Home Page
Cars & Other Links
About Prices
Booking Conditions
About GTU
ENGLAND
SCOTLAND
WALES
IRELAND
LONDON
Luxury castle vacation rental near Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland.  Self catering , excellent wedding venue.
Irish Castle Self Catering Rentals - County Galway, Ireland
Return to Ireland Vacation Rentals Page
to view more IRELAND VACATION RENTALS

LOUGHREA
NORMAN CASTLE
County Galway, Ireland

As this is a popular wedding venue, we strongly urge you to book early.
Contact us for further information or click the button above to see other Irish castles in County Galway.

Accommodates 14
7 double bedrooms:
4 en suitebedrooms in the main castle
3 bedrooms in the tower
2 bathrooms in the tower

This Irish castle has stood on this site for over 800 years.  Originally built as an outpost fort in the 12th Century, the castle was last inhabited in the 15th Century by the Earl of Ulster.  It suffered the ravages of time until the late 1970's when it was purchased by direct descendants of the Earl who undertook a massive renovation.  The granite rocks used to repair the six foot thick walls are from a nearby abbey ruin dating from the same period.  The castle is still being changed and improved.
Vacation Rental Castle near Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland
Rental Castle driveway outside Kilchrest, Ireland

The castle has two separate sections, the original tall castle tower and the new great hall wing.   This photo shows the two parts very clearly.

Through stone pilars, an avenue leads to the castle's tall arched wooden doors.   Walls of exposed natural stone, wood beamed ceilings and the sandstone or wooddn floors provide authenticity.
 

In total, there are 7 double bedrooms.  Three bedrooms are in the castle tower.  They are reached via a the original 90-step spiral stone stairway.  There is one bedroom per level with two bathrooms located on levels between the three bedrooms.  The Tribes bedroom, pictured here, has the original 800 year old fireplace that has preserved Norman carvings. 

The tower bedrooms are beautifully furnished and have excellent electric lighting, but they have little natural light as the windows are the original arrow slits.  It's very atmospheric and a bit spooky.

Ireland Castel Rental - 12th century tower bedroom
Entry Hall - Vacation Rental Castle, County Galway, Ireland

The new addition, attached to the tower, contains the public rooms and 4 more bedrooms. 

The main floor has a wide stone entrance hall with a graceful stairway up to the drawing room and two of the four bedrooms.

The medieval-style banquet hall, which seats 120, has an enormous stone fireplace.  This photos shows the table set for a smaller group, but the room is intended for weddings and other large gatherings.   More tables and several sitting arrangements can be provided and there will still be room for the stage and the wood dance floor.

Ireland Castle Rental Dining Room
Ireland castle rental - Kitchen

The large, modern kitchen is designed to serve a small group or a massive catered affair.  There are w stone floors, granite countertops, walnut cupboards, top quality appliances, including a 6-burner stove.  The kitchen has a dining area that has a table that seats 8 comfortably.

Professional Stove

There are two bathrooms on the ground floor, each with three toilet stalls.  Obviously, this is to serve larger parties.  

The drawing room is upstairs.  It is very large and furnished with comfortable upholstered pieces, two lush deep pink sofas and several wing chairs.  Antiques and art, stone walls and a huge fireplace make this a very impressive room.   There is a TV and video player in an antique cabinet.   The views from this room are of the lovely rolling Irish countryside.

Ireland Castle Rental - Sitting Room with large, open fireplace.
Ireland Castle Rental - Bedroom

The four bedrooms in the new part of the castle are all large, luxurious and comfortable.  They a stylish decor with a medieval theme.  We have stayed in one of these rooms and felt that we were in the lap of luxury.  The en suite modern bathrooms all have a shower.  Here and in the tower, bed linens and towels are the finest quality.
 

Ireland Castle Rental - Bedroom
The battlement, on the roof, can accommodate 300 people for a barbecue or other outdoor activity.   It's a fine place for before dinner drinks or long evenings under the stars.

There is a tennis court, helicopter landing pad and parking spaces for 50 cars.

WEDDINGS:
The castle is perfect for weddings.  The owner employs a wedding service staff who are delighted to help you create the perfect wedding.  Please tell us your dream and we'll give you all the infomation you need to make that dream come true.

WE REGRET THAT, BECAUSE OF STRICT INSURANCE RULES REGARDING THE TOWER AND THE BATTLEMENTS, THIS PROPERTY IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12.  THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING WEDDINGS) AT THE CASTLE, NOR MAY THEY BE INCLUDED IN PARTIES WHO WISH TO RENT THE CASTLE .

Galway City is 20 miles.  Lochrea Village is 7 miles.  Shannon Airport is 40 miles.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:

Wheelchairs can be accommodated only on the ground floor of the new part of the castle.  The bathrooms on the ground floor are wheelchair accessible.  Travelers with mild mobility limitations can manage the wide stairway in the newer part of the castle.  The original circular stone stairway in the tower is not recommended for anyone with limitations of sight, balance or mobility.
 
PRICES
Heating is extra, charged at cost by meter readings. 
Electricity and cleaning, 2 hours/day Monday-Friday, are included.
Refundable Damage/Security Deposit of €300 repaid withing 1 month of departure.

2009 2010
Weekly Price € 9,000
€ 9,500
3-night Price € 6,900
€ 7,000
2-night Price € 5,500
€ 5,700
1-night Price € 3,900
€ 3,900

Return to Ireland Vacations Rentals Page
to return to the IRELAND VACATIONS RENTALS Page

Home Page
Cars & Other Links
About Prices
Booking Conditions
About GTU
ENGLAND
SCOTLAND
WALES
IRELAND
LONDON

For more information or to inquire about a property:
Contact Great Trips Unlimited by e-mail:E-mail Enquiry Form

Or call us at  +1 503 297 3555
Toll-free in the US and Canada:  1 888 239 9720
Free Call in the UK:  0800 028 4278
Fax:  +1 503 297 3508

© Great Trips Unlimited, Inc. 1998 - 2009