lighthouse, the now fully restored residence spans 380 sq.m (4,096 sq. ft.) with four bedrooms. It can function as one large family home or two separate dwellings.
The home sits on approximately two acres of grounds, offering complete privacy and unobstructed views of the Atlantic. Most rooms benefit from the exceptional setting.
Two Victorian-style conservatories and decorative red brick details maintain the character of the original structure while maximising natural light. A sundial beside the house marks the location of the last sunset of the last millennium in Western Europe, underlining its unique coastal position. Additional buildings include a boathouse, a floored loft space, and two stone outbuildings, offering flexible use as workshops, studios or additional accommodation.
“Relatively few homes along the Beara Peninsula have direct access to the sea,” said a local property agent. “Even fewer have the history and setting this one offers.”
The grounds feature a raised deck for sea views, as well as lawns and patios surrounded by wild coastal scenery. Steps carved into the rock lead to a secluded swimming cove.
Nearby amenities include the Dursey Island cable car, sailing and fishing, and the port town of Castletownbere, just 30 minutes away.
The house remained in use by lighthouse keepers and their families until 1940 and was sold by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1946. It was restored and converted to a private dwelling in the 1990s.
The Calf Rock lighthouse, which it once served, was destroyed in a storm in 1881. All six lighthouse keepers were dramatically rescued by local islanders days later. The lighthouse was never rebuilt; instead, a new one was erected on nearby Bull Rock.
This property, steeped in maritime heritage and situated at the edge of Europe, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of West Cork’s coastal legacy.
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