Seminars and company events
Corporate days out, team-building programs, private parties and weddings with sole use of the estate can be organized at Blackwater Castle, a castle on a rocky promontory above the River Awbeg in Castletownroche, County Cork. Dining spaces seat 40 to 150 guests, and the castle, the courtyard apartments and the dormitories together sleep 70 people.
For companies, the castle runs training and activity programs aimed at team spirit and communication, adapted to the needs of each group. The estate and its surroundings offer falconry and hawk walks, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, golf and karting at a nearby adventure park. A group that hires the castle has all the suites, the reception rooms, the professional kitchen and a fully equipped bar to itself, which suits a two-day retreat where the team eats and sleeps together.
Weddings and receptions
The castle is hired in its entirety for the length of a celebration. Ceremonies can be held in the grounds or in several rooms, such as the Tea Room. Civil registrars, humanist celebrants and interfaith ministers can all officiate at the venue. For a church wedding, the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Ireland St. Mary's are a ten-minute walk away in the village. Six reception rooms are available for drinks on arrival, and pre-wedding suppers and next-day barbecues can be added.
Rooms and capacities
The Dining Room seats 40 to 60 guests and the Terrace Room 40 to 60. The Old Coach House, a converted 17th-century building, seats about 100 on the ground floor and another 40 to 50 on the mezzanine, up to 150 in all. Six reception rooms serve for drinks receptions.
Accommodation
The castle has nine en suite rooms that sleep 23. Garden apartments and dormitories in the courtyard sleep a further 47, for 70 guests on the grounds. More guests can stay in bed and breakfasts in the village, five minutes away on foot.
Catering
You can bring your own caterer or pick one from the castle's recommended suppliers, and the castle takes no percentage of catering costs. Caterers work in the castle kitchen and the Coach House kitchen. Menus range from fine dining to casual barbecues. The castle is not licensed, but it has a fully equipped bar that the group stocks, with no corkage charge. Housekeeping, bar staff and babysitting can be arranged.
History and setting
The site has been occupied for thousands of years, with traces of a Mesolithic settlement and structures over 2,500 years old. The castle dates from the 12th century and keeps the remains of a 12th-century tower; the Norman Tower, from the 15th century, has a stone spiral staircase of 76 steps. Oliver Cromwell's army laid siege to it, and the castle holds a rare Sheela na Gig carving. The grounds lie in a protected nature reserve.
Getting there
Castletownroche is in north County Cork, with Mallow and Fermoy within 9 miles. Mallow has a station on the Dublin to Cork line, and Cork Airport is the nearest airport.
