13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland

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Photo gallery for 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland

A castle-like building with a prominent entrance, arched windows, and a flag on top.
A cozy attic bedroom with a sloped ceiling, a bed, a dresser, a desk with a computer, and a window with a view.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, sofa, dining table set with wine glasses and oranges, and a television.
A view through a gothic arch window overlooking a lake surrounded by greenery.
A stone staircase leading to a white building with arched windows.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Cosy up by the fire
    Unwind by the fireplace-a top-rated spot for cosy moments.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available
  • Fireplace
The current price is NZ$2,779
NZ$926 per night
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 9 Nov

Explore the area

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Headford,, County Galway
  • Place, Claregalway Castle
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Galway
    ‪38 min drive‬
  • Place, Eyre Square
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 7

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
The current price is NZ$2,779
NZ$926 per night
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 9 Nov

Similar properties

local ruins
Lakeside Country Cottage.
Headford
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 45 reviews
The price is NZ$2,899
NZ$580 per night
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 7 April 2027
Lakeside Country Cottage.

Frequently asked questions

Is 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland?

As of 3 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland on 6 November 2026 start from NZ$2,779, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland located?

Situated on a lake, this castle is within 9 miles (15 km) of Shanbally Marina, Ballycurrin Lighthouse and Lough Hacket. Lough Lee and Hackett Castle are also within 12 miles (20 km).

13th Century Lakeside Castle in 7 Acres of Park and Woodland Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 89 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location

We had an amazing visit at this very peaceful quiet castle. It’s located on a lake which makes for great photos and time with family
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful castle in a beautiful setting made for beautiful family memories 😊

We had a lovely time staying at the castle and enjoying the Irish countryside!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is one of the most incredible places I have ever stayed. My kids loved the tower and walking around the top of the castle. The grounds, the history, and the hosts were all fantastic! We were set up with great accommodations, recommendations for activities in the area, and even a catered meal to be provided on check-in.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carraigin Castle

What an incredible place to call home for a few days! We were so thrilled by every last detail of the castle and property. There is so much to explore in the area as well. I very highly recommended the Carraigin Castle experience!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Destination Unto Itself

We had a delightful visit at the Castle for our last 5 days in Ireland. The fairytale setting was a perfect way to end our vacation! I'm so glad we planned a day to just enjoy the property. An experience, we'll never forget!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing, simply amazing. Rent this Castle for an experience of a lifetime. Our family of 9 absolutely loved it. Take advantage of the offer to have a welcome meal prepared. It seemed expensive for the welcome meal at first glance but lasted us for days, so much delicious food.Do it, stay here !
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Carraigin Castle was a dream come true for my 2 boys! Beautiful property, amazing lake views,From the moment we booked, we had excellent communication with Annemarie and the many other people that help this location flow. The property manager met us upon checkin at the Castle and showed up some of the finer details of how to run the castle. We opted to pay extra and have Tina cook us a meal and it was fantastic! Easily 3 meals worth of food! She also provided fresh scones with butter & homemade jam, fruit, and treats for the boys.The property is well maintained and was very clean upon check in. That being said, it is a 12th century castle, so don't be surprised to see some dust in the corners or a cobweb here or there. Having a laundry room was great and the kitchen had all the amenities one would need- including microwave, dishwasher, and ninja air fryer! Tea & instant coffee were provided. There is central heating, but expect to pay the utilities difference. We had a rainy day while we were there & really enjoyed the fire and board games provided. The pictures can leave you guessing a bit, so I highly recommend going to YouTube and searching for Carraigin Castle for a full tour & history a previous patron has posted. It helped us choose our bedrooms before we arrived. Also, if you're driving, know that the local roads from Headford are very narrow. Leave extra time to get there & take your time!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Birthday Location EVER!!

Carraigin Castle is magical. One night in and I was looking to book again for next year!! Warm and cosy with all manner of nooks and crannies to explore and escape to. Absolutely loved it.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

AMAZING castle stay

What an incredible stay!!! Very authentic--loved to see all the work and effort that went into lovingly restoring this castle. We had an amazing stay. The grounds are also amazing as is the opportunity to go out on Lake. The dinner ( that you can order) the first night is so incredible and so generous we ate from it for days afterwords. It was a dream vacation for my 60th birthday in the land of my birth and it was worth every penny! An excellent stay for grownups and younger ones alike!!!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Christmas Trip

We had a fabulous time at Carraigin Castle. This was our family trip to Ireland. The castle was beautiful it was even decorated with Christmas decorations, including a tree! The history of this building is fascinating. A lovely relaxing time was shared by the entire family!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing restored castle

So glad the owners had the vision and fortitude to restore this castle from crumbling ruins to what it is today, and allow others to experience staying in an actual private castle. The grounds and view of the lake (especially from the parapets) were beautiful! Many interesting staircases, doors, books and sunlit window seats. The large fireplace and dining table were great for gathering around. Definitely a memorable stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Staying at Carraigin Castle was a magical experience for our party of 7 adults and two young girls. To see the look of wonderment on their faces as they arrived at the castle and explored the interior and grounds was why we booked this as part of our family trip to Ireland. My wife, adult son and I arrived about an hour early from our drive over from Dublin, and we were warmly greeted by Annmarie, our host, who was visiting her son in the area. She was weeding the rose garden but stopped to show us around the grounds and took us down to the shores of Lough Corrib, explaining how they landscaped the gentle slope down to shore. She invited us in to see the first floor, even though the cleaning crew was not quite done. We then took our leave to pick up a few things at the Tesco supermarket in Headford, which is about 15 minutes away. Like so many other reviewer’s recommendations, we scheduled a catered dinner through Tina Matthews. She is a lovely lady and her food preparation of 2 roasted chickens and poached salmon with a variety of vegetables (and the best gravy) was wonderful. That meal fed us a couple of nights later as well. The property manager, Geraldine, was so nice during our check in, showing us the details of the castle, and for the checkout as well. Our grandchildren loved going up to the parapet and the tower for the stunning views. We used this location as a base for exploring Galway, Westport, and a bit of the Connemara region. We will remember this stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Castle

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The castle and grounds are even better than the photos. It was chilly enough to use the fireplace which added to the fun. Take advantage of Tina's prepared meal for your first night. We also went out on the lake with David. Another great experience. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical place

What a joy it was for our family to stay in Carraigin Castle. The grandchildren loved the "cell" bedrooms, and we all loved the great room with its giant fireplace. From the charming reading nooks, we looked out on the lake or the fields with sheep. Tina provided delicious meals, while David gave us an entertaining boat ride! The owners were also so helpful, with tips on places to visit. Highly recommended!
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Staying in this unique council was an enjoyable experience for the whole family. The grounds were beautiful. We took lots of family pictures and enjoyed the countryside. It was the perfect location to venture out on day trips.Our first night we had a lovely meal catered by Tina. Way too much food but what a wonderful treat! She was able to cater to our mini dietary restrictions and made lots of homemade scones and jams, etc. for us.The owner, AnnMarie was very good at promptly corresponding and replying to our questions.Thank you so much for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An Ideal and Dream Come True Visit

Perfection is just one word to describe our stay! Others would be superb accommodations, wonderful scenery, delightful local flavor, and superior guest relations! Geraldine Egan is a wonderful manager and made us feel right at home. She was thoughtful and considerate and took care of us in splendid fashion. The meal awaiting us upon our arrival was a fabulous spread prepared by the talented Tina Matthews. The entire visit was such a great experience, one that made our hearts smile.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything we hoped for!

We can't say enough about our experience with the host, her staff, and the property. We booked the castle six months in advance and Annemarie was available to promptly assist the entire time. Communication was easy and friendly. We had issues with a flight cancellation, which caused us to miss out on an entire day of our Ireland trip. Annmarie asked us for a grocery list and had the food waiting for us at the castle. The castle was lovely! It was such a unique accommodation experience. We were sad to leave! Many thanks to Geradline (housekeeper), her husband, and David Scully (boatman) for their hospitality! Please book this castle property! You won't regret it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique and beautiful stay

It's been a few weeks since we returned from Ireland, and we still can't get over it. We stayed at the castle for a week, and it was a wonderful home base for day trips to all of southwest Ireland. My only wish is that we had reserved a day to just hang out at the castle and enjoy it before heading home. The owners were responsive and clearly take pride in their property, Geraldine the housekeeper was lovely (as was Bob the dog who made a welcome appearance), the boat guide (whose name I just forgot), and we enjoyed the dinner from Tina. However, we felt bad needing to throw away so many leftovers, so perhaps try to request LESS food unless you know that you'll be around for leftovers. Next time I'd also bring a hammock to hang and laze in the amazing forest area. We didn't realize how beautiful the total setting is for the castle, with landscaping, forests, and a giant lake. 10/10 would recommend staying here.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tayler - Mekayla Birthday Extravaganza

What a spectacular experience we had. It was agreed upon by our group, that Carraigin Castle holds a very unique, inviting, and warm energy. The history and design was exactly what we hoped for, with it being most of our 1st trips to the Irish countryside. The castle held 10 people (1 couple and 8 single adults) comfortably to sleep, and a dinner party of 21 people total. Geraldine was quite responsive and delightful, as well as Tina, who provided all the catering for the dinner. Our only wish is that we had more time to stay! We hope to return in the summer at some point, as the grounds were equally as enchanting! To have an opportunity to use the boat on the lake would be a dream. Highly recommend it if the time of year allows it. Overall, everyone was extremely pleased with this castle. It was just the right amount of charm in every way.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carraigin Castle

The Carraigin Castle and grounds are a special place. Once in ruins, the new owner lovingly and meticulously restored the Castle to its original glory (and added running water and electricity). Our party of ten (ages 9-78) enjoyed our stay immensely. The owners are very hospitable and shared with us the history of the site. As descendants of George Staunton on my mother's side, the time at the Castle and at Cargin Cemetery held special meaning for us. Geraldine is a delightful housekeeper. We recommend that you retain Tina to cater your first meal (an enormous feast) as the leftovers (along with soda bread, scones and fruit) will fill your party for several days. We would have liked to take the boat out onto Lough Corrib but some flight cancellations affected our opportunity to use the boat. The white castle, verdant green landscaping, and the reflection of the cloudy, blue sky on the lake is beautiful and peaceful. We hope to return again for a longer stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
"We stayed in a real castle in Ireland for a whole week!" That will be the answer that our grandchildren will give to the annual question after summer break that teachers always ask: "Did you do anything fun last summer?" It was magical. A real children's paradise.With an extended family of 6 adults and 4 children, there was plenty of room for everyone. The grand hall is amazing with a long table for dining, a huge hearth, and sectional sofas for sitting to enjoy a cozy fire. When I saw that the kids were playing "Twister", I thought that someone had packed it along, but it came from a well stocked cabinet of games for children.The castle itself is nicely located near Headford and Galway. We made day trips to many attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, which has an amazing new visitor's center.We are grateful to Annmarie and Christopher Murphy for restoring the castle to its magnificent condition. They had the vision to see what could be reborn from a ruin and the passion to see it through. From the castle's guestbook one can see that it has delighted generations of guests.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful site and lovely people

Carraigin Castle: Our family stayed one week at the castle and we absolutely loved the premises with the access to the lake and the stunning view! Annemarie had already provided us with useful informations about what not to miss during our stay in advance via email so that we were well prepared. When we arrived Geraldine gave us a warm welcome and showed us around in the castle explaining everything we needed to know, she also responded quickly to the questions we had during our stay. Since we read so much praise about Tina‘s food we asked her to cater for us on the first evening - and it was amazing! Some of the dishes lasted several days - and even then they were as tasty as on the first day! Thanks to David‘s perfect introduction to the boat we were able to drive around on the lake which we totally enjoyed. We also received additional great advice from his family and Tina where to go while being in this part of Ireland so that we saw some impressive places away from the crowds. Therefore thanks to everyone involved!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A gift from a true Templar.

I want to let everyone know who thinks of not staying at this 13th Century Grand Norman Castle, you're out of your mind! My family stayed a few days and loved the great people, Geraldine, JT, and David. They were the best. They were there at anytime with the best Irish smiles and hospitality. Well, the Castle is AMAZING!! The Castle is absolutely built to Norman Architectural plans, and there are treasures everywhere in the construction, and with the Deco inside. Throughout the Castle, many treasures are awaiting your stay! Our family loved every minute and every experience that we had and would of stayed longer, but this is a place that everyone should visit. I Tip My "Texan Hat" to those who are involved in letting my family stay. The memories built there together will out live any other family adventures. I would tell you more, but I need to book another stay! Before you:) Thank you to Geraldine, JT, and David!!! see you soon, hopefully. Thank you JM-Sir, you are a great MAN!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even Better Than We Could Have Hoped!

Everything about our castle experience exceeded expectations. The beautiful pictures don't do the property justice. The view in every direction is picturesque, the grounds are beautifully maintained, and the interior was a unique delight. Geraldine gave us a warm welcome with a tour and provided nibbles (bread, fruit, crackers) that lasted for days. We took the advice of other reviews and had our first night catered by Tina which provided not only a delicious meal, but leftovers for days, and after that, still enough to make ourselves a stew. David gave us a tour of the lake on the fishing boat that is provided. Like everyone we encountered, he was friendly and informative. The interior was plenty spacious for our group of 8. There are a total of ten beds with 4 of them being queens (?) and very comfortable. My youngest daughter loved the small room in the "tower." Any questions or issues that came up were handled promptly (Geraldine lives close by). Everyone was delighted with our stay. I can't say enough good things about the experience!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023