Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 272. “(Travers. IFR) A square late-Georgian house, built ca 1830 by Col. Robert Travers. Burnt 1920, a new house built on different site 1924 by S.E. Travers to the design of W. Henry Hill of Cork. The new house is of stone, with a high eaved roof and a 5 bay symmetrical front, with modern casement windows; the ground floor windows having pleasantly cambered heads. Ruins of old Barry castle on grounds. Gardens with notable collecting of shrubs and trees from all over the world.”
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 255. “(Townshend/IFR; Chavasse/IFR) An irregular two storey house with shallow bows in two adjoining fronts, the nucleus of which is a Georgian house with a fanlighted doorway, built by a contractor named Bailey for himself. Enlarged mid-C19 by Judge J.F. Townshend, and a wing containing a drawing room and dining room added 1913-4 by Major Henry Chavasse, to the design of Henry Hill of Cork. Though the roof of the house, which is eaved, is level, the level of the ground floor goes down, in three stages, toward the harbour, so that the rooms get higher as the floors descend. Massive stone terrace round two sideds. Let during 1940s to Capt and Mrs F. Harrison Maynard. sold 1960.”
Gurteen House, Bandon, West Cork for sale Sept 2024 Hodnet Forde property services.
Gurteen House is a charming six bedroom 18th Century Georgian farmhouse on over an acre of gardens and woodlands. Despite its tranquil and private location, the property is just 1 mile from Bandon Town centre. This spacious and characterful c. 2,800 sq ft residence includes an entrance hall, farmhouse style kitchen, 3 reception rooms, utility room, laundry room, guest WC, and storeroom on the ground floor, with 5 bedrooms and family bathroom on the first floor. The residence also has the benefit of a self-contained, own door one bedroom apartment with open plan lounge and dining area, and a single bedroom with bathroom, leading to a large covered decking area. The property has been sensitively upgraded in recent years to provide all the comfort and convenience of a modern house, but while retaining its historic character, giving a C3 energy rating, which is impressive for a period property of this size. Viewing strictly by appointment only. Located 1 mile from Bandon, the neighbouring towns of Kinsale and Clonakilty are a 20 minute commute, while Cork City and airport are a 25 minute drive. Period Features include fireplaces, working shutters, cornicing, doors and joinery, Minton tiling, 17th Century stone bread oven, and a new Rayburn solid fuel range. Services: Private Water, septic tank, dual heating – OFCH and solid fuel.
Detached four-bay two-storey house, built c.1840, having single-storey extension to side (south-west) elevation and adjoining three-bay two-storey house extension to side (north-east) elevation, in turn having a recent extension to north-east elevation. Original house having pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls with sill band to first floor. Square-headed window openings with tooled limestone sills and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Round-headed door opening with moulded render surround, spooked fanlight to timber panelled door opening to dressed limestone steps. House extension comprises three-bay two-storey house with full-height canted bay to front (south-east) elevation. Pitched artificial slate roof with cut limestone chimneystacks and uPVC rainwater goods. Cut Bath limestone walls having carved decorative string course with carved gargoyles to first floor and Cork marble sill course to ground floor. Square-headed window openings with slanted sills, replacement one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Shouldered square-headed door opening below gable-fronted timber canopy, with Cork marble block-and-start surround, cut Bath limestone lintel with flanking carved head corbels, cut limestone steps and rendered retaining walls with timber columns supporting canopy. Replacement timber battened door. Ruinous two-storey coach house to north-east of site. Roof now missing, rubble stone walls, square-headed openings and segmental-headed carriage arch having red brick voussoirs.
Appraisal
The original house follows the typical symmetrical design lines of plain façade and evenly spaced windows with central door case. The addition was added by the well know Cork architect, Hill, for the daughter of the owners, designed in the then fashionable Gothic Revival style. The flamboyant style contrasts directly with the original house with the two sitting curiously awkwardly beside each other. The later addition uses imported Bath limestone, skilfully carved and finished to achieved maximum effect in the gargoyles and door surround. The Cork marble from Little Island contrasts with the limestone, adding textural variation. Now in use as two separate houses, they make an important contribution to the architectural heritage, displaying architectural styles from both halves of the nineteenth centaury.
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.
Detached three-bay two-storey former rectory, designed 1866, having porch and gablets to front (east) elevation, three-bay three-storey extension to north, projecting gabled end bay with bay window, gablets and three-bay single-storey extension to south. Pitched slate roofs with timber bargeboards, finials and rendered chimneystacks. Pitched slate roof having heavy timber bargeboards to porch. Rendered walls having moulded render string course and plaque to gabled end bay south elevation. Timber scissors brace to porch, front elevation. Square-headed openings to first floor, front elevation having bipartite one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed bipartite openings to ground floor and first floor central bay, front elevation, having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed openings to bay window having two-over-four pane timber sliding sash window flanked by one-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Trefoil-headed window openings to porch, north and south elevations. Square-headed openings to porch having half-glazed timber panelled double-leaf doors with flanking trefoil-headed sidelights. Timber scissors truss ceiling and tiled floor to porch interior.
Appraisal
Robin Hill, designed (1866) by Henry Hill (c.1806-87) of Cork, is characterised by a number of features typical of the Victorian period including an irregular plan and gabled roofline. The porch is particularly notable for its Gothic Revival design and the skill of its overall execution. It forms part of a notable group with the nearby Christ Church (see 20828062).
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025 courtesy Hegarty Properties
€1,200,000, eircode P24RY88 9 beds 8 baths 498 m2
Robin Hill House is a truly magnificent Victorian period property, perched in an elevated position in Rushbrooke, Cobh, with commanding southerly views over Cork Harbour. Designed in 1866 by renowned architect Henry Hill for the distinguished Rushbrooke family, this Grade II listed Heritage residence encompasses all the elegance and grandeur of the Victorian era, with fine proportions, exquisite period detailing, and a timeless charm that has been carefully preserved through generations. Set on a generous 2,429 sq.m. (0.6 acre) plot, the residence extends to c. 498 sq.m. (5,360 sq.ft.), offering extensive and versatile accommodation.
Originally the Rushbrooke family home until the 1950s, the property later served as a Church of Ireland Rectory before moving into private ownership. Over the years, it has evolved from an upmarket guesthouse and fine dining restaurant to its current role as a holistic healing centre with an award-winning guesthouse, operated with great success by the present owners since 2005.
Tastefully restored and sensitively maintained, Robin Hill House remains in superb condition, retaining many of its original features while meeting modern standards of comfort and hospitality.
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.
The property offers immense flexibility for a discerning purchaser—whether as a continuation of the thriving guesthouse business, a luxurious private residence, conversion to apartments, or further development opportunities. Location Highlights Cobh – a picturesque maritime town steeped in history and culture. Cork Harbour – panoramic harbour views with access to sailing, water sports, and fishing. Cork City – just 30 minutes to Cork International Airport and city amenities. Transport links – rail and bus connections to Cork City, plus a nearby car ferry to Glenbrook. Robin Hill House presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Cobh’s most prestigious heritage homes, combining historical significance, commercial potential, and a truly spectacular setting.
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.
Accommodation
The accommodation at Robin Hill House is substantial and highly adaptable, offering a rare combination of period grandeur and modern flexibility. The main house provides six generously proportioned en-suite bedrooms, complemented by a series of elegant reception rooms that showcase the property’s Victorian heritage, alongside a spacious and functional kitchen designed to meet the needs of both family living and hospitality use.
Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.Robin Hill, Lake Road, Cobh, County Cork for sale October 2025, photograph courtesy Hegarty Properties.
Beyond the main residence, the property includes a stylishly refurbished two-bedroom apartment which introduces a contemporary twist, ideal for use as a private rental, guest quarters, or staff accommodation. In addition, a charming self-contained one-bedroom wooden chalet, complete with galley kitchen and bathroom, offers further versatility—perfect as an independent guest suite, retreat space, or supplementary income stream. Collectively, the accommodation blends historical character with modern-day convenience, making it equally suited to private residential use, boutique hospitality, or mixed-use living.
Features
This listed Victorian residence has been thoughtfully preserved and restored, maintaining its historic charm while offering generous accommodation with nine bedrooms in total, including six en-suite bedrooms in the main house. The property is further enhanced by its enchanting private gardens, complete with mature trees, a glasshouse, and a productive kitchen garden. Ample private parking is available for over ten cars, while its elevated position provides sweeping panoramic views across Cork Harbour.
Robin Hill, Cobh, Co. Cork, P24RY88 courtesy Gerard Madden Nov 2024
€1,500,000
9 Bed
8 Bath
498 m²
With its glorious natural scenery, excellent climate, welcoming culture and excellent standards of living, Ireland is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most desirable places across the world to live or visit. On offer here is a chance to make a smart financial investment in this magnificent part of the world.
ROBIN HILL HOUSE + (Guest House) Robin Hill House €” Period Property €” Cobh Reception Rooms €” 5 Bedrooms €” 6 all en-suite Secondary Accommodations: Adjacent 2 bedroom apartment, and 1 bedroom wooden garden chalet. 2nd chalet pending planning permission soon!! Price €” € 1,500,000 Address €” Lake Road, Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co Cork. Postal Code €” P24RY88 Title: Freehold Extras: Commercial Licensed property, Listed building, Sea view Land: 0.6 acres Being sold as a going concern with training and handover included. This magnificent period property is perched on an elevated position within Rushbrooke and benefits from panoramic views over Cork Harbour. Rushbrooke is dominated by large detached period dwellings linked to the strong local maritime history. Behind this area of Rushbrooke lies the attractive rolling countryside. The property is situated approximately 1 mile from Cobh town center.
Main House Elegant accommodation in a very private setting! As you enter through the original, restored Victorian porch you at once sense the peaceful and extraordinary atmosphere of Robin Hill. A large entrance hallway, leads to spacious reception rooms with original plasterwork cornices. Robin Hill House encompasses the charm and character of the Victorian era with wonderful period features. Henry Hill, a renowned architect, originally designed the House, in 1866, for the esteemed Rushbrooke family. Lord Rushbrooke was an Admiral in the British Royal Navy at the time. It was the Rushbrooke€TM family home up until the 1950€TM. It was then sold to the Church of Ireland and became a Rectory until the early 1970s. Following this it came into private ownership and over the years it was operating as an up market guest house and a fine dining restaurant, until, the present owner bought it in 2005 and has operated a holistic healing center with an award winning Guest House to the present day. The house has been tastefully restored and sensitively maintained with many of the original features still intact. The property is in superb condition and enjoys a fine elevated position with a sunny southerly aspect. It overlooks the enchanted, mature garden with, glass house, kitchen garden, and complete privacy. There is a red cedarwood sauna and shower in the garden for guests to enjoy, There a large private parking area to the front of the house. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a large much sought after period residence with an award winning Guest House business being sold as a going concern with breath-taking sea views in one of the most beautiful settings in Ireland.
Apartment In what would have been the old kitchens of the main house in the Victorian era, is a delightful 2-bedroom apartment with its own private courtyard. It has recently been refurbished to a very high spec with a contemporary twist. A lot of fixtures and fittings are included in the sale. The Apartment has its own front and rear entrances and can also be accessed through the main house. The Wine cellar is accessed from the apartment, and there is plenty of scope for change, possibly incorporating the cellar into the apartment/gym/hydro room.
Ground Floor €¢ Entrance Porch: with feature timber windows and doors, original tiled floor and church style windows. €¢ Entrance hallway: 5.6m x 2m with carpet floor covering, ladies & gents toilets and cloakroom/store room. €¢ Office: 3.8m x 3.2m with carpet floor covering, fitted shelving (could be opened to create a larger hall / library or media room) €¢ Main Lounge: 5m x 4.2m with solid oak wooden floor covering, feature bay window overlooking gardens and Cork Harbor, Doorway through to main reception room I. €¢ Main Reception room I : 9.6m x 4.5m currently used as patient waiting area, with carpet floor covering, part exposed stonewalls, feature glazed window to Reception room II. €¢ Reception room II: 3.6m x 3.4m with part exposed stonewall with carpet and hardwood floor covering, double French doors to a south facing large patio area, panoramic views over gardens and Cork Harbor, currently being used as a dining & function room €¢ Kitchen: 4.5m x 3.4m with back door leading to private side yard with suntrap deck, also includes two large storage rooms -Storage room 1: 2.4m x1.4m with window, Storage room 2: 2.4m x 2.8m- ) €¢ Private 2 bedroom apartment: containing a sitting room, kitchen with French door leading to private courtyard, two bedrooms, bathroom with tiled floor and walls, corner bath, wc, whb and separate access. 97sq.m. €¢ Basement: 5.3m x 5.3m has been used as a wine cellar divided into three areas.
First Floor €¢ Bedroom I: 5.2é-4.2m with carpet floor covering, overlooking cork harbor, en-suite with tiled floor and walls, wc, whb and shower. €¢ Bedroom II: 5m x4.4m with carpet floor covering, overlooking harbor, en-suite with tiled floor, wc, whb, and shower. €¢ Bedroom III: 5.4m x3.8m with carpet floor covering, en-suite with tiled floor, wc, whb, bath and shower. €¢ Bedroom IV: 5.4m x3.4m with carpet floor covering, overlooking, en-suite with tiled floor, wc, whb, and shower. €¢ Bedroom V: 5.8m x3.8m with carpet floor covering, overlooking, en-suite with tiled floor and walls, wc, whb, bath and shower. €¢ Bedroom VI: 5.5m x 5.8m with carpet floor covering, en-suite with tiled walls and floor, wc, whb, bath and shower
Robin Hill Cabin Set amongst the trees is this charming self-contained one bed roomed wooden chalet. The cabin is pet friendly which is very popular opion much sought after by animal lovers.The bijoux chalet has its own galley kitchen, bathroom/shower , seating area, deck and dining area. The owner is presently going to build another cabin in the garden when planning permission is achieved.
Gardens The garden is truly an enchanted haven. Beautiful mature trees line the driveway creating a magnificent canopy into this secluded sanctuary. Steps lead from the large, sun soaked patio into the thriving garden. A wide variety of mature trees and shrubs have been well planted over the years offering privacy to the house, a haven for wildlife, and something to gaze at no matter the season. The garden rests on a sunny southerly aspect trapping the day€TM warmth. There is a sauna and shower here also for guests to enjoy. The garden contains bespoke private seating areas (fairy & angel gardens) for guests to enjoy a drink and relax in. A stone path leads to the glasshouse, garden shed, and kitchen garden where everything seems to flourish. To the side of the house there is a delightful private graveled garden with a concrete deck catching the afternoon sunlight used for staff and owner. There is a spacious garage / utility / store room in this area also.
ABOUT THE AREA
Cobh is a picturesque and historic maritime town on the Great Island, the largest of three islands inside Cork Harbour. The island is now connected by roads and bridges and is also served by a rail & bus link to Cork city. A car ferry crosses the River Lee from Carrigaloe in Cobh to Glenbrook. Cobh is a place of great natural beauty and rich culture. It is noted for its amenities including fishing, bird watching and water sports. The well known Fota Wild Life Park and Arboretum is 15 minutes drive away. Cobh is most famously known as being the last Port of call for the ill fated Titanic. Formally named Queenstown it was also the place where a lot of the Irish emigrants set sail for the USA and Australia during the Irish famine in the mid 1800€TM. There are now over 100 cruise liners visiting Cobh each year which greatly enhances the tourist trade. The town provides local shops, fine restaurants and amenities whilst Cork City, Douglas, and Midleton provide comprehensive financial and leisure facilities together with the widest range of shops and services. There are excellent communications with Cork International Airport, only 30 minute€TM distance with extensive scheduled flights to Britain and Europe. Cork Ferry Port also provides sailings to the UK and Continental Europe.
MAIN FEATURES:
€¢ 498m2 of living space €¢ 2429m2 plot size €¢ 9 Bedrooms between all dwellings €¢ 8 Bathrooms between all dwellings €¢ Private Garden €¢ Private Parking €¢ Stunning Views €¢ Thriving Business with licence to sell wine €¢ Close to essential amenities like such as supermarkets and pharmacies €¢ Close to many excellent bars and restaurants €¢ Great base from which to discover other fantastic areas of Ireland €¢ Many excellent sports facilities, walking and cycling areas nearby
Irish Historic Houses 