Castle House Clarecastle - Clarecastle Co. Clare

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Description

Castle House is a lovingly restored home with a rich history dating right back to 1778. Originally a soldier’s barracks, this property has been brought back to life brick by brick by its dedicated owners, resulting in a large, luxury vacation home available now for rentals.

Set in a private and secluded gated Courtyard, Castle House is one of two identical homes. It has four stories. The living areas are all located on the ground floor and the bedrooms are spread over the top three floors.

The kitchen and dining area are warm and cosy and bright. This room stretches from the front right through to the back of the building.  The dining table is solid oak and can seat up to 10 people. There is a wood burning stove alongside the table so it is a lovely place to gather in the evening and linger over a meal or share some time together. The kitchen is very well equipped and has some of the original features of the house on display. It has all the appliances you will need along with crockery, glassware, cutlery and cooking equipment. It is a kitchen that was made to be used. There is a separate large utility room with a washing machine and dryer.  There is also a guest toilet downstairs.

The sitting room is comfortable and cosy and features a wood burning stove along with a supply of timber for your stay. This room has a TV and relaxing couches and armchairs – the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the County of Clare.Wifi is avaiable free of charge to our guests.

There are eight bedrooms in Castle House and each of them is ensuite. There are three king bedrooms on both the second and third floors (so 6 king bedrooms in all) and the 4th floor has one room with two single beds and the other with a double bed – ideal for children which share a bathroom between. Two of the king bedrooms have a small sitting area and TV. There is a beautiful stand-alone bath on each of the floors – a real treat to enjoy during your stay.

Although there are 8 bedrooms, we have set the ideal number of people to 12 as that is the number that could most comfortably stay and enjoy Castle House. Larger groups could also rent the adjoining almost identical Thomond House alongside or perhaps De Clare House (sleeps 8) or the gorgeous cosy Coach House (sleeps just 2 people).

The Courtyard is shared among the houses and offers plenty of parking right outside your door.  At night time the houses are lit up spectacularly. To the rear of Castle House is the beautifully landscaped walled garden area which is shared with Thomond House.  Filled with flowers and seating here and there, this would be a wonderful place to escape with a good book or newspaper.

A private Chef is available on request to cook breakfast, lunch or dinner. This needs to be pre-arranged. Please enquire with Dream Ireland or with the owner directly if within 6 weeks prior to arrival. 

For larger groups, the Straw House onsite can be reserved for private dining or for a get-together. Please enquire on booking.

LOCATION

Located in the Clare village of Clarecastle and alongside the River Fergus and the ruins of a Castle, Castle House is just a 15 minute drive from Shannon Airport, a half an hour from Limerick or an hour from Galway.  The popular Clare villages of Lahinch, Doonbeg and Bunratty with its Folk Park and Castle are less than a half an hour away as are the famous Cliffs of Moher.  Ennis is just a 2 mile drive away and the fine five star Dromoland Castle Hotel is just a 10 minute drive.

Clarecastle is a small Village but it has a Church, supermarket, two pubs and a great Café serving the best of home made treats.  There is also a playground for children within an easy stroll of Thomond House.

HISTORY

Castle House, Clarecastle, Co Clare
 
This walled site on the banks of the River Fergus just outside Clarecastle has a long and intriguing history. This history can be read in the buildings that survive today. A site of strategic importance, it was strengthened by the Anglo-Normans, who built a walled enclosure protected by a castle in the thirteenth century. The ruined castle still dominates, while the wall, although only surviving in places, still defines this little 
settlement. 
 
In the middle ages the castle came under the control of the indigenous King of Thomond, but by the late sixteenth century the British had reasserted their power. In the seventeenth century the British garrisoned the castle, building a barracks, which was drawn by the English traveller and antiquarian, Thomas Dineley, in 1681. This barracks was dominated by two buildings which projected from the castle into the enclosure. Although they have disappeared, these buildings have left their mark in the redundant limestone chimneypiece and blocked doorways that can be seen in the east wall of the castle.
 
The buildings that fill the enclosure today were constructed over a long period of time in the eighteenth century. Like most eighteenth-century barracks built in Ireland, the buildings were constructed around a parade ground. The oldest block, built in two phases, is probably the ‘soldiers’ quarters’, the long three-storey building, close to the road, facing the former parade ground in the centre of the site. Directly opposite are the ‘officers’ quarters’, an impressive, three-storey block that was completed by 1766. Around the perimeter are the ancillary buildings: the hospital behind the soldiers’ quarters; the staff house facing east; the straw store located in the seventeenth-century guard house and the stables behind the officers’ quarters. An entrance, protected by gun loops, was built into the medieval wall on the west side and can still be seen today.
 
The barracks, effectively closed in the 1890s, were used to house Belgian refugees in the First World War. With Independence in 1922 it came into the possession of the Free State. The buildings were sold in the 1950s. For years they were left to deteriorate, but now they have been restored and are once again in use. 
 
© Judith Hill, 2018
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Facilities

  • Linen Provided
  • Television
  • Cooker
  • Microwave
  • Shared Garden
  • Towels Provided
  • Dishwasher
  • Non-Smoking
  • No pets allowed
  • Sleeps 12 or more people
  • Welcome Hamper
  • Garden Furniture
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • Washing Machine
  • Tumble Dryer
  • Heating & Electricity included in rental price
  • Wi-Fi
  • Cot available on request
  • Saor View
  • Highchair available
  • Wood Burning Stove
  • 5 Ring Hob
  • Toaster
  • Freezer
  • Kettle
  • Fridge
  • Oven
  • Parking Available
  • FREE wifi
  • Romantic

Castle House Clarecastle

  • Property Type
    Heritage Property
  • Sleeps
    12
  • Bedrooms
    8 Bedrooms
  • Bathrooms
    8 Bathrooms
  • Dream Ireland Rating
    Cloud Rating

May, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

Amazing

"This place is amazing!! My family of 10 adults, stayed for 6 nights. When we arrived, Marion was there to show us everything. She is awesome and very informative about the history of the house. The house has everything you need and was a great base for golf and sightseeing. The bedrooms are beautiful and the beds comfortable. The highlight of our trip was when Marion and her husband Ger stopped to check on us. We had a bit of craic, as good as you would get in a pub!! Thanks Marion and Ger for an excellent time, see ya soon!!"

TJ Carmody


May, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

Castle House

"We were here on a family excursion. The grounds are absolutely immaculate and the hospitality was above and beyond. The owners made sure we had everything we needed. They gave us a tour and shared the history of the property. Everything was very clean and comfortable! I can't wait to stay here again"

Ryan Morse


Apr, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

Beautiful place

"Our family loved it here and we feel so lucky we got to stay in this beautiful home while visiting Ireland. The memories made there will last a lifetime, thank you!"

Cadena-Riveria Family - Jurupa Valley, CA, USA


Apr, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

Such a special place

"We had an amazing stay in Castle House. It was comfortable, welcoming and just fantastic. Thank you for all the attention and details. You did not miss anything! We were happy to spend our holidays in such a special place. Hopefully we can come back some day!"

Gramunt & Kapicka families - Switzerland


Mar, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Group of people

You truly go above and beyond

"We had the most delightful stay at this stunning property! From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome by the cozy atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. The property was comfortable, spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated, making it feel like a true home from home. A huge thank you also to our wonderful hosts for making our stay so special. Their hospitality and kindness was beyond our expectations - they truly went above and beyond."

Coleman, Fuller & Burnett Families - USA


Apr, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Group of people

Thank you

"Thank you for the unforgettable memories and a beautiful place to stay."

Amanda & Jeffrey Costales - Orange County, CA


Apr, 2025

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

We can highly recommend Castle House in every way

"We loved Castle House! The house was even more overwhelming in reality than the photos showed. The attention to detail was not to be overlooked and made this place even more unique. Marion was an outstanding host who always and promptly took care of our concerns. We can highly recommend Castle House in every way."

Bianca


Sep, 2024

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

We had the most amazing time

"We had the most amazing time at this property. Marion was so easy to work with and showed us all around the property. We loved the short walk down to the food and pubs in Clarecastle and everything about the house was magical. I would HIGHLY recommend this house for a large group. Plenty of space for each couple and each bedroom having it's own bathroom was awesome. We would love to come back again!"

Jen USA


Aug, 2024

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

You will not be disappointed by this experience

"The home and castle complex are outstanding and have been restored to beyond its original glory. The 8 bedroom en suite home is beautifully decorated and was very comfortable for our group of 6 adults and 7 children aged 15-19. The location is very convenient for day trips to all of the tourist sites in the south, southwest and west. Damien, who is available as a concierge, chef and fisherman is exceptional and I would highly recommend him. He cooked Irish breakfasts, dinners, shopped for groceries, brought us on a fishing trip to Lough Derg and even went so far as to source a replacement screw for my mother’s walker! The owners Gerry and Marian were excellent. We got personal tours of the old army barracks and even the castle which is undergoing splendid renovations. You will not be disappointed by this experience!"

Dermot (USA)


Jul, 2024

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5 out 5 rating

Traveled with :
Extended family

This is definitely the place to stay

"Our family of 11 truly enjoyed our stay at Castle House for 7 days. The large fully stocked kitchen dining area enabled us the cook and eat as a family and enjoy each evening as a large group. Having washer and dryer with our group was great. The internet WIFI was great. I would recommend to anyone traveling to Ireland who wants to enjoy the country and their stay while visiting, this is definitely the place to stay."

Susan T



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