Ballyportry Castle S/C
Star Rating:: Self-Catering
Location: Ballyportry, Co. Clare, Ireland
Size: The Gaelic Tower House of Ballyportry Castle contains six bedrooms and two bathrooms with showers as well as a guest bathroom at the ground floor entrance. Ballyportry Castle sleeps between four and eight guests comfortably.
Nearby: Escape with family or friends to a 15th century Gaelic Tower House beside the Burren and only 40 minutes from Shannon Airport and the Atlantic Ocean. The 6 floored Tower House is furnished in an authentic way using fabrics in keeping with the late 15th Century. The sheets and pillowcases are of linen, and wool blankets from Co. Tipperary complete the dressing of the beds. All the furnishings reflect the time of late medieval Ireland, a time of hospitality, song, and poetry in Gaelic Tower Houses. To this end the best of craftsmanship is used through out in the ongoing process of furnishing the five hundred year old Gaelic Tower House.
From the entrance a stone spiral steps leads up to the other rooms. At the top of the Tower House is the impressive Great Hall with exposed oak roof trusses, an open fireplace, couches and a table for dining. There is a second kitchen with dishwasher, fridge and electric cooker that serves the Great Hall.
Please note that the wonderful curving late medieval stone staircase may not suit small children or those with walking disabilities. Along with the guest WC on ground floor level there are two bath rooms. While the water supply will cope with several showers at a time, guests may need to stagger the times of ablutions!
Tenon Recommends: Ballyportry Castle is an amazing alternative for a small group or family. As it’s a self-catering property, the castle as a whole needs to be rented.
This late 15th century medieval tower house was constructed by the O’Brien Clan and was occupied by Mahone who was the son of Brian O’Brien. The name is said to have come from Balie Portaigh, the fortified home of the banks.
The Ballyportry Castle consists of a large 4-story tower enclosed by a wall. A stone spiral staircase takes visitors up into small rooms one of which would have been used as a chapel when the castle was first constructed.
In 1961 an architect from New York purchase the castle which was lay unoccupied with no roof. Bob Brown, the American architect, researched into the history of the Irish castle and restored the fortified dwelling into its former glory. Bob took up residence in the Ballyportry Castle once completed and when passed away in 1983 his final resting place was the old grave yard beside the castle.
Today Ballyportry Castle still stands and is under proud ownership of Siobhan & Pat Wallace who places their heart & souls into keeping the castle as much as it was when it was first constructed.
Visitors to the castle can now book rooms and experience what it must have been like for those who previously lived in this glorious residence. You can also book Ballyportry Castle for wedding functions but is limited to 12 guest, making it a more warm affair.