Disney Castle Quietly Listed for Sale to the Public—First Time in 35 Years

Is a Disney castle really on the market for anyone to purchase? Yes, it’s true.

A Fairytale Home with a Disney Castle Legacy

Picture this: you’re standing inside a centuries-old castle, twisting open a bookshelf to reveal a secret spiral staircase that climbs into a watchtower overlooking the Irish sea. It sounds like something out of a Disney movie—but it’s no fantasy. This is real, and for the right price, it could be yours.

But what makes this castle so special isn’t just the hidden rooms or the ocean views. It’s the legacy etched into its stone walls, one that connects directly to the most iconic name in entertainment history. Could this be the most magical real estate listing of 2025?

Hidden away along Ireland’s breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way, Coolmain Castle is turning heads far beyond the Irish countryside. While it’s not one of the six fairytale castles featured in Disney theme parks across the world, it is a legitimate Disney family estate—purchased in 1989 by none other than Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney himself.

A Castle with Character—and Characters

Located on 56 acres of prime coastal land in West Cork, the property has been described by locals as “the Disney family’s Shangri-La.” For more than three decades, it served as a private retreat, a peaceful hideaway far removed from the buzz of Hollywood and corporate boardrooms. And now, it’s on the market—with a price tag to match its legendary name.

Coolmain Castle isn’t just another luxury estate. Originally built in the late 1700s and later modified in the 1800s to include a whimsical turreted tower, it embodies the kind of charm that could have inspired an entire animated film.

When Roy Disney purchased the castle from Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, he poured significant resources into restoring and enhancing it—adding his own bit of magic, like the cleverly disguised staircase behind a bookcase and panoramic tower views fit for royalty. The renovations in the 1990s brought modern elegance while preserving the castle’s timeless character.

From the stone façade to the sprawling gardens, everything about Coolmain seems carefully curated to feel just enchanted enough.

The Ultimate Getaway—or Investment Opportunity?

For those dreaming of a quiet life surrounded by lily ponds, a tennis pavilion, walled gardens, and cove access to the sea, Coolmain Castle offers that and more. With up to nine bedrooms, a guest/staff house, and stables, it’s an estate large enough for entertaining but still described as “manageable” by realtors.

The asking price? A not-so-Mickey Mouse figure of over €7.5 million (approximately $8.1 million USD). But given the castle’s unique provenance and luxurious upgrades, some experts believe it could spark international bidding wars—and perhaps even set a record for Cork real estate.

After all, West Cork has seen a recent surge in high-end property sales, and buyers are increasingly looking to Ireland for stable, long-term investment opportunities. The region’s blend of natural beauty, privacy, and luxury appeal makes it ideal for those seeking refuge from the chaos of major cities.

Could Coolmain Castle become the next big trophy property in Europe?

Why It Matters: More Than Just a Disney Castle

While the sale of Coolmain Castle might first appear as just another luxury listing, it represents something deeper: the collision of cultural legacy, international wealth migration, and the timeless allure of a true escape. In a world where tech billionaires buy Hawaiian islands and celebrities retreat to remote chalets, owning a piece of Disney family history feels like the next logical move for ultra-high-net-worth individuals—especially those seeking symbolic value as much as material luxury.

So, what happens next for Coolmain Castle? With Sotheby’s International Realty and Hodnett Forde managing the sale, interest is already mounting. Whether the buyer is a nostalgic Disney fan, a savvy investor, or an Irish local eager to preserve national heritage, one thing’s certain: This storybook estate is about to begin a brand-new chapter.

And for the rest of us? We can still dream—just like Walt would’ve wanted.