Ever wondered what it would be like to own your very own Garda station? Or to turn one into a standout Airbnb where guests can sleep in former cells and check in at the old front desk? Buyers in North Cork are being offered that chance, with two former Garda stations set to go under the hammer later this month.
ERA Downey McCarthy has brought the former Garda stations and residences in Knocknagree and Rathduff to the market, with both properties being offered for sale by online auction on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The larger of the two, the former Knocknagree Garda Station, sits proudly in the heart of the village in North-West Cork, close to the Blackwater River. Set on a generous 0.49-acre site, the substantial two-storey building offers over 2,600 sq.ft of space, including multiple living areas, kitchens and utility rooms, along with five bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
With its size and layout, the Knocknagree property lends itself easily to re-imagining, whether as a large family home, a boutique guesthouse or a truly unique Airbnb experience. Located around 26km from Killarney and 77km from Cork city, it also qualifies for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, subject to approval, and is exempt from stamp duty.
🔗 View the Knocknagree listing:
https://www.eracork.ie/property/former-garda-station-residence-knocknagree-cork/
Meanwhile, a second former Garda station is also coming under the hammer in Rathduff, just off the N20 Cork–Limerick Road and only 15km south of Mallow. This detached bungalow sits in the centre of the village on a 0.3-acre site, offering a more compact but equally character-filled option.
Inside, the Rathduff property includes an office and store, two kitchens, four bedrooms, a living room, a shower room and a main bathroom, with a total floor area of approximately 1,660 sq.ft. Like its Knocknagree counterpart, it offers strong potential as a family home or an imaginative tourism project, subject to planning permission.
The Rathduff property will go to auction at 12.00pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026, and is also eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, subject to approval. It carries a BER rating of F.
🔗 View the Rathduff listing:
https://www.daft.ie/for-sale/house-former-garda-station-and-residence-rathduff-co-cork/6483035
Whether it’s a family home with a story, a renovation project with character, or an Airbnb idea that would stop scrolls in their tracks, these former Garda stations offer buyers the chance to think outside the box, and maybe even bring a little cops-and-robbers fun back to village life.