You may have peered at the tower from the road.

But unless you’ve been invited in to properly explore Dripsey Castle Estate, you’re unlikely to have noticed the handsome Georgian mansion nestled underneath.

That’s all about to change this spring.

The 110-acre estate was bought in 2022 by serial entrepreneur and fintech investor Darren Dineen (32) and his wife, teacher Orla Rutherford (30), who have been busy completing a sensitive and tasteful restoration project to get the place ready for its big public reveal in May.

The Cork natives, who had travelled extensively, working across the globe, had been looking for a historic home to invest in for quite some time when Dripsey Castle Estate came on the market. Now, less than two years after they fended off ferocious US interest in the property, the castle has been partially renovated and is almost ready to be used for events such as weddings, parties, retreats, and concerts.

“The mansion is in two parts; the main 18th century house with eight bedrooms all en-suite, a reception room, games room, library, professional kitchen, and the early 20th century ballroom,” explains Orla.

Features include a beautiful stained glass window commissioned by the owners from renowned glass artist Eoin Turner.

“We are open for boutique weddings, corporate parties and retreats, private events, wellness days and yoga retreats. We will be open as luxury accommodation on a whole house basis from May 2024. We can sleep 16 adults and provide a perfect base for a family and friends adventure.”

The place is steeped in history. Dripsey Castle was built by Cormac Láidir MacCárthaigh, one of the last high Chieftains of Ireland in 1450. At the time it would have been known as Carrignamuck Castle.

“It would have been a tower house of protection for nearby castles in the area such as Blarney Castle and Carrigodrohid Castles,” says Orla.

“It stayed in the MacCárthaigh clan until the formidable Bowen-Colthurst families of Blarney Castle and Annesgrove Estate seized the lands and built the Georgian Mansion in 1740. The facade of the house is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture with its symmetrical windows and commanding entryway.”

The house remained in the Bowen-Colthurst family until it was bought by the O’Shaughnessy family, who founded and ran the Dripsey Woolen Mills for a hundred years.

“Arthur O’Shaughnessy was an ingenious inventor of his day and his innovative hydroelectric turbines that powered the local mill also powered the house until very recently. The turbine is now being replaced with a state-of-the-art model that is going to increase the output generation of the original turbine by 15 times.

“The entire estate runs off this clean, abundant renewable energy source.”

Keys secured, the couple carried out a top-to-toe re-imagination of the interiors, completed in seven months, just in time to host their 2023 wedding.

“The biggest challenge in renovating a property like this is remaining faithful to the original design and features of the house while making it the necessary modernisations.” explains Orla.

“For example, we found two fireplaces that had been tiled over dating from 1740 and 1910. We chose to have them fully restored to their original glory, a laborious and slow process, expertly carried out by Limerick-based stone mason Stone Mad.

“We also had all the wooden floors, dating between the late 1800s and early 1900s refurbished, restoring grandeur to the bedrooms that had previously been carpeted.

“We visited many stately homes and historic houses around Ireland to get a feel for our project but we were hugely guided by my father, Colman Rutherford, a historian, expert and great admirer of the Georgian houses of Ireland. Our architect, Mark Dignam of Meitheal Architects, also helped us to be historically sympathetic at all times.”

Growing and stretching 

With the house renovation complete, the couple has now turned their attention to the grounds of which 45 acres is certified organic land. Orla, having taken a break from the classroom, has turned her attention to organic orchards, farming, and a vegetable growing operation.

Darren has been focused on the upgrade of the hydroelectricity station and growing his finance business at home and in the UK.

“There were many eventful discoveries and days in the renovation process but the most standout moment has to be when we called to Darren’s grandmother, Joan Dineen, to tell her that we had bought Dripsey Castle Estate,” Orla told Yay Cork.

“She was delighted and surprised and revealed, without missing a beat, that she had worked there as a nanny for two years during her youth.

‘The Dineens had come full circle!”

To launch its first year of events, Dripsey Castle is hosting a carefully curated Yoga and Wellness Retreat on March 23rd.

“We are delighted to be working with Hazel O’Sullivan of the recently opened Cork Lotus Studio in the heart of Cork City,” says Orla.

“This one-day event will include a blend of uplifting Vinyasa and restorative Yin Yoga, combined with relaxing walks in the grounds and taking tea in front of a blazing fire in the library, there is something for everyone.”

Lunch will be a vegetarian feast prepared on-site by the renowned local chef Gautham Iyers of the much-missed Iyers Café.

You can book a spot now and be among the first to venture inside the gates here.

Images: Egle Laukyte at Artisan Chronicles