Ballinalacken Castle
Star Rating:: 
Location: Doolin, Co. Clare, Ireland
Size: 12 Rooms
Nearby: If you are looking for a country house weekend or relaxed hotel accommodation, then a few nights stay at our hotel in Doolin, Co Clare, is just right for you. We offer luxury accommodation and style at Ballinalacken Castle Hotel, full bed and breakfast and dining in our award winning restaurant.
Situated 5 miles from the spa town of Lisdoonvarna and within easy reach of the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Connemara & Galway, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful place on the West Coast of Ireland in which to wake up. The Ballinalacken has been described in the press a s one of the finest located houses in Europe. Our guest rooms offer spectacular panoramic views of the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay.
Tenon Recommends: Take a pit stop in the lovely little town of Doolin to visit this historic Irish castle. We can also book this remarkable castle for your honeymoon in Ireland!
The 15th Century Castle is a ruin of the O’Brien Clan. It stands imposingly beside the Ballinalacken House which was built by Lord O’Brien in 1840 as his family home. In 1939 Daniel O’Callaghan purchased the home from the O’Briens. Today it remains in the O’Callaghan family and is currently owned by Denis O’Callaghan (Daniel’s son).
It is located on a limestone outcrop overlooking the road from Lisdoonvarna to Fanore in County Clare, Ireland in the grounds of Ballinalacken Castle Hotel which was built in 1840 as the home of Lord O’Brien.[1] The name is taken from the townland where it is located, the original Irish version of which is Baile na Leacan, which means the town (land) of the flagstones.
The basements of Ballinalacken Castle are thought to have been set as far as the 10th century, by another famous Irish clan, the O’Connor’s, who ruled West Corcomroe in those times. The fortress was finally founded in the 14th century and Lochlan MacCon O’Connor was in charge of its first rebuilding. In 1564, the control over West Corcomroe passed to the O`Briens and years later the castle was granted to Turlough O’Brien, a member of the family living in Ennistymon.
The Ballinalacken O’Briens can trace their descent from Turlough Don who died in 1528, and also from the Ennistymon O’Briens, which was founded by Sir Donald O’Brien of Dough castle who died in 1579. The O’Briens were one of the most powerful families in Ireland at the time and built many castles of which Ballinalacken is one of the most impressive.