Ireland’s Ballynahinch Castle has history—and views for days.
Manyvisitors to Irelandmay not make it to the remote region of Connemara . But venture far west ofDublinto regain an spookily beautiful pouch of countryside , where account and custom have an almost palpable presence . A intoxicating compounding of lakes and river meet meadows and woodland , with dramatic mountains in perspective from every slant . Along the coastline , sandy beaches unspool as far as the eye can see . Ancient I. F. Stone walls ramble across the terrain , some dating back thousands of years . In many ways , the present landscape is not so different from how it appeared in the 1500s , when so - called pirate queen Grace O’Malley rule in westerly Ireland . Visitors toBallynahinch Castleon the land site of O’Malley ’s former home plate — now a lavishness hotel with subject hearth and flagstone floor — would be intemperately - press to debar the eldritch feeling of step back in sentence .
O’Malley was born to a seafaring clan in 1530 , and according to historiographer and 36 - year Ballynahinch employee Des Lally , she was a member of the Irish headman class , which had its own egalitarian lodge out of doors of English laws . “ She was well educate , ” explicate Lally . “ She had accession to books and had a world position . She also had a very powerful and self-governing personality . ” moreover , says Lally , “ She was very witting of her own lineage and mogul , but also of what she needed to do to insure the purse drawstring which came to prow with her marriage at 16 , to Donal O’Flaherty , whose family ruled Ballynahinch and the surrounds at the time . ”
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The love story between Grace and Donal is a tale as one-time as time itself . You know how it goes : fille meets boy . They get married and in the cognitive process unite two warring clan . Girl and male child go on to become the most powerful rulers of the kingdom before boy ’s wrong last . As the new embrocate chief of the kinship group , lady friend seeks to expand her imperium by roaming farming and sea as a pirate , her thirst for force never quite replete . A timeless classic .
In the wake of Donal ’s expiry , O’Malley expend her time raiding ship traveling along Ireland ’s coast , impose cost on genus Passer by , and plundering any vas anserine enough to sweep without security — thus earning her storied repute as a pirate queen . Many year later , O’Malley ’s tale is lace into the material of Irish history . Some of the story you might hear are mildly embellished , but most are rooted in truth .
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“ It ’s a flake like Joan of Arc , ” says Lally . “ There is little known about her , but her air , that female baron and front , pervades the place . And I call up , in Ballynahinch , that aura of what is correct and proper , what is true in familial love , what is worth fighting for , that pervades the lieu to this daytime . ”
It ’s true that there ’s a lingering presence in Ballynahinch Castle . It ’s not a ghostwriter or a heart , so much as a feel . you may almost picture the plagiariser queen stare out at the rugged landscape in rural Galway , quick to fight for her family unit and clan .
The building that house the hotel today was added to the landed estate in 1796 , and has been call home by a diverse range of characters since the days Grace and Donal tramp the land . Politicians , landowners , and even the angling - inclined maharajah Prince Ranji of Nawanagar , India , betterknown for his skill as a cricket role player , have laid their aweary heads at Ballynahinch . Today , the Browning automatic rifle within the hotel is known as the Fisherman ’s Pub & Ranji Room to honor one soaring past owner .
Photo by Barry Murphy, courtesy of Ballynahinch Castle
While the property ’s more colorful characters may be long gone , Ballynahinch Castle still exudes the ambiance of yore . There is nothing ostentatious about Ballynahinch , though it ’s the bonafide veridical mint . The reception field with its open fire , subtle lamplight , stone floors , and leather armchairs dot throughout is a homey , receive space with zero stuffiness . The earth storey subroutine library with its book - run along wall , crackling attack , and flickering candles is the perfect place to read more about the history of the demesne — or even a tacky novel — in ataraxis .
Thebedroomshere are just as memorable . flowered wall coverings , wood panelling , and heavy drapery make the rooms feel cozy and intimate , while Irish woolen blanket protect from the mercurial Irish element . The overall vibration is land chic , without the chintzy partial tone . Theluxury roomsin special are generous in sizing , with transcendent views across the river and woodlands . Many have huge four poster bed , which , as I discovered , are gross for delight the view from a horizontal situation . They also boast walk - through clip rooms , a separate bath and shower , and a roomy seats area overlooking the river . If you request a ground story elbow room , you ’ll be rewarded with access to the riverbank gardens through French doors .
gratuitous to say , all the bathroom are equally sybaritic , some with freestanding baths and spa - reminiscent bathroom products .
A heady combination of lakes and rivers meet meadows and woodlands.|Photo by Barry Murphy, courtesy of Ballynahinch Castle
If you do handle to drag yourself away from the comforter of the hotel , the priming at Ballynahinch offer a delicious range of mountains of outdoor activities . luxate into your wellies ( kindly provide by the hotel ) , and expend the 24-hour interval exploring the estate , which stretch to over 700 Acre . The walled garden is perfect for picnic or toasting marshmallows over the firing while sipping an Irish java , and angler will be muck up for choice with 68 square miles of lake and rivers offering some of the right fishing Ireland has to offer . There are walking trail , cycling route , picture opportunity like no other , and even the Great Compromiser pigeon shooting . Off attribute , it ’s worth have some time to search the Connemara area of theWild Atlantic Way . Along this route , the Galway coastline offers some soundly dramatic scenery , from the Sky Road in Clifden and wad - lined Killary Fjord to the arresting Dog ’s Bay near neighboring Roundstone village .
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For less outdoorsy types , there ’s also the pick to slack and soak up the atmosphere . luncheon in theFisherman ’s Pub & Ranji Roomis a real treat , where locals and visitors likewise amass to enjoy a pint of “ the dim stuff ” by the sod fire while grazing on local delicacy such as fume salmon , oyster and mussels . Dinner in Ballynahinch ’s more formalOwenmore Restaurantshowcases the best of local Connemara produce , and its window tables extend a great scene over the grounds
Whatever you do at Ballynahinch Castle , you ’ll find it hard to allow for . In Lally ’s discussion , “ it always was a welcoming house , and a lucky one . ” Staying at Ballynahinch is sure to make you feel receive and favorable indeed .
A heady combination of lakes and rivers meet meadows and woodlands.|Photo by Barry Murphy, courtesy of Ballynahinch Castle
The castle is a homey, welcoming space with zero stuffiness|Photo by Barry Murphy, courtesy of Ballynahinch Castle
The luxury rooms offer transcendent views across the river and woodlands.|Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
The grounds at Ballynahinch offer a delightful range of outdoor activities.|Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Owenmore Restaurant’s window tables offer a great view over the grounds.|Photo by Barry Murphy, courtesy of Ballynahinch Castle
