Reflected in the still water of the Owenmore River against a backdrop of Connemara's quartzite peaks, the grey stone castle that houses Ballynahinch Castle has been one of Connacht's most atmospheric addresses for centuries — its walls having sheltered, at various points, the O'Flaherty chieftains, the Maharaja Ranjitsinhji, and the naturalist and novelist Richard Berridge. Built in its current form in the early nineteenth century and converted into a hotel in 1946, the four-storey castellated manor sits within a 700-acre sporting estate where the Ballynahinch River, one of Ireland's finest salmon fisheries, curves through ancient woodland before the Twelve Bens mountains rise sharply behind. The interiors navigate the particular challenge of the Irish country house hotel with more conviction than most — keeping the atmosphere of an inhabited house rather than slipping into heritage pastiche. Bedrooms carry this off through deliberate tonal variety: some dressed in warm cream with dark ebony four-poster beds, tartan throws, and chintz curtains framing lake views through Gothic-arched sash windows; others in cooler sage and duck-egg blue with ikat-patterned wallpapers, Regency-style mahogany chests, and botanical prints grouped above reading chairs. The dining room, its run of tall Gothic windows drawing the river landscape directly into the room, is furnished with tufted leather armchairs and dark-stained oak floors, the whole effect closer to a well-loved private dining room than a formal hotel restaurant. Cast-iron terrace furniture and plaid wool throws complete the composition outdoors.

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Luxury hotel located on a 700-acre estate with 48 bedrooms & suites with our most recent refurbishments completed in February 2024. The rooms & suites overlooking the river, mountains or both in the tranquillity of the Connemara landscape. Our Fisherman's pub serves lunch and dinner by the open log fire, dinner is also served in the award-winning Owenmore Restaurant. On site, miles of scenic river & lakeside walks, bicycles to explore the area, fly fishing and clay shooting. Locally we have a boat trip from Roundstone fishing village which includes a trip to a deserted island & lobster fishing and great hiking. Connemara National Park, Connemara Golf Club and Clifden are all a short drive as is the ferry & airport to the Aran Islands. Ballynahinch Castle is the ideal base for touring Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way.