Ballinalacken castle country house hotel

Staying with this incredibly gracious family on their stunning castle ruin estate was truly the highlight of our trip so far. The warmth of their hospitality, the comfort of the accommodations, and the unforgettable private tour of the historic castle grounds made for an experience we will treasure. This is more than a stay — it’s a step into history, hosted by people who genuinely care about sharing their home and heritage. Absolutely unforgettable!

Incredible! We will definitely be back.

The room was lovely and clean, the bed comfortable. The breakfast was good. The tour of the castle tower and the view was outstanding.

5 Stars! Highly recommend!

We had a wonderful stay and dining experience at Ballinalacken Castle Country House. From the moment we arrived, everything was clean, cozy, and beautifully maintained, and the staff were all genuinely kind and welcoming throughout our stay.

We chose to dine at the castle for dinner, and it was absolutely delicious. We also loved the included breakfast the next morning, which offered great options. The service was attentive and warm, making the entire dining experience enjoyable, relaxed, and special.

Our room was clean, cozy, comfortable, and charming. The property overlooks the Cliffs of Moher, offering beautiful views, and its location was perfect—an ideal place to stay between visiting the Cliffs of Moher and exploring Galway.

A peaceful, charming stay in an incredible location. We would highly recommend Ballinalacken Castle and would love to return someday.

Our stay here was absolutely lovely. Coming to Ireland in the off-season, we knew it would be quiet and peaceful and that's exactly what we got but that didn't stop the staff and service we experienced while staying from being top notch! Everyone we encountered was absolutely lovely and the restaurant shouldn't be missed - it was genuinely some of the best food we had during our entire trip in Ireland. We stayed for two nights and it was the perfect location for our 'country' time - quick drive to the Cliffs, Doolin Cave (could probably walk), all the small towns along the coast.

Simply the best experience. Sad that it was only one night. Superb amenities. Gracious feel -- every aspect. Kind people. Spectacular setting. Romantic.

We had so many wonderful stays during our trip to Ireland, but our experience at Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel may have topped them all. The staff at this hotel outside Doolin epitomized the friendly and generous spirit of Ireland.
Declan and Cecelia were amazing hosts, and the entire staff followed their lead. After viewing the Cliffs of Moher, we were lucky enough to arrive in time for a tour of the O'Brien castle that looms over the hotel. As we were without a car, Declan offered to drive us into Doolin to experience some trad music. We had an amazing meal at the hotel restaurant, and our room was elegant and comfortable. Our only regret—it was just a one-night stay.

This was our second visit to Ballinacken Castle Country House Hotel from the US and we are already planning our next! Sleeping adjacent to an historic castle is epic, for starters, but with modern amenities, a 5-star restaurant, a cozy pub right on site, and just a few miles from iconic places like the Cliffs of Moher and the ferry to the Aran Islands, make this the perfect spot for exploring the west coast of Ireland. Can't wait to return. Cecelia, Declan and Daniel are the perfect hosts!

Brilliant hotel for a quiet get-away. We stayed 2 nighs and had such a relaxing time with great food too. Highly recommand booking the restaurant for an evening meal. The breakfast is excellent too. Staff top notch and the rooms are large and bed very comfortable. Plenty of car parking space too. If in region, we will definately book again.

I am a repeat customer, for good reason. I just returned home from a beautiful stay at Ballinalacken and I am as impressed as ever with how well run and beautifully maintained this hotel is. The approach from the road is via a long windy drive open to beautifully landscaped grounds. You step inside into a very elegant drawing room, fireplace is lit, and plush couches are calling (perfect place to curl up with a book on a rainy afternoon, or to get lost in the view of the coast). I stayed in one of the newly added guest rooms which was shiny-new gorgeous, very spacious with luxurious bathrooms, towels, etc. They have incorporated energy efficiency into the new designs as well. Chef Luca is renowned, rightly so. We enjoyed two meals in their elegant dining room during our stay. The location is gorgeous - you are surrounded by the Burren with views of the ocean (and Cliffs of Moher). I highly recommend a walk along the Burren Way; it is also a 2-mile drive into Doolin to catch a ferry to the Aran Islands. My sister put it best - when you step into the hotel you just know you are going to be taken care of. And she was right. It was hard to leave such elegant surroundings.

This place is amazing! The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. They went above and beyond! Breakfast was incredible and the whole place was warm and inviting.

Another amazing stay! The team here never disappoints — everyone’s friendly, professional, and makes you feel right at home. As someone who eats gluten-free, I was blown away by how many choices there were at breakfast and dinner. The new rooms are stunning — modern, comfortable, and beautifully designed. Honestly, it feels like a slice of heaven after a long day. Can’t recommend this place enough.

We once again had an exceptional stay! The staff were so attentive and genuinely kind — nothing was too much trouble. The range of gluten-free options was incredible, easily the best we’ve found anywhere. The newly renovated rooms are a little piece of heaven — so calm, stylish, and spotless. It’s always a treat to come back here, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit.

Our stay was the highlight of our 12 day trip and that means it absolutely topped a stay in two other five star hotels and several excellent restaurants throughout the country! Everything was just right —from the private tour of the castle on the Manor grounds, to the five star dinners (we dined twice because the first night was so good), the quaint onsite pub, and the thoughtful service. The views of the coast, the Cliffs, and the Aran Islands are breathtaking from the moor and we can’t wait to return! Thank you for a peaceful, beautiful stay.

From signed in to sign out this place is amazing. You are treated better than family. Daniel at the quaint bar is so funny and the drinks are some of the best I have had. The food will make wanting for more.
We took the tour of the castle on site and Declan gave the best tour. He was so nice and very sweet and informative. I would recommend taking the tour and staying more than one day to soak up the views and see everything by in this beautiful countryside.
This family run hotel is one of a kind and will be a place we will be returning too for a longer visit.

We stayed at Ballinalacken Castle in July. We loved it! It was a hidden treasure! It was private but also close to town and easy access to the Cliffs of Mohr. The whole experience for us was memorable! We enjoyed the tour of the Castle! We also ended up visiting with many of the other guests after the castle tour!

We arrived at the Ballinalacken Castle Hotel before joining our tour group in Ennistymon, and it was the best part of our two weeks in Ireland. Lovely, comfortable rooms, excellent food, a cozy and well stocked bar, and a castle! It left nothing to be desired. Cecilia is a welcoming hostess and connected us with drivers, restaurants, and places to visit. Wholeheartedly recommend.