Turin Castle

• Sleeps: 10
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

Turin Castle was built by the Norman De Burgo family, and for over 600 years the square towered fortress has stood proudly amongst the stone walled fields, in the ancient barony of Kilmaine.

Abandoned for at least 250 years, the castle was originally restored in 1997. In 2008, new owners Marnie and Brendan took on the daunting project of a complete refurbishment, with a little help from skilled local tradespeople.

A painstaking labour of love, today the castle is resplendent with locally-sourced materials, medieval artefacts, and authentic antique furniture. Some of the fittings were sourced in the souks of Marrakesh by Marnie and Brendan, during their travels to Morocco.

Their vision was to honour the castle’s rich heritage, while offering their guests a stay filled with luxurious modern comforts. In fact, Turin Castle is Ireland’s only privately-owned castle with en-suite facilities, and there are some wondrous surprises in store as you explore your majestic surroundings!

Groups of up to 10 people are welcome here, with versatile sleeping accommodation to suit everyone’s needs. Perfect for a small family, the historic ground-floor bedroom sleeps up to four guests, with its own dedicated shower room next-door.

Two more en-suite bedrooms await on the first floor. One grotto-like room is spanned by a vaulted ceiling and boasts a sumptuous king size Rococo bed, while the other is a cosier, vaulted room with a double Gothic iron bed. The third floor is home to another small double or twin bedroom, with charming en-suite shower facilities.

Break bread all together in the second-floor Great Hall, with its enormous stone fireplace and soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling. Here you’ll find a banquet-worthy 17th century oak table, with a fully-equipped kitchen just next door. For the perfect soundtrack, simply fire up the valve amp CD system in the dedicated minstrels’ gallery (that is, if your usual dinnertime musicians aren’t available!)

At a glance

• A luxurious and authentic medieval castle sleeping up to 10 guests, secluded among 16 acres of countryside in the ancient barony of Kilmaine, County Mayo.
• Accommodation is generously spaced across four floors, with bedrooms to suit couples and small families.
• Each of the five bedrooms boast dedicated or en-suite shower facilities.
• There is plenty of space for celebrating and socialising, including the Great Hall for sumptuous banquets and the Lord and Lady’s Apartment for elegant lounging!
• The battlements are safe  and easily accessed for exceptional countryside and mountain views.
• The nearest town is Ballinrobe, just five miles away. Many of West Ireland’s most iconic attractions are in easy driving distance.

Features

• Family Friendly
• Large Groups

More information

The castle’s grand fourth floor is home to the Lord and Lady’s Apartment or Solar: an opulent lounge suitably adorned with antiques and tapestries. A bookcase conceals an entrance to a secret chamber, or oubliette, where captives or valuables were once held. You’ll also discover a beamed en suite bedroom with a large four-poster bed and a free-standing bath tub in the window, with distant mountain views… perfect for the guest of honour.

The final stretch of the spiral staircase climbs to the battlements, offering stunning views over the stone walled fields and beyond to the craggy peaks of the Connemara mountains.

(On a clear day, these incredible views stretch out for up to 40 miles and must be experienced at least once).

The entire site is completely private and is surrounded by tree-lined walls. Intimate weddings can be held in the charming Chapel overlooking the formal garden and patio area.

While you may not feel like leaving your exquisite medieval kingdom, there’s plenty to explore close by. Ancient ring forts and neolithic monuments dot the landscape, while many of West Ireland’s iconic attractions, including the Cliffs of Moher and the Connemara National Park, are easily accessible by car.

You could also pay a visit to Cong – a beautiful village that was often frequented by Oscar Wilde, and the setting for the iconic film The Quiet Man – or Westport, which is teeming with friendly pubs and eateries.

Things to note

Weddings and celebratory events of up to 12 guests can be held at the castle – please enquire on the property website for details. Electricity is charged separately as used during your stay, with a meter reading taken on arrival and departure.