Smithstown Castle, Co Clare
A Strong House on the Burren

The Banqueting Hall with a long, richly carved table comfortably seats eight people.   The integrated fitted kitchen,  including electric stove, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, fully equipped with a good range of cooking and serving utensils, has all you need for an opulent banquet.  The Great Hall with its large original gothic fireplace, once upon a time the king's living room, is overlooked by a medieval gallery - live like "Lord and Lady"!   Three cosy double bedroom chambers, additional sleeping space for two on the gallery - A good sized bath room and two shower rooms/WC.   All rooms are centrally heated. Payphone available in kitchen, TV and radio/CD player in Great Hall. Travel into past times while treating yourself with a glass of locally brewed mead or a flagon of ale from the nearby Biddy Early Brewery at the warming fireside!

Only few castles in the West of Ireland survived into our times. In the County of North Clare one of the most important castles is Ballynagowan (Smithstown) Castle which takes its name from beal-atha-an-ghobhan, the mouth of the smith’s ford. This castle has played an exciting part in Irish history over the centuries. It was first mentioned when the last king of Munster, Murrough O’Brien, called the Tanist, who was created 1^st Earl of Thomond and 1^st Baron of Inchiquin in 1543 willed the Castle of Ballynagowan to his son Teige before his death in 1551.

Over the years it accommodated many famous characters of Irish history. Records show that in 1600 the legendary Irish rebel “Red” Hugh O’Donnell with his men rested there during his attack on North Clare, spreading ruin everywhere when seeking revenge upon the Earl of Thomond for his being in alliance with the English.  

In 1649 Oliver Cromwell’s army came from England with death and destruction. When his General Ludlow swept into North Clare striking terror everywhere he went, he attacked the castle with cannons. In 1650 Conor O’Brien of Lemeneagh became heir of the castle. However, soon after, he was fatally wounded in a skirmish with Cromwellian troops commanded by General Ludlow at Inchicronan in 1651. With him had fought his wife Maire Rua O’Brien (“The Red Mary”), named after her long red hair, one of the best known characters in Irish tradition. She had lived in the castle as a young woman and it is the ferocity attributed to her, which has kept her name alive.

Over the next decades Ballynagowan Castle was the seat of army generals, the High Sheriff of County Clare and Viscount Powerscourt, one of the most powerful aristocrats who had their main residence - a monumental Palladian mansion - in Wicklow.

Ballynagowan Castle, last inhabited in mid 19^th century, has now been restored to provide a historic self-catering holiday home for an unforgettable and adventurous experience of Ireland between past and present, with all the comfort of 21^st century. On grounds of almost 5 acres, the romantic castle is situated on a rocky eminence surrounded by a park with mature trees and the river Deelagh, gently flowing in a lovely glen of rich vegetation.

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