This authentic 700 year old castle still has a medieval atmosphere.  It is perfect for casual living and out-of-doors pursuits.  When we visited, a party of fourteen spirited young Englishmen were just arriving for their fifth annual fishing holiday.  One of them described the fun they have here and their plans to continue the tradition forever!

It is a tall, narrow structure that is in sharp contrast to the softly rolling hills on which it stands.  Enter into a small stone-floored entry area.  To the left are three bedrooms, one leading into the other.  This castle predates the concept of hallways (hallways are a rather recent invention)  so one must walk through one bedroom to reach the next bedroom and so on.

The first bedroom has two single beds, one of either side of the room.  A decorative screen shields another bed, a double.  There is a large pine chest and a window with deep window sills, about 6 feet deep.
 

Walk through that room into a room with a double bed and, behind a screen, a single bed.  This room, too, has a chest of drawers.

The third bedroom, beyond the first two bedrooms, has a single bed.

Back at the entry way, there is a large bathroom with a tub and shower over tub.  There’s a washer and a dryer in this bathroom.

Off the entry hall, a narrow stone stairway with 18 steps leads to the upper floors.  The Great Hall remains much as it has been for centuries.  It’s a spacious living/dining area with two church pews and two easy chairs flanking a large fireplace.  Three windows face fine views of the lake and green fields.

The dining table seats everyone on long benches.  A large dresser holds books and dishes.  The room has artifacts with a medieval theme, a writing desk, TV, VCR, tape player.
 

The master bedroom has a queen bed, a wood ceiling, a chest of drawers and free-standing wardrobes with fabric covers.   There's a flokati rug, historic prints and a large unicorn tapestry on the wall.  An adjoining bathroom has a bathtub with a hand-held shower.

The kitchen is on this level.  It’s small and compact - much like a ship’s galley.  Many fine feasts have been prepared in this tiny space.

From a little area just before the kitchen, you can climb a very narrow, very steep, very curvy stone stairway to the top floor of the tall tower.  There is a tiny single bedroom here.  Don’t even think about two people sharing it.  It has a narrow bed, a chest of drawers and a wash basin.  It has access to the tower parapet and truly spectacular views of, it seems, nearly all of Ireland.

We know the bedroom situation is confusing.  Here’s a recap:

There are 6 bedrooms.  Three bedrooms, on the entry level, are interconnecting.  One of these bedrooms has a double bed and two singles.  One has a double bed and a single bed.  One has a single bed (and the most privacy).  Upstairs, one bedroom has a queen bed.  The loft bedroom has a queen bed and a single bed.  The tower bedroom has a single bed.
 

The setting is idylic,  The seven woodland acres are on the shore of one of Ireland’s most beautiful lakes, Lough Corrib.  There is a small dock and a fishing boat is available by arrangement (the fishing on the lake is said to be excellent.)  There are miles of walking trails.  Golf and horse riding are nearby.   Basic shopping and pubs are a mile from the castle.  Galway City, which has everything, is 18 miles.