Castle Ellen is about as basic as it gets (with the exception of our recently installed Wifi and an electric shower) :-). No mod cons ! Not far from how it was in 1890 with the exception of an electric shower. If you are looking for a most unusual experience, Castle Ellen will deliver this and much more.

The space
Castle Ellen is most unusual and is just located 25mins from Galway City. It proudly boasts no mod cons. Dating back to 1810, when it was built by the Lambert family, Castle Ellen is situated on 33 acres of land, 13.5 miles from Galway City and 2.5 miles from Athenry.
The house is located in a beautiful woodland setting. It is a haven of tranquility, where one can enjoy a sense of timelessness and connection to nature.

The aim of the proprietor, Mr Michael Keaney, is to maintain the house as close as possible to the way it was at the end of the 19th century. Michael bought Castle Ellen in 1974, when it was in an advanced state of disrepair. He has since made super-human efforts to restore it to some of its former glory, and under his auspices the house has been home to many artists, sculptors, and poets, and provides an oasis of calm and reflection in the busy modern world.

Guest access
14 acres of beautiful grounds.

No breakfast is provided, however there are basic kitchen facilities available for your use. There is a domestic refrigerator available in the Kitchen for food storage.

During your stay
Michael loves to interact with his guests. Michael is actively restoring the property, so during meals he would be delighted to sit down with the guest and they may even want to help out with some of the gardening.

Other things to note
Castle Ellen is an ongoing restoration project, covering both the house and grounds. Michael has dedicated himself to restoring the place to its former state. Progress can be slow, but piece by piece the “Big House" is being continually transformed.

Architectural Features of Castle Ellen:

Swept Limestone Entrance
Basement Wine Cellar with Brick-Arched Compartments
Decorative Plaster Work
Limestone Floor in the Basement Kitchen
Wide Variety of Open Fireplaces.
Tower Castle with Dry Moat dating to 1679
Livestock Tunnel under Main Avenue
Conservation is very important to Michael Keaney, and coal and oil are never used in Castle Ellen. The Irish language is another subject which is close to his heart, and he hopes that Castle Ellen can be a haven for keeping the language alive.

Outdoor Features of Castle Ellen:

Tree lined avenue
Sunken Rockery
Two-Acre Walled Garden
Court Yard (built in 1875)
70-Foot Water Well with Pony-Driven Reciprocating Pump
Grass Tennis Court area
Orchard

The property is an ideal holiday location for anyone who appreciates historic homes.