Relax with the whole family at this unique and peaceful place to stay along the wild Atlantic Way in the beautiful setting of Toormore half way between the villages of Schull and Goleen in West Cork with a secluded safe swimming beach 200 metres from the property. Explore the magnificent Mizen peninsula, its stunning beaches and walking trails whilst enjoying amazing local artisan food, restaurants and markets. You can also enjoy access to water based sporting activities in a superb environment.
This is a truly unique property in the area of Toormore, approx 7 minutes drive West from Schull.
The property is set off the road shortly after the well known Altar Wedge Tomb.
The current owners have reinstated the the Old School House in great taste and consideration for the time in which it functioned as a school.
Many furniture items within the house are antiques and have been sourced from other school houses and historical buildings (more information on this below).
The kitchen / dining / living space is open planned and allows light to filter in through the elegant shuttered windows and light the entire space.
An original butchers block forms the central focal point of the kitchen. It also has a large fridge, electric cooker, microwave and dishwasher as well as all the expected cooking implements and crockery.
There is a lounge area off the kitchen with a couch, multifuel stove and piano.
The living room offers comfort with a large couch, TV with free-sat channels and views of the sea.
There is a utility room with large sink and washing machine. This house does not have a dryer but it does have a clothes horse and heated drying rack.
The downstairs bathroom has WC, WHC and pressurised shower.
Upstairs are three large bedrooms:
Master Bedroom has a king-size bed, with sea views.
Bedroom 2 has a double bed.
Bedroom 3 has twin beds.
The main bathroom has a large bath and large shower as well as WC and WHB.
The house is heated by way of oil fired central heating.
Large front Patio area with sea view which gets sun all day long and is ideal for Al Fresco Dining.
Altar National School 1833
The school was built in 1833 under the supervision of Rev.William Allen Fisher to serve the Church Of Ireland community in Toormore. At its peak it had 58 students attending the school. The fireplace in the middle of the building defined the separation between boys and girls classes. The last class graduated in 1942 due to dwindling numbers of children in the area and the amalgamation of schools in the Kilmoe Union of Parishes.
From 1942 the building was used as a Sunday School and a social space for the Church and community until the 1990’s with activities such as regular social dances, youth based activities and Church fundraising events. It was also a hub for community gatherings.
With time the building fell into disrepair and a small group of volunteers maintained it as best they could but lacking the necessary ongoing funding for the upkeep it was decided to sell it in 2015.
We were lucky enough to purchase the property in 2016 with a view to the sympathetic restoration and conversion to a habitable home.
We began the restoration using both salvaged and recycled items in an effort to maintain the visual aesthetic of the building both inside and out.
Some examples of this are evident in that the wooden flooring came from an Orange Hall in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, the American redwood boards in the main bedroom came from Castle Hyde in Fermoy, whilst the Terracotta tiles in the kitchen and utility came from an old mill in Sligo and Limerick.
The Stained Glass came from a Refectory in Ballyhooly North Cork and a period house in Glasnevin Dublin.
The Butchers Block came from McCarthy’s Butchers in Bantry with salvage materials used throughout the kitchen. The Pitch Pine cupboards came out of a Convent in Carrigtwohill, East Cork and all internal doors came out of a B&B in Mitchelstown.
The windows were unused from an abandoned project in Louisburg in Mayo and the front door came from an old school in Kilbrittain, Co Cork.
All brass lighting originally came from the Queens Old Castle in Cork City.
The restoration has taken us 6 and a half years and we hope you can appreciate and enjoy a slice of the history this building represents.
BER: C1 BER No.116166091 Energy Performance Indicator:153.09 kWh/m²/yr
From Schull head West for Goleen for approximately 7km. You will pass the Altar Wedge Tomb on the LHS, with parking area.
After 450m the property will be on the RHS, with the entrance situated after a small layby.
January - March Weekly rental of €775
30th March - 6th April Weekly rental of €890
6th April - 18th May Weekly rental of €845
18th May - 1st June Weekly rental of €1005
1st – 8th June Weekly rental of €1190
8th – 22nd June Weekly rental of €995
22nd June 13th July Weekly rental of €1445
13th – 27th July Weekly rental of €1550
27th July – 10th August Weekly rental of €1775
10th – 17 August Weekly rental of €1605
17th – 24th August Weekly rental of €1385
24th – 31st August Weekly rental of €920
September & October Weekly rental of €835
26th October – 2nd November Weekly rental of €890
November & December Weekly rental of €835
Christmas / New Year’s Weekly rental of €885 (Increased utilities charge for this period)
Utilities charge on each week of €105.
Every booking requires a security deposit of €200, refundable under terms and conditions
