Accommodation and wedding venues in County Clare

On the map above:

blue: places to visit that are not section 482

purple: section 482 properties

red: accommodation

yellow: less expensive accommodation for two

orange: “whole house rental” i.e. those properties that are only for large group accommodations or weddings, e.g. 10 or more people.

green: gardens to visit

grey: ruins

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Places to Stay, County Clare 

1. Armada House, formerly Spanish Point House, Spanish Point, County Clare

2. Ballinalacken Castle, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare – hotel

3. The Carriage Houses, Beechpark House, Bunratty, County Clare

5.  Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clarehotel

6. Falls Hotel (was Ennistymon House), Ennistymon, Co. Clare

7. Gregan’s Castle Hotel, County Clare

8. Loop Head Lightkeeper’s Cottage, County Clare

9. Mount Callan House and Restaurant, Inagh, County Clare – B&B 

10. Mount Cashel Lodge, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, County Clare

11. Newpark House, Ennis, County Clare

12. Smithstown Castle (or Ballynagowan), County Clare

13. Strasburgh Manor coach houses, Inch, Ennis, County Clare

Whole House Rental, County Clare

1. Inchiquin House, Corofin, County Clare – whole house rental up to 10 guests

2. Mount Vernon lodge, County Clare – whole house accommodation up to 11 guests

Clare:

Places to Stay, County Clare 

1. Armada House, formerly Spanish Point House, Spanish Point, County Clare

https://www.armadahotel.com

The is a Victorian house, originally called Sea View House.

The website tells us:

In 1884 the local Roman Catholic Bishop, James Ryan, expressed a wish to start a primary and secondary school in Miltown Malbay, a short distance from Spanish Point House, but his vision was unrealised for many years to come.

In 1903 the bishop’s estate donated £900 to the Mercy Sisters to establish a school, but things did not happen until 1928, when three houses owned by the Morony estate were offered for sale to the Mercy Sisters with the intention of establishing a school at Spanish Point. The Moronys were a family of local landlords who had owned a significant number of properties in the Spanish Point and Miltown Malbay area between 1750 and 1929, including Sea View House, Miltown House, and The Atlantic Hotel.

The Moronys were responsible for much of the development of the locality of Spanish Point, which began in 1712 when Thomas Morony took a lease of land, later purchased by his eldest son, Edmund, divided it into two farms and leased it to two local landlords for thirty-one years. Francis Gould Morony willed Sea View House, which he built in 1830, to his wife’s niece, Marianne Harriet Stoney, who married Captain Robert Ellis. The house was inherited by the Ellis family and one of their sons – Thomas Gould Ellis – became the son and heir.

Almost a century later, in January 1928, a successor, Robert Gould Ellis, sold the property to the Mercy Sisters for £2,400 and in 1929 Colonel Burdett Morony sold Woodbine Cottage to the nuns for £300. Colonel Burdett Morony was a son of widow Ellen Burdett Morony of Miltown House, a woman who was quite unpopular amongst her tenants for rack-renting to such an extent that a boycott was operated against her. Woodbine Cottage, now part of the local secondary school building, was a summer residence of the Russell family and part of the Morony estate.

On 19 March 1929 – the feast of St Joseph – a deed of purchase was signed and Sea View House became St Joseph’s Convent. The coach house, stables and harness rooms were fitted out as classrooms and a secondary school was opened on 4 September 1929.

In 1931 the west wing was used as dormitories for boarders for the first time. In 1946 Wooodbine Cottage was converted into three classrooms and Miltown House (the Morony family seat, built in the early 1780s by Thomas J. Morony, who developed the town of Miltown Malbay) was also bought by the nuns and became the convent of the Immaculate Conception and a day school, while St Joseph’s was given over to boarding pupils.

In 1959 a new secondary school was opened in part of Miltown House and in Woodbine Cottage by Dr Patrick Hillery, then Minister for Education. He originally came from Spanish Point and was later to become President of Ireland.

“In 1978 the boarding school at St Joseph’s closed, due to falling numbers, following the introduction of free secondary education and free school transport, which allowed pupils a greater choice of schools. The house was then given by the sisters to Clare Social Services as a holiday home for children, and was called McCauley House after the Venerable Catherine McCauley – founder of the Mercy Order.

In September 2015 Clare Social Service sold the former convent to Pat and Aoife O’Malley, who restored it as a luxury guesthouse and re-named it Spanish Point House.”

2. Ballinalacken Castle (house next to), Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare – hotel

Photograph from National Library of Ireland, constant commons, Flickr, Ballinalicken Castle, County Clare.

https://www.ballinalackencastle.com/ 

The website tells us that the property has been in the O’Callaghan family for three generations, and is now run by Declan and Cecilia O’Callaghan. The rooms look luxurious, some with four poster beds, and the hotel has a full restaurant.

The website tells us: “The original house was owned by the famous O’Brien clan – a royal and noble dynasty who were descendants of the High King of Ireland, Brian Ború. The house , castle and 100 acres of land was bought by Declan’s grandfather Daniel O’Callaghan, in 1938 and he and his wife Maisie opened it as a fine hotel. It was later passed to Daniel’s son Dennis and his wife Mary and then to his son, Declan. Declan and Cecilia have three children who also assist in the family business.

Standing tall on a limestone outcrop, our very own Castle, Ballinalacken Castle, is a two-stage tower house which was built in the 15th or early 16th century. It is thought the name comes from the Irish Baile na leachan (which means “town of the flagstones/tombstones/stones”).

10th Century: The original fortress is built by famous Irish clan, the O’Connors – rulers of West Corcomroe.

14th Century: The fortress itself is found and Lochlan MacCon O’Connor is in charge of its rebuilding.

1564: Control of West Corcomroe passes to Donal O’Brien of the O’Brien family.

1582: The lands are formally granted by deed to Turlough O’Brien of Ennistymon. After the Cromwellians triumphed in the area, five of Turlough’s castles are razed to the ground – but Ballinalacken is saved as it was not on the list of “overthrowing and demolishing castles in Connaught and Clare.”

1662: Daniel dies and grandson Donough is listed as rightful holder of the Castle.

Mark Bence-Jones writes in his A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):

p. 26. “(O’Brien/LGI1912) A single-storey house with a curved bow, close to an old keep on a rock. The seat of the O’Brien family, of which Lord Chief Justice Peter O’Brien, Lord O’Brien of Kilfenora (known irreverently as “Pether the Packer”) was a younger son.” 

3. The Carriage Houses, Beechpark House, Bunratty, County Clare

https://beechparkcountryhouse.ie

A warm welcome awaits you at The Carriage Houses, situated in the grounds of Beechpark House, Bunratty, in the heart of County Clare on the west coast of Ireland.

Part of the estate of a former Bishop’s Palace, the Carriage Houses have been restored to provide a retreat away from the frenetic pace of the modern world. We invite you to relax in your own luxury suite, complete with all modern amenities, and succumb to a slower pace of life while you are with us.”

4. Clare Ecolodge, formerly Loughnane’s, Main Street, Feakle, Co Clare – section 482, accommodation

www.clareecolodge.ie
Open dates in 2025: June 1-August 31, Wed-Sun, Aug 16-24, 2pm-6pm Fee: Free

The website tells us:

Clare Ecolodge at Loughnane’s, Feakle, in the heart of East Clare, is a unique family-run guest accommodation experience. We also offer group and self-catering accommodation as well as residential courses.
The buildings, which have been in the family for over 100 years, were renovated 10 years ago. Since then we have been welcoming guests from all over the world.
Clare Ecolodge at Loughnane’s offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit the needs of individuals and groups visiting Feakle for a residential courses or using the village as a base to explore the wild and beautiful landscape of County Clare.
Feakle is an ideal location from which to discover the East Clare countryside. Steeped in history and heritage, the area is known for its fine walks, stunning lakes, rugged mountains and of course its vibrant Irish traditional music scene.
Loughnane’s offers a unique blend of tranquillity and fun giving guests a genuine Irish experience.

Clare Ecolodge at Loughnane’s in Feakle has been designated by the Irish State as a building of significant historical, architectural interest and members of the public are invited to view the building (free of charge) at the following times from June 1 to August 31 from Wednesday to Sunday between 2pm and 6pm.

Clare Ecolodge; The Energy Story:

Clare Ecolodge was created in 2018 to signify the changes which we have implemented over  the past two years at Loughnane’s Guesthouse/ Hostel. We have converted all our rooms in the main house to large private double and family rooms. In May 2018 we installed 30 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the main building. Look up and see for yourself! Since then we have been producing between 20 to 60kw hours per day.

In May 2018 we also installed an air to water heat pump system. This is a low usage eco-water heating system powered by electricity. This heats all our water requirements for showers, laundry and kitchen requirements. We have not turned on our oil burner since installation. The average yearly energy requirements for an Irish household is approximately 4000kwh. Our energy system has produced this in the past 3 months. In that time we have avoided 2.5 tonnes of CO2. We use between 5 and 15kwh per day. The surplus is sent back to the grid at the transformer  at the top of the village. We currently receive zero compensation for the excess electricity we generate but the ESB charges the community for the usage of this electricity.

We estimate that we are currently at least 50% off-gird. Our main hot water and energy requirements are in the summer months. In high season there are more showers used and laundry needed. Our current energy system can handle this with little effort.

For the past decade we have been growing our own vegetables and herbs for use in our kitchen.

Next phase – Winter time

Our Solar PV panels are powered by light rather than heat so will work in winter, albeit not for periods as long in the summer. We aim to install a battery storage system so we can manage the energy we generate to be used at the most opportune times. We aim to install a second heat pump for our central heating requirements. This will effectively reduce our oil consumption to zero. We aim to install a wind turbine system on our 12 acre farm behind the main house. This will be used as a back up to bridge the energy generation gap between winter and summer.

5. Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare – hotel

www.dromoland.ie 

Dromoland Castle, County Clare, photo care of Dromoland Castle, for Tourism Ireland 2019, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])

Mark Bence-Jones writes in A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):

p. 109. “(O’Brien, Inchiquin, B/PB) Originally a large early C18 house with a pediment and a high pitched roof; built for Sir Edward O’Brien, 2nd Bt; possibly inspired by Thomas Burgh, MP, Engineer and Surveyor-General for Ireland. Elaborate formal garden. This house was demolished ca 1826 by Sir Edward O’Brien, 4th Bt (whose son succeeded his kinsman as 13th Lord Inchiquin and senior descendant of the O’Brien High Kings) and a wide-spreading and dramatic castle by James and George Richard Pain was built in its place. The castle is dominated by a tall round corner tower and a square tower, both of then heavily battlemented and machicolated; there are lesser towers and a turreted porch. The windows in the principal fronts are rectangular, with Gothic tracery. The interior plan is rather similar to that of Mitchelstown Castle, Co Cork, also by the Pains; a square entrance hall opens into a long single-storey inner hall like a gallery, with the staircase at its far end and the principal reception rooms on one side of it. But whereas Mitchelstown rooms had elaborate plaster Gothic vaulting, those at Dromoland had plain flat ceilings with simple Gothic or Tudor-Revival cornices. The dining room has a dado of Gothic panelling. The drawing room was formerly known as the Keightley Room, since it contained many of the magnificent C17 portraits which came to the O’Brien family through the marriage of Lucius O’Brien, MP [1675-1717], to Catherine Keightley, whose maternal grandfather was Edward Hyde, the great Earl of Clarendon. The other Keightley portraits hung in the long gallery, which runs from the head of the staircase, above the inner hall. Part of the C18 garden layout survives, including a gazebo and a Doric rotunda. In the walled garden in a C17 gateway brought from Lemeneagh Castle, which was the principal seat of this branch of the O’Briens until they abandoned it in favour of Dromoland. The Young Irelander leader, William Smith O’Brien, a brother of the 13th Lord Inchiquin, was born in Dromoland in C18 house. Dromolond castle is now a hotel, having been sold 1962 by 16th Lord Inchiquin, who built himself a modern house in the grounds to the design of Mr Donal O’Neill Flanagan; it is in a pleasantly simple Georgian style.” 

Donough O’Brien (1642-1717), 1st Baronet by Mary Beale, 1690. He lived in an earlier Dromoland Castle.
Lucia Hamilton, 1674, daughter of George Hamilton. Wife of Donough O’Brien, 1st Baronet, married in 1674. She died two years later, not long after the birth of his son and heir, Lucius.
Edward O’Brien (1705-1765) 2nd Baronet of Dromoland, County Clare from Historical memoir of the O’Briens : The Origin and History of the O’Brien Clan, by John O’Donoghue A.M, Barrister-at-Law, First Published in 1860 (Martin Breen 2002) Illustrations section (Collection of O’Brien of Dromoland), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109837449
Mary Hickman, wife of Edward O’Brien, 2nd Baronet, from Historical memoir of the O’Briens : The Origin and History of the O’Brien Clan, by John O’Donoghue A.M, Barrister-at-Law, First Published in 1860 (Martin Breen 2002) Illustrations section, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109837783

Lucius Henry O’Brien, 3rd Baronet of Dromoland, County Clare (1731-95) also lived in 14 Henrietta St from 1767-1795 – for more about him, see Melanie Hayes, The Best Address in Town: Henrietta Street, Dublin and its First Residents 1720-80, published by Four Courts Press, Dublin 8, 2020. 

Dromoland Castle, Co Clare, NLI, Lawrence Photographic Collection photo by Robert French.
Edward Donough, 14th Baron of Inchiquin, K.P. by F. Sargeant 1897, courtesy Fonsie Mealy auction 2016.

6. Falls Hotel, formerly Ennistymon House, Ennistymon, Co. Clare

Falls Hotel, photograph for Failte Ireland, 2021. [see Ireland’s Content Pool]. (see [1])

www.fallshotel.ie 

Mark Bence-Jones writes in A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):

p. 121. “(Macnamara/IFR) :A two storey seven bay gable-ended C18 house with a two bay return prolonged by a single-storey C19 wing ending in a gable. One bay pedimented breakfront with fanlighted tripartite doorway; lunette window in pediment. Some interior plasterwork, including a frieze incorporating an arm embowed brandishing a sword – the O’Brien crest – in the hall. Conservatory with art-nouveau metalwork; garden with flights of steps going down to the river. The home of Francis MacNamara, a well-known bohemian character who was the father-in-law of Dylan Thomas and who married, as his second wife, the sister of Augustus John’s Dorelia; he and John are the Two Flamboyant Fathers in the book of that name by his daughter, Nicolette Shephard.” 

Ennistymon House (between ca. 1865-1914), County Clare, photograph by Robert French, Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.

7. Gregan’s Castle Hotel, County Clare

WWW.GREGANS.IE

Gregan’s Castle hotel, County Clare, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

The National Inventory tells us Gregan’s Castle was built in 1750. It tells us Gregan’s Castle is a: “six-bay two-storey house, built c. 1750, with half-octagonal lower projection. Extended c. 1840, with single-bay two-storey gabled projecting bay and single-storey flat-roofed projecting bay to front. Seven-bay two-storey wing with single-storey canted bay windows to ground floor, added c. 1990, to accommodate use as hotel.”

The website tells us:

Welcome to Gregans Castle Hotel. Please take a look around our luxury, eco and gourmet retreat, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Burren on Ireland’s west coast. The house has been welcoming guests since the 1940s and our family have been running it since 1976. Our stunning 18th century manor house is set in its own established and lovingly-attended gardens on the Wild Atlantic Way, and has spectacular views that stretch across the Burren hills to Galway Bay.

Inside, you’ll find welcoming open fires, candlelight and striking decoration ranging from modern art, to antique furniture, to pretty garden flowers adorning the rooms. Gregans Castle has long been a source of inspiration for its visitors. 

Guests have included J.R.R Tolkien, who’s said to have been influenced by the Burren when writing The Lord of the Rings, as well as other revered artists and writers such as Seamus Heaney and Sean Scully.

And for the guests of today: with warm Irish hospitality, stylish accommodation, outstanding service and exceptional fine dining in our award-winning restaurant, we truly are a country house of the 21st century. You can do nothing or everything here. And whatever you choose, we’d like you to join us in celebrating all that is wondrous and beautiful in this truly exceptional place.

Simon Haden and Frederieke McMurray

8. Loop Head Lightkeeper’s Cottage, County Clare -up to 6 guests

https://www.irishlandmark.com/properties/

Perched proudly on an enclosure at the tip of Loop Head stands the lighthouse station. Surrounded by birds and wild flowers, cliffs and Atlantic surf, Loop Head offers holiday accommodation with all of the spectacular appeal of the rugged west coast.

https://www.mountcallanhouse.ie

Culleen, Kilmaley,
County Clare, V95 NV0T

Mark Bence-Jones writes in A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):

p. 212. (Synge/IFR; Tottenham/IFR) A Victorian house of two storys over basement built 1873 by Lt Col G.C. Synge and his wife, Georgiana, who was also his first cousin, being the daughter of Lt-Col Charles Synge, the previous owner of the estate. The estate was afterwards inherited by Georgiana Synge’s nephew, Lt-Col F. St. L. Tottenham, who made a garden in which rhododendrons run riot and many rare and tender species flourish.” 

The website tells us:

Mount Callan House & Restaurant is situated in the beautiful surroundings of West Clare in the heart of Kilmaley village. We are a small, family-run restaurant, led by Chef Daniel Lynch, and guest house with a deep connection to our rural community.

The local landscape is our inspiration and our food is created using the very best seasonal ingredients from award-winning, local suppliers.

We encourage creativity, a good working environment and a community approach for the benefit of all.

10. Mount Cashel Lodge, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare period self-catering accommodation

https://www.mtcashel.com

and Stables https://hiddenireland.com/stay/self-catering-holiday-rentals/

The website describes it: “Enjoy luxury self-catering accommodation in these beautifully restored 18th Century lakeside lodges. Set in a 38 acre private landscaped estate with private Lake, riverside walk and Victorian cottage garden to explore. Lake boating, kayaking and fishing are available on site to complete this idyllic retreat.

11. Newpark House, Ennis, County Clare

https://www.newparkhouse.com/rates/

Newpark House, County Clare by Jen on flickr constant commons, 2016.

The website tells us: “Newpark House was built around 1750, and since then it has been the property of three families: the Hickmans, the Mahons and the Barrons.

The Hickmans came into the possession of Cappahard Estate in 1733. On part of this estate, Gortlevane townland, Richard Hickman built a house and landscaped around it. Around this time he re-named the townland Newpark. Several of those trees from the planting of the new park still survive. 
On his marriage in 1768 his father transferred the property to Richard. He died in 1810 and this property transferred to his son Edward Shadwell Hickman. Edward was a Crown Solicitor in Dublin and put the property up for rent. 

“The Mahons: Patrick Mahon, a member of the new up and coming Catholic gentry, took up this offer and moved his family into Newpark. The Mahon family were very involved in the campaign for equal rights for Catholics in Ireland. Patrick’s son, James Patrick commonly known as The O’Gorman Mahon, nominated Daniel O’Connell to contest the famous Clare Election of 1828. O’Connell’s victory in this election resulted in the granting of Catholic Emancipation in 1829. It is highly likely that Daniel O’Connell stayed at Newpark during his visits to Ennis at this time. O’Gorman Mahon (1802-1891) had a very colourful life which ranged from hunting bears in Finland with a Russian Tzar to becoming a Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the President of Costa Rica. Back in Ireland he is said to have introduced Parnell to Kitty O’Shea. 

While the Mahon family were living here they totally remodled the house. They added on wings and castlated the house in the Gothic revival style which was fashionable in Ireland at that time. The architect responsible would seem to be either John Nash or one of his former apprentices, the Pain brothers, all three were working in the area at this time.

 “Of special historical significance is a pair of crosses on the turrets of the house. These crosses have shamrocks on the ends and were put there to commerate Catholic Emancipation. The Mahon family purchased the estate outright in 1853 and held it until 1904. 

At times when Newpark was owned by the Hickmans and Mahons several other families and individuals lived there. The Ennis poet Thomas Dermody spent time here with his father before he set off from Newpark, in 1785, for Dublin, in search of fame and fortune. Thomas remarked on the comfort he felt at Newpark during his time there. Also to have lived at Newpark were Captain William Cole Hamilton, a Magistrate (1870-1876), William Robert Prickett (1883-1886) and Philip Anthony Dwyer (1888-1904), Captains in the local Clare Division of the British Army. 

“The Barrons: In 1904 the property came into ownership of the present family, the Barrons. 
Timothy ‘Thady’ Barron was born on the side of the road, in 1847, during the famine. His father had lost his herdsman job, along with the herdsman’s cottage, due to a change of landlord. After a few tough years his father got another herdsmans job and Thady followed in his fathers footsteps. Thady moved in to Newpark in 1904 with his family and he lived he until his death in 1945. In the 1950s Thady’s son James ‘Amy’ bought the property from his sister Nance. In 1960 Amy’s son Earnan and his new wife Bernie moved into a barely habitable Newpark House. They set about slowly but surely bringing the house back to live. Luckily for them they got an opportunity to furnish the house with antiques, which were at that time considered second-hand furniture. Bernie opened up Newpark House as a B&B in 1966. Her son, Declan, is the present owner and we are looking forward to 50 years in business in 2016.”
“The Barrons: In 1904 the property came into ownership of the present family, the Barrons. 
Timothy ‘Thady’ Barron was born on the side of the road, in 1847, during the famine. His father had lost his herdsman job, along with the herdsman’s cottage, due to a change of landlord. After a few tough years his father got another herdsmans job and Thady followed in his fathers footsteps. Thady moved in to Newpark in 1904 with his family and he lived he until his death in 1945. In the 1950s Thady’s son James ‘Amy’ bought the property from his sister Nance. In 1960 Amy’s son Earnan and his new wife Bernie moved into a barely habitable Newpark House. They set about slowly but surely bringing the house back to live. Luckily for them they got an opportunity to furnish the house with antiques, which were at that time considered second-hand furniture. Bernie opened up Newpark House as a B&B in 1966. Her son, Declan, is the present owner and we are looking forward to 50 years in business in 2016.”

12. Smithstown Castle (or Ballynagowan), County Claretower house accommodation

http://smithstowncastle.com 

Ballynagowan Castle County Clare by Neale Adams, 2011 on flickr constant commons.

From the website:

Only few castles in the West of Ireland have survived into our times. Ballynagowan (Smithstown) Castle has played an exciting role in the history of North Clare, taking its name from ‘beal-atha-an-ghobhan’, meaning the ‘mouth of the smith’s ford’. 

It was first mentioned in 1551 when the last King of Munster, Murrough O’Brien, (also known as the Tanist, was created 1st Earl of Thomond and 1st Baron of Inchiquin in 1543), willed the Castle of Ballynagowan to his son Teige before his death. 

Murrough O’Brien (1614-1674) 1st Earl of Inchiquin by John Michael Wright courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery.

Over the years it accommodated many famous characters of Irish history. Records show that in 1600 the legendary Irish rebel “Red” Hugh O’Donnell rested there with his men during his attack on North Clare, spreading ruin everywhere and seeking revenge on the Earl of Thomond for his being in alliance with the English. 

In 1649 Oliver Cromwell’s army came from England with death and destruction. The Castle was attacked with cannons when Cromwell’s General, Ludlow, swept into North Clare striking terror everywhere he went. 

In 1650 Conor O’Brien of Lemeneagh became heir of the castle. His death, however, came shortly afterwards in 1551, as he was fatally wounded in a skirmish with Cromwellian troops commanded by General Ludlow at Inchicronan. With him had fought his wife Maire Rua O’Brien (“The Red Mary”, named after her long red hair), one of the best known characters in Irish tradition. She had lived in the castle as a young woman and it is the ferocity and cruelty attributed to her, which has kept her name alive. Legends tell that to save her children’s heritage after Conor’s death she married several English generals, who were killed in mysterious ways one after the other- she supposedly ended her bloody carrier entombed in a hollow tree. 

During 1652 almost all inhabitable castles in Clare including Smithstown were occupied by Cromwellian garrisons, a time of terrible uncertainty as Clare was under military rule. 

Over the next decades Ballynagowan Castle was the seat of army generals, the High Sheriff of County Clare and Viscount Powerscourt, one of the most powerful aristocrats who had their main residence – a monumental neogothic palace – in Dublin.  

The castle was last inhabited mid 19th century and until its recent restauration served as beloved meeting point for couples -, songs and poems about it finding their way into the local pubs.

13. Strasburgh Manor coach houses, Inch, Ennis, County Clare

https://www.strasburghmanor.com/about-strasburgh-manor/

The website tells us:

The buildings that comprise the holiday homes were the coach houses attached to the House.

Once occupied by James Burke, who was killed in the French Revolution in 1790, the House was named after the French town of Strasbourg.

It figured prominently in Irish history up to its demise in 1921, when it was burned down during the Irish War of Independence.

Families associated with it included: Burke, Daxon, Stacpoole, Huxley, Mahon, Talbot, Taylor, Scott & McGann (ref: ‘Houses of Clare’ by Hugh Weir, published by Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare).

Whole House Rental, County Clare

1. Inchiquin House, Corofin, County Clare – whole house rental, up to 10 guests

https://www.irishlandmark.com/propertytag/cottages-and-houses/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApL2QBhC8ARIsAGMm-KFInICcRSxwLSiDxfFNk5WFytNcVrLvOQYhzJbIBes4V-M65iXz0gYaAln_EALw_wcB

Inchiquin House, County Clare by Conall, 2021 on flickr constant commons.

The website tells us “Inchiquin House is an elegant period home in County Clare, romantically tucked away in the west of Ireland not far from the Wild Atlantic Way. It is the perfect base from which to explore the unique Burren landscape, historic sites, and the region’s many leisure activities.

2. Mount Vernon lodge, Co Clare – whole house accommodation up to 11 people 

https://www.mountvernon.ie

Mount Vernon is a lovely Georgian Villa built in 1788 on the Burren coastline of County Clare with fine views over Galway Bay and the surrounding area. 

Built in 1788 for Colonel William Persse on his return from the American War of Independence, Mount Vernon was named to celebrate his friendship with George Washington. The three remaining cypress trees in the walled garden are thought to have been a gift from the President. 
 
During the nineteenth century Mount Vernon was the summer home of Lady Augusta Gregory of Coole, an accomplished playwright and folklorist and a pivotal figure in the Irish Cultural Renaissance. It was her collaboration with W.B.Yeats and Edward Martyn that created the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1904. Lady Gregory entertained many of the luminaries of the Irish Literary Revival at Mount Vernon including W.B.Yeats, AE (George Russell), O’Casey, Synge and George Bernard Shaw. 
 
In 1907 Lady Gregory gave the house to her son Robert Gregory as a wedding present and it was from here that he produced many of his fine paintings of the Burren landscape. He later joined the Royal Flying Corps and was shot down by ‘friendly fire’ in 1918, an event commemorated by W.B.Yeats in his famous poem, An Irish Airman Foresees his Death. 

A feature from this period are the unusual fireplaces designed and built by his close friend the pre-Raphaelite painter Augustus John.

[1] https://www.irelandscontentpool.com/en

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

Text © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Clare – open to the public

donation

Help me to pay the entrance fee to one of the houses on this website. This site is created purely out of love for the subject and I receive no payment so any donation is appreciated!

€15.00

Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Clare

https://www.dunguairecastle.com/dunguaire-castle/

Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Dunguaire is maintained by Shannon Heritage, which also owns Bunratty Castle, King Johns Castle in Limerick, Craggaunowen folk park, Knappogue Castle in County Clare, Dublin GPO Witness History and Malahide Castle and Gardens in Dublin. Stephen and I visited Dunguaire Castle in July 2021. The website currently tells us that it is temporarily closed.

Dunguaire is a tower house built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan on the shores of Galway Bay. “Dun Guaire” is from Fort of Guaire; Guaire was King of Connaught in the sixth century. Inland lay forests, bogs and wolves, so people travelled at that time by boat.

Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021.
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. This information board claims that it was Rory Mor O’Shaughnessy who built Dunguaire, around 1550.
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021.

A map in the castle showed us that from Galway in the 17th century, animal hides, tallow from fat, wool and salmon were exported to Spain and France, hare, squirrel, lamb and fox skins imported to Spain, kelp seaweed to France and England, Linen to New York (from flax) and pork and herring to colonies in Jamaica.

Galway would have obtained imports of salt from Portugal (although salt mines were also developed in Ireland), wine from France and Italy, iron, weapons, spices and calico from Spain, flax seed and tobacco from New York, potatoes from Delaware (!), and sugar, cotton and rum from the West Indies.

Another information board tells us that donkeys were brought to Ireland from Spain sometime during the seventeenth century.

The castle retains a small bawn and a second small tower.

Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Richard Martyn, Mayor of Galway in 1643-43, lived here until 1642 and the Martyn family, who also owned Tullira Castle in County Galway, continued to own Dunguaire castle through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and on until 1924. Richard Martyn is though to have modernised the building and added glass windows. Chimneys were added in the seventeenth century.

Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021.
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Tullira Castle, County Galway, also owned by the Martyn family, photograph by Fennell Photography BNPS from 2013 when the house was for sale. The tower house was built originally in the 15th century and in 1882 Edward Martyn, nationalist and patron of the arts, commissioned the design for the house from architect George Ashlin. 
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
You can see the imprint and remnants of wicker work which held up the ceiling when the mortar vaulting was created. Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

In 1924 Dunguaire was bought and repaired by Oliver St. John Gogarty, the famous surgeon and literary figure, who saved it from demolition.  It became the venue for meetings of the literary revivalists such as W.B. Yeats, his patron Lady Gregory, George Bernard Shaw, Edward Martin and J.M. Synge. In 1954 the castle was acquired by Christobel Lady Amptill, who completed the restoration started by Oliver St. John Gogarty.

Oliver St. John Gogarty (1878-1957) painted by William Orpen.

Mark Bence-Jones tells us in his A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988) that Lady Ampthill’s architect was Donal O’Neill Flanagan, “who carried out a most successful and sympathetic restoration. The only addition to the castle was an unobtrusive two storey wing joining the main tower to the smaller one. The main tower has two large vaulted rooms, one above the other, in its two lower storeys, which keep their original fireplaces; these were made into the dining room and drawing room.” [1]

She must have been a brave character to live in the tower all on her own! She sold it to the Shannon Development company in 1972. It was opened to visitors before that, however, when Lady Christobel owned it, according to another information board telling us that it was opened to visitors in 1962. Banquets began at the castle in 1968 – although I am sure there were many banquets in the castle before that!

Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
The Banquet Hall, which also has a stage. Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
I’m not sure when these stained glass windows were installed, probably by Edward Martyn (d. 1836) who was involved with a stained glass cooperative called An Tur Gloinne with the artist Sarah Purser. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
I wonder if these tapestries belonged to Lady Ampthilll, because the hunting scenes reflect her enjoyment of hunting. Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
A view from the tower house, looking inland. Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
View from Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
The roof of Dunguaire Castle, County Clare, July 2021. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

[1] Mark Bence-Jones writes in A Guide to Irish Country Houses (1988):

p. 115. “(Martyn/LGI1912; Gogarty/IFR; Russell, Ampthill, B/PB) An old tower-house with a bawn and a smaller tower, on a creek of Galway Bay; which was for long roofless, though in other respects well maintained by the Martyn family, of Tulira, who owned it C18 and C19, and which was bought in the present century by Oliver St John Gogarty, the surgeon, writer and wit, to save it from threat of demolition. More recently, it was bought by the late Christabel, Lady Ampthill, and restored by her as her home; her architect, being Donal O’Neill Flanagan, who carried out a most successful and sympathetic restoration. The only addition to the castle was an unobtrusive two storey wing joining the main tower to the smaller one. The main tower has two large vaulted rooms, one above the other, in its two lower storeys, which keep their original fireplaces; these were made into the dining room and drawing room. “Medieval” banquets and entertainments are now held here.” 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

Text © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Clonboy, O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare – demolished

Clonboy, O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare – demolished

Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.

listed in Vanishing Country Houses as Clonboy, Bridgetown, County Clare:

A two storey, pedimented, early nineteenth-century house. Seat of the Browne family. Demolished in the 1940s.

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 294. “(Brown/LGI1912) A mid-C18 house of three storeys over high basement. Hipped roof on brakcet cornice… The seat of the Brown family, sold after the death of Ernest George Brown 1942 and subsequently demolished.

Westbourne House, Ennis, County Clare 

Westbourne House, Ennis, County Clare 

Westbourne House, Co Clare, photograph by Robert French, (between ca. 1865-1914), Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 283. “A two storey gabled C19 house with a pillared porch. Eaved roof.” 

Tinerana, Killaloe, Co Clare 

Tinerana, Killaloe, Co Clare 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 273. “(Purdon/IFR) A Victorian house beautifully situated on the shores of Lough Derg, in a demesne with fine trees.” 

Raheen Manor, Tuamgraney, Co Clare 

Raheen Manor, Tuamgraney, Co Clare 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 237. (Lysaght/IFR) “a two storey castellated house with buttresses along the front… home of the writer and poet S.R. Lysaght and of his son Dr Edward MacLysaght, the historian, genealogist, and former Chief Herald. Demolished.” 

Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.

A two storey early 19C crenellated house. Seat of the Brady family. Demolished. Walled garden, outbuildings and gate lodge survive.

Quinville Abbey (or House), Quin, Co Clare 

Quinville Abbey (or House), Quin, Co Clare 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 236. “(Singleton/LGI1912) A C19 Tudor-gothic house with gables, pointed dormers and oriels.” 

Not in National Inventory 

Parteen-a-Lax, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare

Parteen-a-Lax, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 301. “(O’Brien, sub Inchiquin, B/PB; Gwynn/IFR; Hely-Hutchinson, sub Donoughmore/PB) A large single-storey house of cut stone with a curved roof, overlooking the Shannon, which the architect Robert Donough O’Brien, a son of the Young Ireland leader William Smith O’Brien, built for himself 1901. Very lofty rooms, some of them lit partly by skylights. Inherited by O’Brien’s niece, Miss Lucy Gwynn, the first Lady Registrar of Trinity College Dublin, who sold it 1941 to the widow of her cousin Donough Richard O’Brien. Now the home of Mr and Mrs David Hely-Hutchinson; Mrs Hely-Hutchinson, an artist who paints under her maiden name of Geraldine o’Brien, being Mrs Donough Richard O’Brien’s daughter. Parteen-a-Lax has a noteable garden.” 

Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.

Very attractive early 19C “cottage.” Single storey gable-ended porch and Tudor chimneystacks. Demolished c. 1926.

Quinsborough, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare 

Quinsborough, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 236. “(Quin, sub Dunraven, E/PB; and Headfort, M/PB) A Georgian house consisting of two storey double bow-fronted centre joined to two storey two bay wings by screen walls with niches. Three sided bows in front, with two bays above a plain doorway and sidelights between them. Parapetted roof; lunette windows in wings. The seat of George Quin, uncle of 1st Earl of Dunraven and father-in-law to 1st Marquess of Headfort; whose second son inherited Quinsborough and assumed the surname of Quin.” 

Nutfield House (also known as Drumconora), Co Clare – demolished 

Nutfield House (also known as Drumconora), Co Clare – demolished 

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

p. 301. (Crowe/LG1958; O’Loghlen, Bt/PB) A handsome stone-faced mid-C18 house of three storeys over basement, attributed to Francis Bindon. Pedimented breakfront with triple window over round-headed tripartite doorway; 2 bays on either side. Quoins; string courses; window surrounds with keystones. Seat of the Crowes (see Dromore), afterwards of the O’Loghlens, the family of the eminent lawyer Sir Michael O’Loghlen who 1836 became the first Catholic to sit on the Judicial Bench in Ireland or Britain since the Revolution of 1688. Drumconora was sold by the O’Loghlens 1930s and subsequently demolished.

http://lordbelmontinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-ologhlen-baronets.html

THE O’LOGHLEN BARONETS OWNED 1,895 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CLARE 

The family of O’LOGHLEN was for centuries settled in County Clare, and, before the coming of the English into Ireland, ruled over the territory of the north of the county known as the barony of The Burren. 
 
COLMAN O’LOGHLEN JP (1745-1810), of Portlecka, County Clare, married firstly, the sister of Daniel C’Connell, of Kilgory, which lady dsp; and secondly, in 1783, Susannah, daughter of Dr Michael Finucane, of Ennis, and had issue, 
 

Hugh; 
Colman (1817-26); 
MICHAEL, of whom hereafter
Bryan; 
Daniel; 
Terence; 
Lucinda. 

The third son, 
 
MICHAEL O’LOGHLEN (1789-1842), MP for Dungarvan, 1835-37, a distinguished lawyer, having filled successively the offices of Solicitor and Attorney-General, was elevated to the Bench as a Baron of the Exchequer in 1836, which he relinquished on being appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland the following year. 
 
Mr O’Loghlen was created a baronet in 1838, designated of Drumconora, Ennis
 
Sir Michael married, in 1817, Bidelia, daughter of Daniel Kelly, of Dublin, and had issue, 
 

COLMAN MICHAEL, his successor
Hugh Ross; 
BRYAN, 3rd Baronet
Michael; 
Maria; Susan; Bidelia; Lucy. 

He was succeeded by his eldest son, 
 
SIR COLMAN MICHAEL O’LOGHLEN, 2nd Baronet (1819-77), QC, MP for County Clare, 1863-77, who died unmarried, when the title devolved upon his brother, 
 
SIR BRYAN O’LOGHLEN, 3rd Baronet (1828-1905), MP for County Clare, 1877-79, who wedded, in 1863, Ella, daughter of James Mackey Seward, and had issue, 
 

MICHAEL, his successor
Colman Seward; 
Hugh Ross; 
Bryan James; 
CHARLES HUGH ROSS, 5th Baronet
Henry Ross, father of the 6th Baronet
Annie Bidelia Margaret; Lucy Susan Mary; Ella Maude; 
Frances Mary; Clare Mary; Aimee Margaret Julia. 

Sir Bryan was succeeded by his eldest son, 
 
SIR MICHAEL O’LOGHLEN, 4th Baronet (1866-1934), JP, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1910, who espoused, in 1918, Beatrice Mary, daughter of Sir Michael Murphy, 1st Baronet. 
 
Sir Michael was the last Lord-Lieutenant of County Clare, 1910-22. 
 
He died without issue, and was succeeded by his brother, 
 
SIR CHARLES HUGH ROSS O’LOGHLEN, 5th Baronet (1881-1951), who died unmarried, when the title reverted to his cousin, 
 
SIR COLMAN MICHAEL O’LOGHLEN, 6th Baronet (1916-2014), who wedded, in 1939, Margaret, daughter of Francis O’Halloran, and had issue, 
 

MICHAEL, his successor
Bryan; 
Ross; 
Hugh; 
Colman; 
Brendan; 
Margaret; Janet. 

Sir Colman was succeeded by his eldest son, 
 
SIR MICHAEL O’LOGHLEN, 7th Baronet (1945-), QC, who wedded, in 1967, Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Dr D M Clarke, and has issue, 
 

Hugh; 
David; 
Rory. 

The present baronet lives in Australia. 
 

***** 

 
NUTFIELD HOUSE, also known as Drumconora, County Clare, was a large three storey residence which belonged to the Crowe family at the end of the 18th century, and until at least 1814, when it was the residence of Robert Crowe. 

By the mid-19th century, Nutfield was the home of Sir Colman O’Loghlen Bt, who held it in fee. 

Unfortunately I presently have no further information about the house or its history. 
 
First published in February, 2017. 

Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.

Drumconora, Ennis:

A large three storey pedimented mid to late 18C house. In 1786 the seat of the Crow family. Demolished.