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Tours of Drishane House

16 - 24 August, 11am - 3pm

  • Drishane House
  • Castletownshend, Skibbereen
  • P81 Y008
  • Co. Cork County

Drishane House in West Cork has been the home of the Somerville family for nine generations. It was built by Thomas Somerville in around 1780 at the top of a hill with spectacular views of Castlehaven Bay to allow the latter monitor the progress of his fleet of merchant vessels as they made their way to and from America. Drishane is in the classic Georgian style, its elevations hung with purple Benduff slate and surrounded by stunning gardens with mature trees, including several rare specimens.
The house is also the former home of Edith Somerville who, as one half of the Somerville and Ross writing partnership with her cousin Violet Martin of Ross, wrote 'The Experiences of an Irish R.M'. A museum at the house is dedicated to her memory.

Drishane House is a proud member of Historic Houses of Ireland. It was awarded the HHI-O'Flynn Heritage Prize in 2024.

Tours hourly.

Entrance fees:
House, Garden & Museum €12.00 pp

Garden & Museum €8 pp

OAP’s: €10 pp;

Students: €8 pp for House, Garden and Museum

Children Under 7 free


Further Information

Drishane House


Find out more about the event organiser



Heritage Council Grant

This event is part of a project supported under the Heritage Council's grants programme in 2025

Funded by The Heritage Council


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