This 200-year old lighthouse cottage in Youghal is now a luxury Airbnb

Remember that iconic lighthouse on the cliffs in Youghal? Well, now you can stay there, because the 200-year old lighthouse cottage at the base has recently been turned into a luxury Airbnb getaway.

You may have spotted it already on RTE’s ‘Home of the Year’ (it didn’t win, sadly) but here’s a little background on the building: there’s a 200 year old cottage located at the base of the lighthouse, and Youghal local Saoirse Fitzgerald spotted it for sale back in 2017 while living abroad in London. She purchased the cottage and spent five months restoring and extending it, and now it’s one of the most beautiful sea-side Airbnbs we’ve ever seen…just take a look!

Lighthouse cottage, image via RTE.ie
Lighthouse cottage, image via RTE.ie
Image via RTE.ie

Speaking about the revamp, Saoirse mentions:

“We kept the front door that all lighthouse keepers walked in and out of over the years. All the old floorboards, we brought them back to life.

“We kept all the old fireplaces, there are seven, and all the windows are the original sash windows.

‘We opened up some of the walls so that you could really just take in the sea and the view. My dad was a great help.”

Lighthouse Cottage, image via RTE.ie
Lighthouse cottage, image via RTE.ie
Image via RTE.ie

The home features an open plan living downstairs, a sea facing bathroom & bathtub, underfloor heating, new electrics & plumbing, insulation throughout, a 20 foot conservatory complete with a hanging chair, and brand new windows.

This house was the home of every lightkeeper that manned Youghal lighthouse since the 1800’s. The Lighthouse (which is still fully functional) became automated in 2007, and flashes each night at an interval of 2.5 seconds.

The house sleeps up to six people, and can be booked via AirBNB here (be warned, since appearing on RTE, it’s often booked out months in advance and also has a two-night minimum stay).

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