We have booked a week at Smithstown Castle in North Clare. I can not find one traveler review anywhere on the internet. Anyone ever stay there? Thanks!
The only knowledge I have of the castle is on the Internet. It looks very rustic, castle-like and like it has not been over restored. Very genuine and medieval looking.
Had you thought of having a disco for your teenagers at in the great hall of the castle? You can hire DJs in Ireland. Just a thought.
Sorry, I've been away for a while. Smithstown Castle has another name (it'll come to me after I post, and it was for sale about two years ago for about E650,00. The owners decided not to sell. I chatted with them on the phone once and they had decided they just couldn't part with it. They live in NI. The prices seem quite reasonable for a stay there. I drove up to the place one year (didn't go in) and it looked nice. It's not as high end as the place in Quinn, Ballyhannon, which is much more expensive. I think you'll have a nice time.
Thank you so much. You are the 1st person to reply who's actually been there. I searched Frommer's and Fodor's for traveler's reviews but to no avail. I was beginning to wonder if it really existed. Several family members are planning on staying in self catering rentals nearby and not one of the local owners has heard of the place. Is it in a very secluded spot? The other name for is it Ballynagowen.
The castle does look amazing. Perhaps part of the recreational activity is to acquire some coconuts, as they did in Monty Python's Holy Grail movie and clipclap around the Great Hall. Now that would be cool. A must photo on that.
It's quite secluded. We reached it from the road to Lisdoonvarna (that and irish tune isn't it?) from Ennistimon. It's down a narrow lane and the location is beautiful. We actually considered getting the family together to purchase the place as an investment if it had stayed on the market. We would have had to do a lot of research though before doing that. I think you'll love it.