Ballinalacken Castle Hotel

Owner Denis O’Callaghan told me of how his parents bought the house from the O’Briens who originally owned the castle next door in 1938, more for the 100 acres of land that went with it, and opened it as a hotel under the 12 bedroom scheme in 1941. In those days the hotel didn’t even have electricity yet visitors came from far and near by boat, train and jaunting car to stay for 2-3 weeks or a month to take the sea air. Initially it was Irish then mainly English, then the Yanks, led by Maureen O’Hara and her husband Charles Blair who flew the first flying boat into Foynes just down the road.

Full board of course was the norm, it wasn’t like there were many options then for meals elsewhere? Which included, a big hearty Irish breakfast in the morning, followed by the main meal of the day ie dinner at lunchtime with high tea in the evening which was dictated by the weather. If there was squally rain blowing in from the Atlantic the frying pan would go on for a mixed grill, with plenty tea, bread and butter. If the weather was fine and warm, it was fresh salad, ham, tomatoes, boiled eggs, lettuce and scallions. Just what you'd need after a day spent on the beach, out boating, hiking over the Burren or visiting historical sites, much the same as today, in fact....

Of course the menu is much more sophisticated now as modern tastes demand, but at Ballinalacken Castle, they still use the very best of local ingredients including fresh meat and fish, salads and vegetables. Artisan cheeses such as St Tola and organic smoked salmon from the Burren Smokehouse feature regularly on the menu and you wont find a more exquisite view from a dinner table anywhere in Ireland with views out over rolling pasture, the cliffs of Moher and the wild Atlantic Ocean. You can taste the freshness of the food, the salt of the sea and the warmth of real Irish hospitality that has been gleaned from some 70 years of pleasing their guests, now that’s something Ireland can be proud of......

For information on rates, availability and bookings at Ballinalacken Castle Hotel please click here.

For more information on things to do while staying in Ballinalacken please click here.

For more information on Foynes Flying Boat Museum please click here.