Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle is a castle, now a 5-star luxury hotel with golf course, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare, Ireland. Its restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, was awarded a Michelin star in 1995, under head chef Jean Baptiste Molinari. The present building was completed in 1835. However, the first building constructed here seems to have been a tower house built in the 15th century and is recorded as being erected by Thomas Mac Anerheny. There were at least three houses on the site, at various times, called Dromoland. While Dromoland later became residence of eight generations of the O'Brien family, early records suggest that the area was also occupied by other local Gaelic families, such as the McInerney family during the 16th century. For more information about accomodation or golf at Dromoland please visit www.dromoland.ie.
Cragganouwen
Craggaunowen is the name of a 16th century castle and an archaeological open-air museum in County Clare, Ireland. Craggaunowen is located 10 km east of Quin, County Clare. The name Craggaunowen derives from its Irish name Creagán Eoghain (Owen's little rocky hill). The site is operated by Shannon Heritage. Craggaunowen runs a tour call The Living Past Experience. It features reconstructions of ancient Irish architecture, including a dolmen, a crannog, and the currach boat used in Tim Severins recreation of "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot". It also shows reconstructions of a Ringfort, Fulachta Fia (Bronze Age cooking and industrial site) and Standing Stone. For more information about tours please visit www.shannonheritage.com/Craggaunowen.
Knappogue Castle
Knappogue Castle is a tower house, built in 1467 and expanded in the mid-19th century, located in the parish of Quin, County Clare, Ireland. It has been restored and is open to guided tours. The original castle was built in 1467 and is a good example of a late medieval tower house. Today, the castle is used as a venue for weddings and medieval banquets and offers guided tours. Dating from 1817, the 1.248 acre garden is now restored to its former state. The walls of the garden have been refurnished with climbing roses, grapevines and many varieties of clematis. There is also a whiskey named "Knappogue Castle" produced by the Castle Brands company, currently bottling liquor produced by Bushmills. For more information please visit www.shannonheritage.com.
Quin Abbey
Quin Abbey, is a ruined Franciscan abbey or friary in Quin, roughly 9 miles from Ennis, County Clare in Ireland. It was built in the Gothic style in the early 15th century on the remains of an earlier Norman castle. The abbey had a turbulent history, with the friars driven off or killed numerous times. Officially suppressed in 1541, the abbey continued to be inhabited by a small number of friars until 1820. Today, Quin Abbey is a National Monument. Although mostly roofless, the structure of the abbey is relatively well preserved. The cloister and many other surviving architectural features make the abbey of significant historical value. A visitor centre is located near the abbey and the structure and grounds can be visited free of charge. The graveyard surrounding the abbey is still in use. For more information and opening hours please visit www.discoverireland.ie.
Ballyhannon Castle
Ballyhannon Castle is a medieval Irish castle dating back to the 15th century, located near the village of Quin in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is fully intact and in the Irish Governmental records it is registered as a National Monument and "Listed/Protected" structure, intended to protect its historic, architectural and aesthetic significance. The castle of Ballyhannon, also known in later times as Castlefergus, most likely from its proximity to the River Fergus, is a towerhouse of atypical internal design within the context of the Co. Clare group of towerhouses. The castle stands in the townland of Castlefergus close to Latoon Creek, which itself feeds into the River Fergus. For more information & opening hours please visit www.ballyhannon-castle.com.