Potential to be a once in a lifetime experience. Full of character and has all the charm expected of an ancient monument. Original stone walls, floors and hearths for roaring fires. But the property comes with a warning around cleanliness, H&S basics and exorbitant fuel and energy costs charged on top of rental. Cleanliness is not just ancient cobwebs as would be expected but recent cobwebs, dust and mould. H&S basics (fire extinguishers and First Aid boxes) out of date. Energy costs are ridiculous - passing on costs to warm up the property for a week before you arrive as they don't maintain it in an habital condition, rates are above market rates and standard charges added if you don't reach the minimum use. Be warned!!!
I would say this is a high small hidden gem, especially for people who are interested in past history / old buildings / castles. We found it by accident when driving through small narrow roads toward connection into M18. It's located north from Ennis, at Corofin, via road R460. It comes from 15th century and have been restored basics, but fully private owned now. Inside they told to have small rooms which can be hires for celebration or similar happenings. So we didn't got inside as it was closed.
Staying in this castle is like a step back in time. While rustic and involving a lot of stone spiral stairs it was truly a unique experience. Did not have all the modern comforts but beds were nice, great fireplaces and beautiful stone and wood. Really was a lot of fun be kings and queens for a week. Definitely worthwhile as long as you can do without a few modern conveniences like wifi and central heating. You will love it!
If you want to experience authentic Irish castle lodging with a touch of modern amenities surrounded by a Medieval flavor this the place to be. I strongly recommend you have at least one meal prepared by chef Fiona. It’s reasonably priced and a great way to start your ‘Castle’ experience.
I cannot begin to explain in words how truly spectacular our stay at Ballyportry Castle was. From the moment we entered through the iron gates in the castle wall, we were surrounded by a past we could only imagine. The beautiful rock spiral staircase lead up from the kitchen and bathroom on the main floor to the bedrooms and great room and battlements. The beds were very comfortable and the castle was unexpectedly warm and cozy with the heat turned on. The shower and tub were great...hot water and all. The kitchen provided all we needed for preparing a breakfast of eggs, toast and coffee. Tanya came and made us the most amazing dinner and was so friendly and welcoming. The location of the castle was a great home base for exploring the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. I will definitely return with my two daughters the next time I visit Ireland. Thank you for sharing this amazing piece of history with us!…
We held our Celtic wedding ceremony here and it was just beautiful. What an extraordinary place! Tanya, our host, was amazing, kind and a great cook. All you can wish for! Downside; not so clean so wash up and do some housework if you are a perfectionist. Don't try to get rid of the cobwebs in the far ends; I think they are mandatory considering the environment you are in. And probably have been there for ages. So be reasonable while judging. 😉 If you love history, authenticity and romance. This is THE place to be.
Our group of four booked three nights at Ballyportry in mid-March. We had an amazing time and would highly recommend a visit. No matter how many times you've looked at the photos, first entering the castle and taking the initial tour with the wonderful host, Tanya, is truly overwhelming. It is a wonderfully authentic restoration and lets your imagination run wild. The views from the upper levels and roof are amazing, and friendly donkeys braying in the mornings add an endearing touch. Keep in mind, though, that staying at Ballyportry does require some work. The main living area is amazing and will likely be where you'll spend the most time, but it is the very top level, which means that all wood for the fire and anything you wish to eat/drink/read, etc must be carried up all of the winding stairs. It's quite a workout, but worth it! We made a difficult decision to spend a full 24 hrs in nearby Galway for St. Patrick's Day, but would've been more than content to spend all three nights under blankets with music on and the fire going in the great hall. A truly memorable experience, and we are very grateful for our stay.…
We were unable to stay at Ballyportry Castle as it was already booked, but the owner was so helpful, kind and prompt in her replies that I wanted to give the castle a positive review for customer service. I'm sure the owner gives the same amount of care to her castle as she does her customers, which would make it a truly wonderful place to stay!
We rented Ballyportry Castle for New Year's Eve 2014. It was such a magical time! It is self catering, although there is an option for someone to come and cook for you. Of course, it's very cold, but we had the fire lit and electric blankets are provided. There are two kitchens, with all mod cons, one on the ground level and one at the very top. The twisty stairs are quite daunting at first, but you get used to them fairly fast, even in heels! The view from the roof is amazing and watching the sun come up was spectacular. It certainly was a great experience!
My husband and I had a wonderful time at Ballyportry Castle. We were welcomed warmly by Tanya and given a tour of our home for the week. It is a rustic 15th century castle with modern amenities. We found the castle to be warm and inviting, with decorations and furnishings that appeared to be consistent with that time period. We took advantage of a home cooked meal by Tanya on the day of our arrival. The meal was delicious and exactly what we needed after a long day of travel. Prior to our trip, my husband and I looked at every possible picture of the castle that we could find and found all of them to accurately portray the castle. We enjoyed exploring the castle and sitting by the fire in the evening. The view from the rooftop was amazing. This was truly the trip of a lifetime for us and we are grateful for the experience.…
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