Ballindooley Castle on the Headford Road in Galway has gone on the market, offering a unique opportunity to acquire a landmark historic castle located a short drive from Galway City.
Presented for sale in excellent condition, having undergone a sustained body of recovery, renovation and repair over the last 22 years, Ballindooley Castle is presumed to have been built in the late 15th century, approximately 1480.
It is a Norman castle and was probably built by the DeBurgo family. The first written record of ownership was to a Redmond Regough Burke. The castle would have been probably used as a ‘guest castle’ by the Burke family, one of the tribes of Galway.
To the south west of the castle lies Ballindooley Lake, from which the castle was shelled by either the British gunboat ‘Helga’ or the HMS Gloucester during the 1916 Rising to disband rebels who were supposed to be gathered there to march on the city.
The castle was purchased as a ruin 22 years ago by a Chicago attorney with links to the West of Ireland. Previous to this, the castle had stood vacant for about 200 years.
A huge volume of work has been undertaken on the property since then, with great attention being paid to historic detail, yet it can be lived in with a modern degree of comfort.
The castle measures 3,400 square feet approximately and is offered for sale including all furniture, fixtures and fittings, curtains, drapes, window treatments, beds, tables, chairs and delph.
The castle rests on about half an acre of land and is surrounded by low walls and hedges with a gated entrance controlled by an electronic security system. The land is laid to lawn, with well-maintained shrubs and rockery.
The accommodation includes an entrance hall with ‘murder hole’ on the ground floor, large double bedroom, bathroom, cupboards, and stone staircase. On the first floor, there is a dining room and sitting room with a gallery, in addition to a fireplace with stone surround chimney and flagstone hearth, a fully fitted kitchen with quarry tiled floor, study, and office/reading room.
On the second floor, there is a second bedroom and gallery while on the third floor there is a generous living room spanning the whole length and breadth of the castle. A magnificent room, it is suitable for family gatherings, parties, conferences, recitals, art exhibitions etc.
On the fourth floor, there is a double bedroom and en suite at mezzanine level and access to the roof with stunning views. There is also a new stone parapet and new slate roof.
Asking price is €695,000. For viewings and brochures contact sole agent Helen Cassidy, Auctioneer and Valuer, Clonbur House, Clonbur, County Galway, on 09495-46868 or 087-2463748 or email helencassidyauctioneers@eircom.net
