13th Century Lakeside Castle, 6 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, (Sleeps 10-12) Surrounded by seven acres of lawns, park and woodland, Carraigin Castle is an idyllic holiday home in a beautiful setting on the shores of Lough Corrib. From the Castle one can enjoy boating and fishing, walking, riding and sightseeing, or just relax by the open hearth and contemplate the simple grandeur of this ancient dwelling, a rare and beautiful example of a fortified, medieval “hall house”. You will love the relaxed atmosphere of this authentic 13th-century manor house, which has been restored by the present owner after more than two centuries as a roofless ruin. Carraigin's church-like structure sits on a rise reached by an avenue across the tree-lined Pleasure Ground. The ancient-looking, nail-studded front door on the ground floor, often mistaken for an authentic antiquity, was actually made by the owner during the building's restoration in the 1970s. Round the corner, an imposing stone staircase leads to another grand entrance, into the lofty, oak-beamed Great Hall featuring a wide, stone-arched fireplace that provides a comforting aroma of turf and wood-smoke. The Great Hall is the central living and dining area of the castle. It features a mix of old oak and comfortable modern furniture surrounding the welcoming hearth. Its white walls are extensively decorated with tapestries, brass rubbing portraits of ancient kings and knights and a magnificent triptych featuring a Galway galleon. There is a tiny but well-equipped kitchen next door. On the same level as the Hall is an oak-beamed double bedroom with a king-size bed and bathroom. A stone staircase winds upwards over this master bedroom to a gallery room overlooking the Great Hall. Another winding stairs leads up to a little single bedroom in the corner tower (available only in the summer). From both of these second-floor rooms you can stroll out onto the castle parapets with fabulous views of Lough Corrib and the hills of Connemara and Mayo. The rest of you sleep in the four cosy 'Vaults' on the ground floor below The Vaults have much picturesque charm with their oak-timbered partitions, arches and vaulted ceilings, and they work if you know each other well as the rooms lead one into the other. Vault I, the largest of the four, sleeps two in bunk-beds and features a fair-sized work table and chairs for busy teenagers and a mini-sofa for one or two in the window embrasure. Vault II (off No. 1) has a double bed and a similar window seat. Vault III (also off No.1) has one double and one single bed and a window seat. Vault III in turn gives access to Vault IV, a small single room with a three-light gothic window looking out onto the lawn. For an extra fee of E160 for 3 days (or E300 for 7 days) a fishing boat is available between 1st March and 31st October. This includes outboard, life jackets, 2 fishing rods and an introduction to Lough Corrib by a local fisherman. A car is necessary. The nearest town with shops, bank, post office, chemist etc is about 5 miles away. You will have the whole property and 7 acres to yourselves. Carraigin Castle is ideal for a family reunion. Carraigin is very much a place of communal living which works well for people who know each other, as some of the rooms lead from one into the other in ancient fashion. We generally recommend the place for 8 people to be comfortable. Please also keep in mind that there are only 2 bathrooms. Tower bedroom only available in the summer. There is central heating, electric heaters and an open fire in the Great Hall.