to return to the IRELAND VACATION RENTALS Page

Accommodates 10 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms This castle, actually a tower house, was built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara.  In 1570, it was the seat of the warrior MacNamara Clan and remained so until 1659 when it was confiscated by Cromwell, whose troops occupied the building.  The monarchy was restored in 1670 and the castle was returned to the MacNamaras.  It was sold to the Scott family in 1800 and a major restoration was undertaken by them.  Lord Dunboyne acquired the castle in 1855 and he completed the restoration.  In the early 20th century, it was headquarters of General Michael Brennan in the course of Ireland's fight for freedom.  By the 1920's, the castle had fallen into neglect.  Fortunately, it was purchased by an Irish-American family in 1966.  They made an extensive and sensitive restoration that returned the castle to its 15th century glory (with 20th century comforts!).  The castle is now owned by an Irish development company that maintains the building with care.  Many dignitaries have stayed here, including Irish presidents, former US President Ronald Reagan and Premier Charles de Gaulle.

THE STATE ROOM APARTMENT: The self-contained apartment is on the second floor of the castle, well away from the main floor halls.  Walk up interior stone steps to the apartment's hallway where there is an ornate gold-leaf reception table and a mirror.  Then walk up a few more stairs into the main hallway. The Garden Drawing Room is on the right.  It has elegant, comfortable furniture, sofas covered in a delicate blue and white pattern and comfortable easy chairs.  There is a baby grand piano, fine antique furniture, art with historical significance and antique tapestries.  A fireplace, a tall ceiling with original wood beams and gleaming wood floor complete the opulant atmosphere.

Along a hallway is the large dining room.  A round antique oak table can expand to seat 10 comfortably.  The room also has a large sitting area that has comfortable furniture, antique tapestries, an impressive fireplace, a rich red rug over a pegged oak floor. This is a perfect place for large gatherings or corporate retreats.

The light and bright kitchen has painted wood cabinets, a stove, dishwasher, a large refrigerator and an ice machine and a washer and dryer.  In the middle of the room, there is a small table with two benches.  Copper pots hang from the ceiling.  Walls are bluish-greenish-grayish and all wood is painted a surprising rich red.  On an antique pine dresser, there is a large selection of locally-made pottery for your use and you can also arrange to purchase the same piece from the artist - she will ship it to you.

The Lord's Bedroom has a king-sized half-tester canopy bed, antique oak and mahogany furniture, including a huge chest of drawers and a damask-covered Chippendale settee.  There is fine art and Chinese pottery and a large, carved decorative fireplace.  Colors are blue and cream.  This is an elegant room that is, indeed, fit for a Lord.  The very large en suite bathroom has a sunken tub, but no shower.

The President's Bedroom has twin half-tester canopy beds covered with quilted blue and cream covers, a red rug over a wood floor, an antique Asian chest of drawers, blue and white Chinese pottery, window seats, blue and white occasional chairs, a decorative fireplace.  Windows look out to the grounds. The en suite bathroom has a shower.

The Yellow Bedroom adjoins the above twin bedroom and it can be accessed from the hall as well. It has twin beds with green and cream toile du jouy patterned bedspreads, a carved decorative fireplace, a green carpet with a Celtic pattern over parquet floor, a green-stained chest of drawers, antiques and art.

Lady Gray's Bedroom has twin beds with headboards upholstered in the same pink and white design as the bedspreads. This is a smallish room, very comfortable and cozy.  It has a chest of drawers, two small chairs, many pretty floral prints hanging on the wall.   The Yellow Bedroom and Lady Gray's Bedroom share the hallway bathroom which has a deep, long tub.  Walls are a vivid and jolly yellow.

The Tower Bedroom is up about 6 steps from the other bedrooms.  It has a king bed with a tall fabric headboard and a native-inspired coverlet.  Bedside lamps are made from antique liquor jugs. There's an antique desk and chair and an antique map of the US and two small red velvet slipper chairs.  Windows look out onto the Walled Garden.  The en suite bathroom has a shower.

This is a comfortable, luxurious, private and beautiful apartment.  While it has a distinctly old-world ambiance, there is a TV, video player and large video library, a stereo system, a telephone with three lines plus a fax.
 

This is a gorgeous, lush area of Ireland.  Riding, fishing, hunting and golf are plentiful.  Lively villages have many authentic pubs that feature Celtic music. Adare, just a few miles from the castle, is a historic thatched village that has several superb restaurants. Every village Nearby Heritage sites include Craggaunowen, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Dunguarie Castle and King John’s Castle. Shannon Airport is miles. Galway City is miles. Dublin is miles.

---

THE CASTLE:

Enter through the castle doors into the 15th century Dalcassian Hall which has a large arched stone fireplace and Liscannor stone floor that has eel patterns formed during the ice age.  Banquet guests are welcomed here with a goblet of mead.
 

Off the Dalcassian Hall are two smaller 19th century reception rooms.  Both have an ornately-plastered ceiling, parquet floor, a large marble fireplace, a crystal chandelier.  Both rooms are beautifully appointed with leather sofas, ornate black lacquer chairs with gold cushions and other furnishings of the period.  The large shuttered windows open on to green lawns and the beautiful formal garden.

The Medieval Room, is used for banquets and weddings, has an ancient ambiance.  It is a cavernous, T-shaped room with stone walls and a stone ceiling that has wood beams.  There are long tables with stout wood candle sticks and long benches.  High, tall, narrow windows have dark wood shutters.  There is a stage for musicians. Banners with clan symbols hang from the ceiling.

The main Banquet Hall (originally Lord Dunboyne’s picture gallery) is the venue for the medieval banquets and wedding receptions.  The T-shaped hall has a wood beamed ceiling, large banners, wood banquet tables, benches and candle holders.  In the centre of the hall there is a stage from where the butler and ladies of the castle, dressed in medieval costume, entertain guests.

The medieval banquets are great fun.  You will be greeted by the costumed Earl's Butler and the Ladies of the Castle and proceed into the Dalcassian Hall.  Here you savor a goblet of Mead (honey wine) while listening to harp and fiddle music followed by medieval choral singing by the lovely Ladies of the Castle.  The Earl's Butler relates the history of the castle and explains the ‘Rules of Chivalry’ and the dire consequences of breaching them.  The Earl receives his sword of office and presides over the banquet, a 5-course meal with red and white wine.  Many amusing things happen – we won't give you even a hint!  It's superb fun - a highlight of a visit to Ireland.

The banquet room seats 160 people.  You can rent the entire hall or just book a table.  The cost is E50 per person. 

This is a grand place for a wedding.  Tell us your dream and we'll help you arrange the perfect wedding.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:

We regret that there may be too many stairs to be accessible to anyone who has difficulty with stairs.
 

to return to the IRELAND VACATIONS RENTALS Page

For more information or to book a property:
Contact Great Trips Unlimited by e-mail:
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 - 2008