Carraigin Castle — Attraction in County Galway

Carraigin Castle is the perfect place for a family reunion. Whatever the time of year, one of the most beautiful sights in the world comes when you sweep into the drive leading up to the high white castle outlined against the sky and looking out with benign vigilance over Lough Corrib. I stayed there for the first time nearly 30 years ago, with my wife, young children, nephews and a niece. On my most recent visit, my children were accompanied by their spouses and their young children and a favorite aunt and uncle. The long table in the main hall can comfortably seat ten adults and we find it very conducive to the sort of lively conversations that bring the three generations up to date with the latest happenings in the family.

It was the first visit for my grandchildren. They loved everything about the historic building, from the landscaped garden to the medieval Norman knights depicted on the white walls of the great hall. Sitting on the cushions lining the high Norman “arrow slit” windows set in the thick stone walls, and looking out over the lake, they chatted for hours. Occasionally, they paused to chase each other around the child-friendly great hall and up and down the deep stone stairs to the lower bedrooms. Rooms, the walls of which, in keeping with the castle owner’s dedication to authenticity, look exactly as they would have done 700 years ago. But now with heating and modern bedding and with a bathroom next door.

The castle has been made more comfortable in many ways over the past 30 years, but remains an authentic 13th century building, not a characterless four- or five-star hotel. My eldest grandchild, who is five years old, was so inspired by living in it for a few days that he made at least four pencil drawings of different views of it from the outside.

The grandchildren’s fathers loved being shown how to use the small motorboat to go between the small islands and back and forth across the lake by the castle’s boatman. Carraigin Castle is near one of the lake’s shortest crossing points. One morning, our daughter followed the lead of some of the local people by taking a short swim from the steps of Kilbeg Pier and found the lake water very clean.

The owners and the staff who welcome you to the castle are very hospitable and always ready to provide advice about sights to see and things to do in the area. In Ireland, where the weather can change three or four times in the same day, it is important to have an open fire. At Carraigin, you can enjoy sitting in front of the blazing log fire in the great hall, which is another aspect of the castle conducive to great conversations.

My own special activity at the castle is to immerse myself in its history. I get up early in the morning, wander down the lush green slope to the misty lake with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other and sit and look out at the small islands in the bay. One of them, once known in Irish as “Wild Garlick Island,” was for centuries an important fortification used by the O’Flahertys to defend their lands before the arrival of the Normans in County Galway. During our last visit, two majestic swans could often be seen moving smoothly over the water with four fluffy cygnets in...

Breathtakingly beautiful. We had the greatest time together as a group of friends in the amazingly restored 800 year old castle. It has been respectfully restored to maintain its proud heritage standing tall on the shore of Lough Corrib. We were welcomed by the lovely Geraldine who was so kind and helpful throughout our stay and who also was great source of knowledge for the local area. We availed of the welcome pack and dinner which was made and delivered by Tina. The food was delicious and spectacularly presented and well worth it. There was enough to last us the whole 3 days. Make sure to book this as it’s well worth it. The castle is such a fabulous place to stay. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t imagine another place so grand and delightful to stay. The place was warm, friendly and accommodating. It had everything we needed and more. The views are absolutely fabulous no matter what time of day it is. I would love to return again soon. Ann Marie made the booking very easy for us and is a fantastic person to Deal with from start to finish. If there is one thing on your bucket list to do in Ireland, it has to be...

If you’re thinking about booking Carraigin Castle, just do it!!

Amazing experience from start to finish, easy booking, helpful check in, seamless check out, unbelievable location right on the lake with beautiful gardens and woods to walk in and the property itself is everything you would hope for when staying in your own personal castle!

We stayed as family with three generations, 7 adults and 3 kids, including 18 mth old. Kitchen is perfectly appointed by someone who clearly likes to cook, bedrooms are very comfortable, lots of dining and sitting space in great hall (including a high chair for baby) and fantastic spots throughout the castle and on the roof to enjoy the building and soak up the history!

Bookings organised through Anne, check in and out and anything during stay through Geraldine. Both very helpful, quick to respond and friendly.

We also ordered food through Tina. Excellent food for two days. Probably best gravy ever...