Seaside stay .You'll be steps from Ballintoy Harbour and within a 15-minute walk of Ballintoy Church. Whitepark Bay and Sheep Island are also within 2 miles (3 km).
One of the most photographed and painted scenes in Ireland, Ballintoy Harbour. O' Rourkes Cottage is nestled at the foot of impressive limestone cliffs with a large private gardens looking southwest towards uninterrupted sea views, The Giants Causeway and Donegal. A perfect sun trap to enjoy the most breath taking views possible. Garden sun room with gas stove on elevated position in the back garden giving year round views of the Atlantic Ocean and stunning seascapes. The cottage is merely 40 feet from the beach with direct access from the cottage.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: No smoking inside. Smoking permitted in garden.
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping (on request)
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
Near a hospital
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Boat
Kayak
Optional golf privileges
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Spelunking nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Whale watching nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Housekeeping (on request)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets are welcome
Maximum 1 (weight limit: 20 lbs per pet)
Service animals are exempt from fees
Note from host: PETS WELCOME
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 170 out of 195 reviews
10 - Excellent
170
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 195 reviews
8 - Good
18
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 195 reviews
6 - Okay
4
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 195 reviews
4 - Poor
1
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 195 reviews
2 - Terrible
2
9.0/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Brian M.
Apr 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Retirement bliss
Fantastic location right on the coast; beautiful scenery added to the experience.
Brian M.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Dennis Russell
Mar 18, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Our Retreat
We simply love the cottage. We have had many great stays here and it’s hard to believe that we will not be back as it’s being sold.
Dennis Russell
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
8/10 Good
lancraeche6
Jan 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
lancraeche6
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Marc F.
Jan 20, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Great place with great viewe
Marc F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Aric P.
Jan 15, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Worth more than 5 stars!
Beautiful cottage in an amazing location. From the moment we started down Harbour road towards this beautiful cottage we knew we were in for a wonderful time. The hosts were great at communication and provided all the amenities we needed. We are already talking about a return trip in the future and we will not hesitate to stay here again!
Aric P.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Vivienne K.
Nov 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and Peaceful
We had a wonderful stay - and the view from the sun room was stunning - at any time of day. The cottage was the perfect size for the 2 of us and all the facilities we required. Would stay again
Vivienne K.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Linda B.
Oct 28, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous location
An outstanding location for a property full of character
Linda B.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Margaret J.
Oct 20, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Mrs
Amazing location with lots to do in the area
Margaret J.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tory H.
Sep 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location. Compact cottage.
Was perfect size for 2-4 people. Would have been a tight squeeze for any more. Great location though and friendly and help ful host
Tory H.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jill B., Northern Ireland
Sep 4, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
And relax!
It’s everything it says it is and more! We’ll be back again!❤️❤️
Jill B.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Linda M.
Sep 3, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Views to die for
Missed out on the use of a fantastic garden due to weather, but watching waves crashing over the rocks was mesmerising. If the weather had been better we would've been in our element. Cottage itself was clean, comfortable and cosy, maybe a wee bit tired looking but it certainly wouldn't put me off returning or recommending to family and friends.
Linda M.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Laura T.
Aug 30, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely break
We had a lovely time, the views were amazing.
Laura T.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tom G.
Aug 9, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Rest
Old fashioned as it should be
Tom G.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
Aug 5, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
My favourite place!
O’Rourke’s cottage quite simply is the most outstanding place to just chill out and enjoy the magnificent views especially from the summerhouse. I have to admit that is where I spend most of my time on every visit - I just absolutely love it and we’re looking forward to our next visit!
Lisa H.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Alison T.
Aug 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Another superb stay
This was our 3rd time in the cottage and it never disappoints. What makes it truly unique is the summer house because it really doesn't matter what the weather does, it is always warm and cozy in there and you still feel like you're 'in nature.' I really don't think you could find a more unique cottage in such a beautiful area anywhere else. We just love it. The owner is lovely too, as are the locals. It's a perfect location for exploring but as it was our third time we've pretty much seen everything which gave us the perfect excuse to just chill and enjoy the surroundings. Can't wait to return.
Alison T.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Heidi H., Panama City Beach, Florida
Jul 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
It cant get any better than this ❤️
Great location, nice walks in the area, and close to a lot of attractions. Liked the sun room above for sunsets. It could have been cleaned better. There were dirty dishes in the cabinet and sand in one of the beds. All in all I would recommend it to anyone
Heidi H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Deni R.
Jul 1, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely cottage
Turlough and Lisa were wonderful hosts of their cozy cottage in a lovely spot. The fire kept us warm on those chilly nights, and we were able to stay dry and catch up on reading in the lovely sun house. It is perfectly situated to enjoy beach walks, tour the many sights nearby, and get out on the water for boat tours. Thank you for sharing your family cottage with us! Hope to see you soon!
Deni R.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Peter I.
Jun 29, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic location
We loved our stay ar Ballintoy Harbour. The cottage is very cosy and well equipped - the outstanding feature is a fabulous sunroom in the garden with amazing views. We spent wonderful long evenings there or on the beaches right outside the front door. Absolutely perfect.
Peter I.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
Jun 22, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Family holiday
This cottage is fantastic. Its so close to the beach the views are amazing. Our two dogs loved it. We will definitely be back and cant wait we did not want the week to finish
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
Jun 4, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Cottage in Ideal Location
We enjoyed a wonderful 5 night stay at this special place. This place wouldn’t be for everyone - it is not designer luxury accommodations, nor does it purport to be, but we loved it. Excellent location that was handy to all of the attractions along the Antrim Coast. We had sunny days, suitable for splashing in the sea out the front door, and stormy days when we enjoyed staying in by the fire (supplies provided) looking out at the roiling waves crashing onto the rocks. Charmingly comfortable, with extensive fenced yard in back that would be great for dogs or kids (we had neither). Washer and dryer in back shed were rudimentary, but they worked. The kitchen is small, but functional- a new cooker was delivered during our stay. Do note that the kitchen was bare bones. Washing up liquid was supplied, but no paper towels, no salt and pepper, no condiments or basics, so if you are planning on cooking, plan accordingly and bring along or stock up locally. Private parking is provided next to the cottage, and the winding road down to the Harbour is fine as long as you take it slowly and are prepared to possibly meet a car coming in the opposite direction. This was a unique and special place to stay. We will remember it fondly and would love to return some day.
Verified traveller
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
8/10 Good
Maureen C.
May 19, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot
Beautiful surroundings on the seafront. Not a huge issue but on vrbo it seems like you are renting the whole cottage instead of one side. The neighbor initially didn’t act like he knew where our place was. It could use a new couch and the chairs in the glass house also sink in. We loved sitting in the glass house in the evenings! The grounds could use a little cleaning but overall a wonderful place❤️. I would advise people they must have a car and cannot rely on taxis due to the location ❤️
Maureen C.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Bev S.
May 18, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and cozy cottage in dream location
Cute and cozy little cottage in a dream location. The sea, beach, and harbour are right outside the front door as are wonderful walks to other beaches. There is also a great garden and sun lunge to relax in. Ballintoy harbour is so close to many of Northern Irelands fabulous attractions and the sea is so incredibly clean and clear. We absolutely loved our week here and will definately be returning. Will come armed with a supply of cat treats next time for the 3 cats that live on the harbour and visit the cottage to sleep in the shed, they are well fed and cared for by locals and visitors alike ❤️
Bev S.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
4/10 Poor
David E.
Apr 22, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Ballintoy
Sleeps six but sitting and dining area not suitable for six. Kitchen preparation space inadequate. Needs some modernization and a few simple additions, e.g. somewhere to hang outdoor coats, couldn’t find a teapot. Outside space and location saves the stay, weather permitting of course. Superser gas heater causes fumes in summer house. Old wood burner not in use. Owner resolved a TV problem promptly.
Blessed with great weather.
David E.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
gary d.
Apr 16, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful setting
The cottage is ideally situated close to all amenities and just within walking distance to the village of Ballintoy if you want to leave the car. The high spot is it is directly beside the sea.
gary d.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
6/10 Okay
Jane M.
Apr 9, 2024
Disliked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and wild location but cottage needs maintenance.
This cottage is in a stunning location but has seen better days and was in need of a thorough clean. We loved the location with all the views, beaches and the garden and sunroom but the accommodation was cramped for 4 adults and 2 children. The bedrooms were comfortable except that there wasn't enough storage and living out our suitcases for 5 days was not enjoyable. You could easily put wardrobes in all the bedrooms. You couldn't fit 6 of us around the living room table and the kitchen was not big enough to cook in for us all. I made a fry up and I struggled to cook with the table and chairs out and no useable oven. The oven was honestly disgusting. I opened the dirty door to find 2 glass dishes with bits of food in them. We opened a drawer of the air fryer and found it full of grease. Also the dust and cobwebs in the corridors and living room were bad. At least 2 of the chairs were rickety and unsafe for adults to sit on. It was such a shame but everything seemed tired and in need of an update. Our daughters loved the garden and walks right on our doorstep and it was great we had a washing machine and tumble dryer but the cottage was disappointing. We couldn't get regular tv channels to work and I ended up logging in to netflix to get something for the kids to watch. Overall we were glad we spent most of our time out and about exploring the county.