Entire home

Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City

Photo gallery for Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City

A rustic dining room with stone walls, a wooden table set with food, and candles.
A tall, weathered tower with three illuminated windows, set against a starry night sky.
A tall, narrow tower with a weathered stone exterior, surrounded by greenery and a clear sky.
A tower-like structure surrounded by trees and a body of water.
A stone-walled hallway with a wooden door, a small table with a bowl, and a patterned rug on the floor.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Endless exploration awaits
    Guests love the top-rated location, steps from iconic landmarks and sights.

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available
  • Terrace

Explore the area

View map
Galway, Galway
  • Place, Cooper's Hill Livery
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Galway Shopping Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Galway
    ‪8 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 2 Double Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Galway

Galway is home to this holiday home. Padraic O'Conaire Statue and Galway Cathedral are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Oughterard District Bog Natural Heritage Area and Lough Atalia. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Galway Greyhound Stadium or Pearse Stadium.
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Map
Galway, Galway

What's nearby

  • Cooper's Hill Livery - 5 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Planet Entertainment Centre - 7 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Galway Shopping Center - 7 min drive - 4.1 km
  • University of Galway - 8 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Eyre Square - 10 min drive - 5.1 km

Getting around

  • Galway Station - 14 min drive
  • Shannon (SNN) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sophie’s Restaurant and Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Radisson Red Galway - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Tribes Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Supermac's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 10 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City?

As of 9 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City on 11 January 2027 start from NZ$1,039, 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 Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ballindooley Castle 10 minutes to Galway City located?

Situated in Galway, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Planet Entertainment Centre, Galway City Karting and Bohermore’s Victorian Cemetery. Galway Shopping Center and Cooper's Hill Livery are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an amazing experience in Ireland! My High School girlfriends and I wanted to have a 'castle stay' while visiting Ireland together & this was wonderful. We had communication all day from our host so he could walk us through the tour over the phone. He responded immediately to my updates. He had such great information about the castle & I liked doing it over the phone so we had the space to ourselves. It is a castle though, as he reminded me, so don't go in there thinking it's a hotel. It is a real castle so don't expect a Hilton. It has great showers & updated baths. Beds are good with clean linens & the living room furniture is comfortable. I thought it was a very cool stay! We will remember it forever.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome host, easy to converse with. Fun facts at check in as well.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Barry is wonderful and the virtual tour was great! Highlights were of course the castle itself, but also the fireplace and laundry :)
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
We vacationed to Ireland for a proper castle stay and Balendoolie exceeded our family's expectations.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time. A very cool experience!!! Our host gave us a FaceTime tour and was super knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming! Thank you for this truly unforgettable experience!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a very different experience —fine for a one night stay. Make sure that you speak with the owner about how to turn on the hot water (it’s on a heater)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home! Very unique, once in a life time! Barry was super easy to communicate with.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An absolutely magical stay. When even your teenage and adult kids are wowed by your accommodations, you know you have done well. Staying at Ballindooley Castle makes you feel like the Lords and Ladies of Galway - with the perfect mix of ancient history and modern convenience. The property is a short drive or cab ride into the wonderful city of Galway (which has a large parking deck downtown). But you may not even want to leave your castle which has stunning views from the roof. Be sure to catch the sunrise and/or sunset. And dining in the Great Hall is a must. Explore the grounds and experience every room in your temporary manor. Barry is an exceptional host, very communicative, and happy to provide you with a video tour, complete with historical anecdotes, upon your arrival. One word of caution - the spiral staircase was made to repel invaders (not for large suitcases). We brought in smaller bags with only what we needed for the stay. If you don't like ancient staircases, plan on staying in the first-floor bedroom. Would certainly return to Ballindooley again and again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 August 2026
Super guests, a good tip about suitcases
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay in Ballindooley Castle was fabulous, exciting, historical and educational. Highly recommend the castle stay. Barry, our host, was very communicative and available. The castle has all the amenities needed and plenty of space and we enjoyed exploring every room and its history. Cozy and would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
This is a lovely place, however; we were unable to stay due to the front lock not working. It was stuck in the lock position and we could not close the door. The three of us each spent about 45 minutes trying to fix it so we could close the door. We tried calling the owner but at 9 or so at night were unable to get in touch. By about 9:45 we decided we needed to go to another hotel due to safety. The owner called us after 10 pm but we had already checked in. We are still trying to get our money back from this very expensive place that we were unable to use. Also, there was garbage from the last people who stayed there still in the laundry room.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Barry was an absolutely wonderful host. He provided us with a walkthrough and history lesson about the castle. My children had a blast exploring everything and even playing the hardest game of hide and seek you can imagine. We would absolutely stay here again and hope we can sometime in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Ballindooley Castle

This place was an amazing experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Castle

It was a once in a lifetime stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2025
A really great guest. The castle is meant to be a unique experience for a few days, glad people are enjoying it.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A real castle!

Host was very communicative and left a lovely gift basket for us when we arrived. It's a true castle so don't expect modern luxury, but there's much to explore and a lot of history. Our group enjoyed our stay and learning about the previous occupants.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

USA Tourist

Most Authentic Place I've ever stayed, with all the modern conveniences for comfort. We had a blast !!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Incredible piece of history!

Our party of 6 stayed in this fabulous castle lovingly cared for by an exceptional host. Barry welcomed us into this amazing piece of 1400's history, and we loved every moment. If you get a chance to
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

It's your own castle in Ireland

Our family had a great time at the Ballindooley Castle. The listing is accurate and the location is good. It's on a busy road, so you will hear traffic and the windows and doors are not airtight but it really doesn't matter as it's an incredible opportuinity to stay in a legitimate medieval castle. We had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Castle Experience

Great communication with the host who gave us a tour and the history of the castle. The Castle has lots of steps naturally, but all of the levels are incredible. The renovated bathroom and shower was amazing. Great location near Galway with lots of places to eat.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Experience of a lifetime!

Literal Castle! If you are looking for a unique experience, this property will not disappoint! The castle is not cozy, but the experience wad EPIC!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a unique and interesting property. We enjoyed the experience and the owners have done an amazing job of updating the interior while still maintaining the originality. However - it is NOT conducive for older people or anyone with mobility issues. The stairs are no joke!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Ballindooley castle stay

Our family reunion of 6 stayed here for a week and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this amazing 450 year old Tower. We had meals and played games in the great room, viewed the sunsets from the rooftop ramparts and generally lived like the Royal family (minus the servants of course). It served as an unforgettable and spectacular setting for a long overdue reunion for our family. We would return in a heartbeat.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing experience

Barry was an amazing host. When we arrived he gave us a tour to show us the smaller details of the property and explain some of the history - we loved the tour. The experience was so much fun. The property was well stocked with everything you need, kitchen was well stocked to host a dinner. Bathroom and laundry supplies were there to use. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Galway and recommend Ballindooley to anyone looking for a unique experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Experience of a lifetime!

Staying at this Castle was a highlight of our trip. It has been updated with comforts as much as possible. We had a nice warm stay. This is a true standing castle rich with history. Perfectly located outside galway. Barry was an excellent and resposive host. I think he was just as exciting for us as we were to stay. I omly dinged cleanliness because its an ancient castle. If dust in the corners isn't expected, this is not the place for you. Book It!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience — staying in a real medieval castle — this is the place to book. The property is over 500 years old and completely authentic in every sense. We’re glad we stayed, but you need to seriously consider your ability to handle steep, uneven, and sometimes dangerous stairs, especially when carrying luggage up multiple flights.We enjoyed using the fireplace to stay warm, and the owner supplied plenty of wood and coal. There are electric heaters in several rooms, but the castle is drafty and can get quite cold — part of the atmosphere, but not for everyone.That said, be prepared: this is a very old building, and it shows. The interior is dusty, the stone floors and walls feel damp, and cleanliness is far below what you’d expect in a modern accommodation. The front door is awkward to open and lock, and being right on a busy road means there’s a steady hum of traffic noise.If you’re after an authentic, centuries-old experience, this delivers — but go in knowing you’re staying in a genuine ancient castle, not a polished hotel
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

New housekeeper needed immediately

We found the following issues that had not been addressed prior to our arrival. The kitchen was a wreck:-The garbage can was full of trash and rotten food. It smelled terrible. -The garbage can lid was smeared with old dried food. -The French Press had mold and sludge in the bottom along with coffee grounds -The tea pot had dried grounds in the bottom and the inside was black. -The service wear in the drawers was streaked with grease. Apparently someone had tried to clean them with cold water. -The rug in the kitchen was dirty and stained. -The refrigerator had not been wiped out and there were open condiment bottles that were old and out of date. -The olive oil was rancid Bedroom:The single bed in the master had mold stains and smelled musty. Great room:The table was covered with dust. Family room:-The coal fireplace was full of old ash from many uses. -There were old, burned down and useless candles all over the place. Bathroom:The tile floor was very gritty and had obviously not been cleaned. Heating systemTwo of the radiant heaters were old, rusted and inoperable, contributing to the castle being cold and damp. Outside All of the trash containers were full of old garbage. As a result of the above, we were forced to move out after two days of the seven that we paid for. When we questioned the host, his response was ‘l have never had this issue’, although a review of previous posts also addressed some of these issues.
Coffee press with sludge and mold
Tea pot with dried debris in the bottom and black on the sides
Master bathroom with grit. It had obviously not been mopped
Fireplace was filthy and full of ash
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
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