Ballyportry Castle, Co. Clare
Corofin, The Burren, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland
Ballyportry is a really magical place. The dramatic stone walls of this 15th Century Gaelic Tower House rise 90 feet sharply out of the turf - a truly awe-inspiring welcome! The castle is set on 5 acres of fields with grazing cows and horses and was built by the O'Brien family of Lemenagh Castle, and then restored to glory by New York architect Robert Owen Brown in the 1970s and 80s and work continued with the present owners who bought the property in the 1990s. And what a splendid job they've done! The inside of the castle has been beautifully and sensitively restored, ensuring the building retained all its original features, style and character.
As soon as you step through into the kitchen, you're greeted by a huge fireplace, a stone coffee table and the distinctive Irish aroma of a turf burning stove. The kitchen and sitting room are open plan so it's great for keeping an eye on everyone whilst preparing meals. The kitchen has all modern amenities - fridge freezer, dishwasher and a large six burner gas range - but loses none of the rustic charm. Despite its ancient heritage, underfloor heating and the thick limestone walls ensure it always feels cosy, even on chilly days.
The Tower House has 6 floors and the décor is sensitively in-keeping with the late 15th Century, using the best local craftsmanship. Stone spiral steps lead you up to all 6 floors, and surprisingly at the top of the house is the impressive Great Hall with exposed oak roof trusses, an open fireplace, couches and a table for dining, which also has a convenient second kitchen.
Ballyportry sleeps between four and eight guests comfortably, and there are six bedrooms, two bathrooms and a WC. In the bedrooms the sheets and pillowcases are of Irish linen, and wool blankets are from Co Tipperary. The four poster beds, sheepskin rugs and wood burning stoves are bound to ensure a comfortable, cosy night's sleep for all occupants!
Ballyportry is only an hour's drive from Shannon Airport and is located midway between Kerry and Connemara so provides a fantastic base for exploring County Clare. Ballyportry is beside the National Park of the Burren which is famous for the limestone rock landscape interspersed with rich grazing land, so there is loads of open space for the little ones to run around and explore the beautiful countryside or discover the archaeological wonders of the Burren. A ten minute drive away is the hill of Mullaghmore, a beautiful landmark which is a magical place to picnic by the lake, or just to climb up and enjoy the view. The Atlantic Ocean is 45 minutes away in several directions, and the coast of County Clare looks out on the Aran Islands which can be visited on day trips. If you're looking for a enchanting rural retreat, then look no further than Ballyportry Castle.