Ballynahinch Castle

Having stayed recently at Ballinahinch Castle, my husband asked me to write a review praising the establishment. This request instantly prompted me to write a sparkling review . Of course, it helped that I was equally as impressed with Ballinahinch Castle which is set in beautiful Connemara in Co Galway. ||From the get go, we were given a 'Céad Míle Fáilte' by the receptionist and porter who insisted on bringing our bags to our beautiful room which was spacious, spotless and comfortable. ||Our dining experience in the Owenabue restaurant was first class and made special by the staff who were professional , friendly and good humoured. ||The food was beautifully prepared and presented. It also tasted wonderful. The menu was carefully chosen with some lovely fish from nearby Atlantic offered. ||Breakfast was truly special. It was a relaxing experience and no on felt rushed. Pat managed the dining room seamlessly and chatted to people at each table in turn. ||In short, 'beimid ar ais' (we will be back) but at a time when daylight hours are longer and we can maximise our visit to take in the majestic scenery that surrounds Ballinahinch Castle. ||Maith sibh go léir.. tá sibh ag déanamh sár job!! ||I cannot wait to return.

This was our third visit in four years and it was as wonderful as ever. It's a truly magical place at Christmas time and a great place to enjoy a quiet, relaxing birthday celebration. Exceptional service from the wonderful team who work there. Also got to experience the woodland sauna - fantastic and highly recommended! We will be back :)

My wife and I stayed here as the conclusion to our Honeymoon and we couldn't have been more pleased. Our stay was amazing! The staff was friendly, the grounds were breathtaking, and the food was delicious. Be sure to check out the saunas and hike the grounds! We can't wait to come back!

The room room was spacious and well appointed. The grounds are well kept with a good range of varied walks. The view from the Owenmore Restaurant was lovely and well illuminated in the evening. The staff in both the restaurant and pub were very attentive, friendly and efficient. The food in both was very well presented and lovely.|The building was kept in good condition and was warm and welcoming as were the staff. This is the first hotel I've stayed in for a long time where your sleep was not interrupted by the coming and going of other guests which I suspect is largely down to the thickness of the hall/stairway carpets and the soft gentle closure on the doors.|I would definitely recommend a visit.

Sad to be leaving ballinahinch Castle, we had a wonderful few days. The highlight was the fabulous meal in the restaurant. One of the best I ever had. A woman michelin chef I believe. The staff here are amazing, special mention to Frank. I have motility issues and they accommodated me in ever way. The view from our room was amazing. . Room 35 by the way. . Location can't be beat. It was my second visit and i can't wait to return. . Well done to all the team.

Stayed here a few months ago and it was wonderful. A bit of a hike outside of Galway, but in such a beautiful, peaceful setting. We stayed in one of the “Luxury Rooms” and it was well worth the extra cost in our opinion. The activities manager (Kieran? Not sure on spelling) was especially kind and truly made our day.

Wonderful property. The grounds are spectacular - the woods, streams, lakes, views, and walled garden. The building is nice - especially the inside. We didn't stay here, but had a wonderful lunch. Can recommend the soup, fish, chicken sandwich, fries, and not so mushy peas. The employees were very friendly. Fishing available and great walking trails.

It’s an absolutely breathtaking hotel. So cozy and a perfect way to relax. The staff could not have been more accommodating or friendlier—we had to leave at 5 AM and they woke early to send us off with coffee and scones. We did the saunas and lake plunge one evening which was an amazing experience. Trails were perfect for runs. Also recommend checking out some of the nearby towns (Clifden etc). We’re trying to organize a group to come back next summer for fly fishing!

We enjoyed our stay at the castle in Room 5. There are no lifts here, but they have someone assist with luggage. Staff is fantastic. We enjoyed fine dining the first night which was absolutely phenomenal! We ate at the pub the next night, which is your typical pub food. I ordered the fish & chips and it was average. Beautiful property and gardens. I would stay again!

A beautiful place that takes your breath away! From the moment you enter the gates it is spectacular. The grounds are left to be beautiful but walkable with natural guidance from their talented grounds crew. The garden is a treat with all the plants, the amazing garden and fun sculptures. But it is amazing castle that will make your jaw drop and your heart practically burst with joy. The incredible staff make it the most comfortable place to stay. The main rooms, the unique guest rooms, the incredible restaurant, the warm inviting bar, the outdoor space that wrapped around the castle all said come on in and stay with us. Every single person made us feel welcome and were all so kind. Thank you for make our dream of staying in a castle come true! I know we'll find a way to visit again.

This is a wonderful hotel sitting right on the river. You can fly fish out back. The hotel looks like it is fairly modern, less than 100 years old. The inside looks like it is 300 years old with all dark wood. We didn't stay here. Rather we stopped in the bar for a Guinness after a long drive through the mountains. The bar was wonderful with an old world atmosphere. Like the rest of the hotel, the bar had dark wood and a large fireplace with a fire. On the walls were stuffed fishing trophys and other things relating to fishing.

Had researched this place before journeying to Ireland. Accommodations were fully booked, so we decided to go for High Tea (25€ pp). We drove through Connemara to Kylemore Abbey first since High Tea doesn't start till 1pm. I would highly recommend!! Unfortunately the tea was very weak and paled in comparison to even the cheapest hotel tea we'd had. But the bite sized morsels... WOW. It was such an impressive eating experience. Our favorite bite was the pork belly with black garlic gravy. We sheepishly asked for seconds and our lovely server didn't hesitate to oblige us and didn't charge us either. The dining room is also just a beautiful space with lovely views overlooking a creek and wilderness. Dessert was just as yummy! I'll definitely be back!

Amazing place in an amazing country. Absolutely top notch at every aspect. Rooms, food , bar, service, grounds etc. I can't wait to go back.

Connemara is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and there is no greater way to experience all of that beauty, than to stay in the equally gorgeous Ballynahinch Castle. Driving up to the hotel down the long driveway, you're transported to a different place and time- with gorgeous manicured grounds, views of the Twelve Bens Mountain Range and a lovely river with abundant nature hiking trails, it's hard not to fall in love. Walking in to the lobby of the castle, there is a lovely wood-burning fireplace filling the room with the amazing aroma of fresh burning wood(my favorite) and truly setting the tone for one of the most romantic hotels I have ever stayed in. We booked a Classic Riverside room as we wanted to stay in the original house that was built in the 1700s. Our room was on the top floor and was absolutely GORGEOUS and the river views were picturesque. Despite being a few hundred years old, our room was tastefully updated with high-end finishes while still maintaining that old-world charm we were looking for. Our room had a lovely sitting area in which we could enjoy the river views. The room was meticulously clean and the bed was SO comfortable with the most luxurious blankets. I must admit, my favorite part of the room was the bathroom- it was absolutely DREAMY-two large wood doors open to a huge tub that was so high up, I needed a boost to actually get in with a lovely rain shower head. I could have stayed here forever. The castle grounds have so much to see/do, you never have to leave(nor would you want or need to) with over 450 acres of scenic woods, gorgeous views, horseback riding, a river you can fish in-it's the perfect oasis. We made dinner reservations at the Owenmore Restaurant and had a lovely dinner. The restaurant serves a 3 course pre-fixe for 65 euro/pp. Given the quality of the food and the service, I felt this was a good deal. Breakfast was served in the Owenmore restaurant in the morning and it was one of the best breakfasts we had in Ireland. They have a lovely buffet full of a wide variety of items as well as a menu with items made to order. We had a wonderful stay and I cannot wait to return again. One of the most beautiful places I have had the pleasure of staying in.

I can't recommend the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel enough... The rooms are fantastic and comfortable, the service felt incredibly personal (even for only being there one night), the food was amazing, the grounds are beautiful. Plus, it's a castle! If you're lucky (like we were), one of the staff might even give you a personalized tour of the various original works of art throughout the castle. If I won the lottery I would book a month at Ballynahinch and spend my time reading in front of one of the 8 fireplaces with a pint or pot of tea. I think my favorite is the one in the pub.

Ballynahinch is like no place I have ever stayed. It is a castle but not like the traditional castle one would first think of. It is more like a manor or old gentlemen's hunting lodge. The service was mostly excellent. I say mostly because I feel the restaurant/bar service was lacking a bit in both attitude and speed. The food was average, nothing amazing that would make me excited to eat more but not complaints either. The common rooms of the castle are nice and the fires were kept alive making them a nice place to relax with a drink and a book. Our room was large and the bathroom huge. Both were decorated nicely and kept with the theme and decor of the overall hotel. My most favorite part of my stay was the property grounds. Tons of walking trails to discover. We spent both days here just walking around and exploring. There are other activities offered here as well such as shooting, biking, and fishing but we just stuck with walking. This hotel is a great place to enjoy nature and be outside.

This hotel is reallllly nice, but I do have some complaints. Enough so to deduct a star and I'm pretty liberal with the stars. Pluses: -The grounds are simply amazing; gorgeous landscapes set on a river in the woods with tons of trails and scenic views. -The bar is nice with cool bartenders. -Rooms are large if a little outdated. -The food is pretty good. Breakfast is excellent and dinner is good. -Plenty of fires going at any one time. -Free parking. -Free wi-fi, although none in the room. Minuses: -Most of the rooms are in the addition, so it's more like staying in a converted mansion than a hotel. You can see this easily from outside by the river if you compare the building materials. -Some staff were a little impatient or indifferent. When I asked the dinner hostess if I could leave a gratuity on my bill she sort of wasn't paying attention and told me to go away in nicer terms. -There was no hot water and even lukewarm water was in short supply. -The toilet would not flush unless I filled the tank with water. This takes a long time with a 12oz water glass. The toilet had a lot of mold revealed after taking the tank cover off. -The front desk lady did not apologize for complaints about the hot water or toilet.

Sweet Jesus. Is this real life or a storybook? My (now) fiancé proposed to me at the Cliffs of Mohr and then whisked me to this amazing place for one magical night stay. From the moment we drove up to this beautiful place, we were treated with attention, care and hospitality. We dined in the restaurant for dinner and breakfast. Both meals were hands down our favorites of everything we ate while in Europe. The staff are so good at their job that you don't even notice them anticipating your every need. The hotel is big and you can wander around and find interesting nooks and crannies to have a drink. Sadly, we were unable to extend our stay due to flight issues but we are counting down the days until we can return. Truly an out of this world, once in a lifetime experience. Book now!

There is so much to say about this beautiful castle ! Great accommodations , my room was incredibly awesome! I don't know if it was the comfort of the mattress or the fact that I was sleeping in a castle but I had the best sleep last night ! The beauty of the grounds and the smell of the entrance the fire place all of its rooms the piano room the glass gardens the outside garden! Everything is breathtaking ! The breakfast is included with your reservation and is top of the line ! (Ritz quality ). My bathroom was so comfortable and very modern which I was so grateful for. Toiletries, bottles of water, robe, sleepers, WI FI is included . The service is incredible! I don't need to say more see pictures!

We arrived here late at night after a rather long day and in the middle of a rain storm to boot. Nonetheless, we were checked in efficiently and meals were brought to our suite despite being long after kitchen hours. Throughout our stay, the staff was superb with just the right mix of available, cheeky, and absent. The grounds were lovely, and overlooked the river. We were able to get lost with many walks, as well as a bit of fly-fishing and golf. On some days we drove into Clifden and walked the town. Easily one of my favourite parts of Ireland, Ballynahinch is a divine location in which to reconnect with rustic yet pristine frontiers.

Ballynahinch will always have a special place in our heart. This is a magical place and I only wish we could return. The setting is gorgeous. The air is so clean and fresh and the sound of the river melodic. The staff was wonderful, kind, gracious and went out of their way for us. The food in both the pub and restaurant was incredible. The duck (cooked sous vide) was impeccable and the breakfast buffet was amazing (each day they had a roasted ham) and freshly made and delicious pastries. Our room was spacious and tastefully decorated. The housekeeping was perfect with a delightful treat left for us at the end of the day. We booked a fly fishing guide as well as a boat tour with John. Both gentlemen were so engaging to talk to and so sweet with our son. I highly recommend this beautiful little hotel.

t took 18 years (last time at the Millennium) for us to return to Ballynahinch. Too long! After our visit last week, we have vowed to return no later than two years hence. The reasons are simple and oft repeated in other reviews from global visitors: Place...Pace...People. The setting and views - from the Castle and looking back at the Castle from the banks of the hypnotizing (see for yourself and be instantly convinced) Ballynahinch River - we would classify as absolute world-class. Whatever life-speed you are on before arriving at the Castle, be prepared for a major slooowwdown upon arrival. Eighteen years on the Castle has the look of centuries-old history primped and polished in a 21st Century shine. Driving through the main gate and up the original pathway we were struck by how much the look of the grounds has changed...and not changed. The infusion of capital by relatively recent new ownership is a sort of "spinach to strengthen Popeye the Sailor" - a formidable but admittedly old Castle getting a makeover of the grounds and the addition of a wing of rooms next to the Riverside Suites. Luckily - and wisely in our opinion - nothing of the 'modern' has imposed on the visual relationship of Castle to River and Castle to backdrop of Ben Lettery. Sure this sounds trite but it is so true - words cannot do justice to the scene. You will understand after you realize you have snapped off 100-200 photos on the digital camera or smart phone/tablet. Upon arrival it's total immersion in first-class service, genuine Irish (with a smattering of the international) hospitality, understated luxury, unmatched ambiance, superb cuisine...all at an unrushed pace. This is a place where you can do nothing at all or fill your day with the extracurricular. Activities? The Ballynahinch River is considered one of the world's best fly fishing areas and welcomes the novice (guides ready to tutor) and expert angler. Want to take a shot at summiting Ben Lettery? Have at it but we strongly suggest you arrange for a guide. An aside: We thought we would give it a go this trip over...on our own...and discovered after about 10 minutes in and surrounded by bog country that were in over our heads. In fact, my wife could very well have been in that condition; she made a misstep that found her stuck in the quicksand-like mire within seconds. Quick leg extraction from said bog and self-attempted climb aborted! We all had a good laugh about it back at the Castle but in all seriousness the bog is a visually-deceptive piece of muddy, mucky, slimy, slippery real estate. Repeat: Get a guide. Accolades for place, pace and space have to begin at the top with GM Patrick O'Flaherty. It must say something about the fellow when he has been at the command controls for more than the 18 years we have known him. He has a remarkable staff-blend of seasoned and understudy. We opine one of the overriding philosophies espoused by and expected of the staff is "be able to anticipate a guest's wants and needs...without showing it." And ALWAYS present the smile that says, "YES...now, what was your question?" demeanor. You can dine Castle Pub casual or more linen napkin mode in the Owenmore dining room. For the couple-centric an absolute must request is to be seated at Tables 1-4 at the window overlooking the river. That window possesses some sort of magic - a visual karma - and we suggest you make the request at the same time as your room reservation. Yes, 18 years away was too wide of a gap. What we rediscovered was a newly-polished gem, committed to a tradition of hospitality excellence, quintessential ambiance...AND to an upkeep that will take it well into the 21st Century. Bravo to all!

Wow... just wow. This was my first castle hotel, but I've stayed at my fair share of nice hotels. This place is incredibly gorgeous and comfortable. We stayed here one night during an eight-night trip around the southern portion of Ireland. We stayed mostly at B&B's during the trip, so this was a real treat. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking, and so is the castle itself. The rooms are so much more spacious than any other European hotel, and the beds were amazingly comfortable. It was the best sleep and best shower I had the entire time we were in Ireland. They have a computer in the library, which was awesome. It was free, so I was able to check in back home. I also made one phone call back home and they didn't even charge us for it! We ate lunch at the bar, and it was good. Not much to choose from, but I had the egg salad sandwich and it hit the spot. We ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant; also very good. Expensive though! I had lamb - felt so guilty eating it, but it was so delicious at the same time. Later that night, we had some beers at the bar. We were able to take them into the piano room, where there were comfy couches to sit on. The hotel is in a very remote area, but a short drive to Clifden. There were some cute and unique shops over there and gave us something to do during the day. I obviously highly recommend staying here. The only drawback is that they do not have an elevator. We were on the fourth floor, which I believe is the highest floor. It definitely helped that the nice staff took our bags up for us though!

Accommodation and food are fantastic. A class act in the finest Irish fashion. Our one concern--indeed one that colored the entire experience--was our waiter at dinner. We made dinner reservations when booking the rooms nearly two months in advance. In our travel haze, we sat down to dinner and did not realize that the restaurant has a set, five-course menu (€65 per person). We weren't that hungry, and asked our waiter if there were other options. Our waiter, although somewhat helpful in offering the bar menu on account of our stuffed stomaches, engaged us with a rude and sarcastic air. How unfortunate. Having stayed at Ballynahinch before (without eating dinner in the restaurant), I was excited to return. Yet being shamed in front of other guests for making an honest mistake left a sour taste. To boot, the waiter (American) committed a cultural faux pas that added insult to the injury, asking whether she could "be so forward as to ask for a tip." I might return, but I won't forget this unfortunate and easily-mitigated situation.

Perfection. Wonderful & attentive staff, beautiful rooms, even more beautiful grounds, real fires (the only fireplaces we saw lit in Ireland), and truly a memorable experience. Oh, and the food is great too! We lucked out with a sunny day while we were there, but even if it were raining it would still be a great place to be indoors. There are fireplaces, lounges, a sun room, and the actual guest rooms (we stayed in the original building) are quite large and comfortable too. We ate dinner in the Castle Pub, which is a very cool spot and I think more fun and warm than the fancy restaurant. Also a good deal less expensive which is how we ended up there :) I got the vegetarian entree, which was a tomato basil gnocchi. This was the same vegetarian entree served in the fancy restaurant - I'm guessing it's the same exact chefs preparing dishes for the pub and restaurant so if you don't need a 3 course meal, head to the pub! Our entrees came with the bread basket, and 2 of the 3 breads were fantastic. My gnocchi was great - warm, comforting, and very filling. My husband got the Irish Pork Belly with mashed potatoes and really liked it. We ate breakfast in the restaurant (included with the room rate) and it was one of the best breakfasts we had in Ireland. The eggs are made to order, there are delicious cuts of cheese on the buffet (including a garlic goat cheese that was out of this world), and there is fresh cut fruit (pineapple!) as well. We had a truly wonderful and memorable stay here, I highly recommend it!

Amazing Hotel! As one whose Been able to stay at very nice places around the country, this would rank as one of my Top 5 Favorite Places. Although remotely set, the castle is just about 10km from Clifden (a delightful little town with shopping and restaurants) and offers some gorgeous views and grounds. Situated on 1500 acres, the website pictures do not overstate how beautiful it is. There are also plenty of activities to do in the area within 20 minute drive. Our room overlooking the river was quite large, nice high ceilings, canopy bed, large bathroom, and everything was nicely decorated (this decade!) Service and friendliness were impeccable. They even provided us an electricity converter and washed some of our clothes for 10 euros. The only complaint is that the chairs in the pub were too uncomfortable to sit in for more than one Guiness, but that helped keep our bar tab down. However, the on-site restaurant is fantastic for dinner. They offer a complimentary full breakfast which can be taken downstairs or by room service, and there is even complimentary tea or coffee delivered to your room anytime. This is a magnificent hotel and certainly one of the finest facilities in all or Ireland.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is found in a lovely setting and you can get a fine pint in the bar. All in all, it's a pleasant place to stop. Manor houses aren't really my kind of thing, but if you like them, then this will fit the bill.

What a great place. I was there with a small tour and all 25 of us loved this place. The accommodations are first rate, the service excellent and the food outstanding. The castle is in the Connemara countryside. It is also a fishery and will make arrangements for fly fishing in its river and lake. While I was walking along the river I could hear salmon jumping. I would love to return. The only down side is that the dinner service was a bit slow. But the food was so good, we didn't mind.

All around a great experience. The rooms were great, the pub was great and breakfast was great as well. The grounds were beautiful and overlooked a river where you could fish or just take a nice walk.