View from the South
Location: Burren, County Clare, Ireland, Europe (less than an hour from Shannon Airport and to the South of G)
Accommodations: Castle, 6 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1.5+ Baths (Sleeps 8)
Keywords: historic, historic house,castle, medieval, Atlantic, Burren, Clare, Galway, Shannon,
The tower house is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the West of Ireland, the Burren part of County Clare to the South of Galway Bay. County Clare is a peninsula midway between Kerry and Connemara with the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Cliffs of Moher to the West, and the River Shannon as the boundary to the East.
The Burren is a protected landscape, famous for the beauty of the flowers in the limestone hills and the wealth of archaeology. A densely planted wood of deciduous trees marks one end of the 5 acre property. The landscape as seen from the roof of the castle is a pattern of small fields bounded by hedgerows that come into blossom in the early summer. Lakes that change in size with the seasons surround the castle.
Horses, cattle and donkeys graze nearby. Wild irises grow along a stream that makes a gentle sound as it tumbles through some stones, a sound that would have been heard in the centuries past as the Tower House was being built, a time before the New World was discovered by Europeans. The 5 acres of land around the tower house is roughly grazed by a horse and a donkey that belong to a neighbouring farmer.
The tower house stand on a small hill above and about 20 metres in from the adjacent road.A car parking space for about 6 cars is in off the road and there is a gate between the road and the parking space which is down hill from the castle.
The Atlantic Coast of the Burren is 45 minutes away in several directions, and day trips to the Aran islands can be easily arranged. Shark fishing boat trips can be arranged and pony trecking, and a day can be rounded off with an evening listening to quality traditional music of County Clare in one of the many traditional pubs.
The rich archaeology consists of prehistoric stone forts, dolmens, wedge tombs, and other stone enclosures,medieval churches and castles which provide walking and driving expeditions throughout the Burren.
The coast road offers spectacular views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. The famous Cliffs of Moher are bounded by the beach at Fanore and Lahinch where surfing, swimming and a lifeguard service are available during the summer.
The small villages provide a variety of tearooms and pubs for a bite of lunch. Throughout the year on Fridays there is a street market in Ennis where organic local food and vegetables can be found.
For those who wish to stretch their legs the day might start with a climb of Mullaghmore to view the limestone rock terrain and flowers close at hand. An afternoons excursion to Caher Commaun, one of the many prehistoric stone forts that survive in the Burren could be followed by a stop at a pub overlooking the Carron Vally and then a leisurely drive along Liscannor Bay.
You may arrange with our housekeeper to prepare dinner for you in the evening, using locally sourced food of the best Burren quality. in this case you might purchase an interesting bottle of wine and an antiquarian book at Patrick Egan's pub and shop in Liscannor. You could stop in Ennistymon at the Courthouse art gallery and take a stroll through the small hilly town, with its river that cascades through the town.
The well known links golf course of Lahinch is worth a visit together with a stroll along the promenade to watch the surfers in their wetsuits who look like seals as they wade out into the Atlantic breakers of Liscannor Bay through out the year.
Further South and close to Loop Head is the Doonbeg golf course, and the lighthouse that marks the start of the Shannon Estuary.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Lake View
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Other Amenities
- Half a millenium of history is present in this late medieval Tower House, now an oasis of wartmh and tranquility. Built in the 15th century careful attention has been paid to retaining all its original features and style, yet with the comforts of the 21st century . It works very well for a family with teenage children or a multi generational family experience that will be memorable.
- Activities
- Golf
- Shopping
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Sightseeing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Spelunking
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- The castle is surrounded by fields with grazing animals and the Burren is renowned for the juxtaposition of arctic and mediterranean flowers. Guests come from far and wide to experience the beauty and wonder of Ballyportry Castle and the sense of Gaelic Ireland in the 15th and 16th centuries. With expert guides you can learn about the local culture and the ongoing conservation of the Burren and the Aran islands, 'Eco consciousness' is now main stream and so is the growing sense of the relationship between the generations before us, for example with the earth and how our connection with it works. Dinner can be cooked and served to you on the night that you arrive. The best of traditional Irish musicians can play traditional music for you if arranged in advance of your visit. A stay in a limestone 15th century towerhouse in a limestone landscape is a wonderful way to connect urban children, who are often alienated from nature and wilderness , with times beyond our own
Rate Details (In Euros)
Weekly rate September - May:from Euro 1600 Weekly rate May- June: from Euro 2200 Weekly rate July /August from Euro 2400 A deposit for energy and any breakages and bank charges is needed with any booking other rates available for shorter or longer periods
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1999
Ballyportry is a convivial and happy house and we imagine it to have been this way when it was built 500 years ago.The name translates as The Place of the Harpists. It is an ongoing conservation project, a work which continues. Our experience as an architect and an archaeologist has enabled us to care and restore this tower house in a well informed way. The intention is that this will be in use in another 200 years time as a house that is lived in and appreciated by guests and that they become excited by and about late medieval Gaelic Ireland.
Why the Owner Chose Burren
The Burren is a unique and beautiful landscape in ireland that is widely considered to be of European importance, and this is one of the finest examples of a 15th century Tower house(castle), built before Columbus sailed for the New World.
The Unique Benefits of this Castle
You enter into a kitchen sitting room with a huge fireplace,a stone coffee table, a turf burning stove and well stocked bookshelves. There is good quality crockery and some serving dishes made in the local pottery. The fridge freezer and dishwasher and a large 6 burner gas range for cooking are the 20th century contribution to comfortable rustic living. The underfloor heating and the thick limestone walls retain the heat well. The tower house is furnished in an authentic way using fabrics in keeping with the late 15th century. The sheets and pillowcases are of linen, and wool blankets complete the dressing of the beds. All the furnishings reflect the time of late medieval Ireland, a time of hospitality, song, and poetry in Gaelic tower houses.From the entrance a winding stone staircase leads up 6 floors to the bedrooms and the impressive Great Hall at the top of the Tower House. An 6 meter high ceiling of exposed oak roof trusses, an open fireplace, couches and a table for dining. There is a second kitchen with dishwasher, fridge, and electric cooker that serve the Great Hall. Please note that the wonderful curving late medieval stone staircase may not suit small children of those with walking disabilities.
Property Photos
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- View from the South - Lake View, Vacation Rental, Near Restaurants and Sightseeing, In Burren - Ireland
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- View from the stream - Lake View, Vacation Rental, Near Restaurants and Sightseeing, In Burren - Ireland
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- Downstairs Kitchen - Lake View, Vacation Rental, Near Restaurants and Sightseeing, In Burren - Ireland
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- Bedroom
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #347375
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Date last modified - Monday, June 27, 2011
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