[9][10] To the south and west of Rathbarry village are a beach, Long Strand, and a Coillte managed woodland, Castlefreke Woods.

[8] The large castle and estate which dominates the area was originally the site of a 15th-century tower house that was owned by the Barry family.

[12] The Freke family, who arrived in Ireland in the seventeenth century,[5] acquired a number of estates in West Cork, including the former Barry castle.

[13][14] Following an intermarriage with members of the Evans family, the combined Evans-Freke dynasty became Barons of Carbery in the early 18th century.

The original 15th-century tower house was damaged by fire and other events, and John Evans-Freke, 6th Baron Carbery built a new castle on the estate in 1780.