The 500-year old GAELIC tower house

Ballyportry works especially well with families. It is a contented and a welcoming castle that gives space to everyone. It is one of the largest and most comfortable towerhouses in Ireland, with generous spaces on every level. Unlike many others it is NOT a military castle. It was built as a place of gathering. Two large high rooms, the Great Hall at the top and the kitchen/living at ground level give space to all. A 17th century bawn wall that dates from the 17th century encloses Ballyportry. When you arrive you walk up an incline to the gated entrance to the bawn. You enter through a thick wood door into a large high vaulted kitchen/sitting chamber. The quality of the light is one of the first impressions to be noted, as it is that of the celebrated paintings of interiors of houses by the famous Dutch painter, Vermeer. Photographs fail to catch the nuanced and changing light of the Atlantic weather in these high vaulted spaces. The log stove will be lit and the surprise is the farmhouse comfort of a well used table and the familiarity of geraniums that flourish on the deep window cills. The kitchen is equipped with an elegant 21st century log burning stove, a 6 burner cooking gas stove, dishwasher and fridge/freezer with plenty of delph and a good selection of books in the bookcase. The superbly engineered stone spiral staircase ascends the castle to the principal room, the Great Hall roofed with oak trusses, an open fireplace, couches, a dining table, more books and an independent kitchen up a further 3 steps to one side on the way to the rooftop walk. Drinks before dinner are frequently enjoyed in front of the open fire. Our guests wonder at the sunset from this ancient high vaulted room or, on a clear winter’s night, the stars with their light from thousands of years past, as twilight sets in. The 500 year old Gaelic tower house, Ballyportry Castle is a pleasant half hour’s drive from the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route that leads around Galway Bay and on to the much visited Cliffs of Moher. The authentic castle is furnished in a classic rustic style. It stands high above the green landscape of County Clare with grazing horses and cattle nearby. At night the gate of the 17th century encircling bawn wall of the castle frames the moon as it rises over the distinctive shelving outline of the Clare hills. Seven lakes can be seen from the rooftop walk. The late medieval castle walls enclose comfortable rooms and chambers with a Great Hall at the highest level, more than 100’ above the distinctive limestone Burren lands of this part of Clare. Ancient roadways nearby have become 21st century hiking routes through the flower rich Burren. The name Ballyportry comes from Baile na Criotaire, and it was built over a time span of several decades for the Tánaiste of the O'Briens, whose stronghold was at Lemanagh Castle. It is a happy place of gathering, and very different in feeling from the military castles of the time that have poky rooms and deliberately narrow stairs. No more than 6 guests can stay with the current restrictions. There is a good ventilation system and ducted heating. We currently allow a space of at least 4 days between bookings. The castle guide will welcome you and explain how the castle works to you when you arrive. there is a strict arrival time of between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. She will be available at the end of a phone throughout your stay to offer suggestions for expeditions and outings. The Burren National Park marked by the stony Mullaghmore that takes an hour or so to climb to its summit is 10 minutes distant by car. The magnificent Cathair Comhain just 20 minutes away by car, before you walk on rugged ground through a small valley and up to the ring fort on the Burren. The Wild Atlantic Way is a half hour distant with the views of the Aran Islands and the Cliffs and the lovely Flaggy Shore. The charming small towns of Kilfenora, Ennistymon and Kinvara offer cafes for when you are out and about. Loop Head with its lighthouse is at the end of the peninsula of Clare. The county town with a street pattern of medieval streets winding around the River Fergus is about 20 minutes distant. Shannon Airport is within a 45 minute drive. Our Ballymaloe trained chef can fully prepare a supper for your arrival so that you have only to heat it up. She can shop in advance for you from a list of local artisan food producers and deliver it to the Castle. Burren tours can be arranged with an experienced and well published nature author, Gordon D'Arcy, who is an expert on the Burren and will tailor the tour to your families age range. You will need to arrange all of this well in advance of your stay. Energy usage: The limestone walls hold the heat well. Each family makes use of the castle in different ways, some staying in all day and some going out and about. The energy usage varies. It is metered. We turn the heating on for you on the night before you arrive. The castle is ventilated with a ventilation system through the heating ducts while not in use, that brings in air from the outside, but it is not heated.