Stay 
Athlone
approx. 5.5 km
A town on the River Shannon at the southern end of Lough Ree, near the geographical centre of Ireland, with 22,869 inhabitants (2022). Athlone Castle stands on the west bank.
Castle near Athlone: a whole castle on seven acres in the heart of Ireland
Listed on Expedia as a “Luxurious 5-bedroom 6-Bathroom Entire Castle on 7 Acres in Heart of Ireland”, this castle is let as a whole to a single party in the Athlone area, close to the geographical centre of the country. The listing mentions five bedrooms, a lift, fireplaces, air conditioning and a garden, with Lough Ree, the River Shannon and Athlone’s medieval castle all within a few kilometres.
At a glance
- Location
- Athlone area, in the Irish Midlands near the geographical centre of Ireland; Athlone railway station is an 11-minute drive according to Expedia
- Accommodation
- Entire castle let as a private home, five bedrooms and five to six bathrooms, on 7 acres (about 2.8 hectares); the building is not named in the listing
- Highlights
- Lift, fireplaces, air conditioning, garden, large kitchen with island, Smart TV, Wi-Fi, parking on site
- Guest rating
- 10/10 from 15 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 4 pm · check-out at 11 am
- Good to know
- No pets · non-smoking · wheelchair-suitable path to the lift (contact the property for special needs)
Renting an entire castle near Athlone: what to expect
This is a stay for a group that wants a whole castle to itself. The Expedia title promises five bedrooms and six bathrooms on seven acres, and the amenity list refers to five and a half bathrooms, with bath or shower and hair dryers, soap and shampoo provided. Photos in the listing show bedrooms with large beds, wooden headboards, candelabras, armchairs and desks, and a bathroom with two basins and a window overlooking greenery.
The kitchen is at the centre of things: the listing names a kitchen island, a dining table and a separate dining area, with a hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, ice maker, toaster and kettle, plus cookware, crockery and cutlery. For evenings in, there are fireplaces, a Smart TV, a DVD player and a stereo system, while air conditioning and central heating keep the rooms comfortable all year.
Practical extras include a garden, laundry facilities with a dryer, an iron and ironing board, a desk with chair and a lift. Windows are double-glazed and part of the lighting is LED. The castle is privately hosted, and guests with particular accessibility needs are asked to contact the property directly through their booking confirmation.
Photos of Castle near Athlone
The history around the castle: Athlone, the Shannon and Clonmacnoise
- 544 – Saint Ciarán founds the monastery of Clonmacnoise on the Shannon, which grows into a centre of learning and craftsmanship.
- 1129 – King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht builds a wooden castle at the river crossing in Athlone.
- 1210 – A stone castle is built at Athlone for King John by his justiciar, Bishop John de Gray, to guard the Shannon crossing.
- c. 1276 – The castle is strengthened with a curtain wall and round corner towers.
- 1547 – Athlone Castle is reconstructed by Sir William Brabazon.
- 1690–1691 – The two Sieges of Athlone bring heavy fire on the castle’s walls and towers.
- 1697 – Lightning strikes the castle and destroys the damaged outer walls and towers; it is later adapted for artillery in the Napoleonic era.
The listing does not name the castle, and none of the sources used here describes its own history, so this section looks at the story of the Athlone area instead. For centuries this stretch of the Shannon mattered because the river was hard to cross: south of Athlone it is impassable until Clonmacnoise, and to the north it opens into Lough Ree.
Athlone, which sits near the geographical centre of Ireland, grew up around that crossing. Its castle, on the west bank, still stands today, and the town’s history includes a gathering in 1001 at which Brian Bóru brought his army up the river. Today Athlone is a lively town of nearly 23,000 people on the shore of Lough Ree.
Facilities and services at the castle near Athlone
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); what is available can vary, so check the listing for your dates.
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Five bedrooms
- Five to six bathrooms, with bath or shower
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Hair dryer, soap and shampoo
- Desk and desk chair
Kitchen & dining
- Kitchen island and separate dining area
- Dining table
- Hob, oven and microwave
- Dishwasher, fridge and ice maker
- Cookware, crockery, cutlery, toaster and kettle
Comfort & entertainment
- Fireplaces
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Smart TV and DVD player
- Stereo system
- Wi-Fi in the rooms
Grounds & access
- Garden on 7 acres of grounds
- Lift
- Wheelchair-suitable path and path to the lift
- Parking on site
- Laundry, dryer, iron and ironing board; non-smoking
Where the castle is: near Athlone, close to Lough Ree and the Shannon
The castle is in the Athlone area, in the Irish Midlands, roughly 100 km west of Dublin. According to Expedia, Athlone Golf Club and The Spa at Hodson Bay are within about 2 km, while Lough Ree is within about 5 km and Athlone town centre, with its shopping centre, is also listed nearby. Athlone railway station is an 11-minute drive away, and the listing names five pubs and restaurants six to eight minutes by car: Sean’s Bar, Gertie Browns, Loaves and Fishes, The Bailey Bar and La Provence Restaurant.
Further afield, the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise lie about 15 km to the south on the Shannon, and the Midlands towns of Tullamore, Kilbeggan and Birr are reachable for a day out. The location also suits a base for cruising or fishing on the Shannon and Lough Ree.
Distances (as the crow flies from the castle)
| Athlone Castle | approx. 5.5 km |
| Athlone | approx. 5.5 km |
| Lough Ree | approx. 5.5 km |
| Clonmacnoise | approx. 15 km |
| Longford | approx. 33 km |
| Kilbeggan | approx. 35 km |
| Tullamore | approx. 39 km |
| Birr Castle | approx. 41 km |
| Mullingar | approx. 45 km |
Distances are measured as the crow flies from the map position given in the listing, which may be approximate for a private rental; the distances in the text above are those quoted by Expedia.
Things to see around the castle near Athlone
Lough Ree
approx. 5.5 km
The second largest lake on the River Shannon, popular for fishing and boating. On the island of Inchcleraun lie the remains of an early monastery.
Clonmacnoise
approx. 15 km
A ruined monastery on the Shannon founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán. Nine churches, two round towers and many carved crosses survive on the site.
Kilbeggan
approx. 35 km
A small town in County Westmeath on the River Brosna, about ten kilometres north of Tullamore and set among the gently rolling Esker Riada ridges.
Tullamore
approx. 39 km
The county town of Offaly on the Grand Canal, with 15,598 inhabitants (2022) and the home of the Tullamore Dew whiskey brand.
Birr Castle
approx. 41 km
A castle in Birr, County Offaly, with a castle site dating back to 1170. The house is private, but the demesne gardens, science museum and historic telescope are open.
Tours & activities near Castle near Athlone
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat
Walk the Medieval Mile, hear the stories of Kilkenny. Quirky tales of medieval life and lives. Witches, merchants, psychopathic bishops and why they …
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Dunmore East Sea Safari to Hook Lighthouse
Take a boat tour to see Hook Lighthouse from the Sea! We will take you on a breath-taking guided boat tour of the Waterford and Wexford Coastline …
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Dublin LGBTQ Pride Historical and Cultural Walking Tour
Together we’ll take a stroll through the streets of Dublin and explore some of the incredible figures of Ireland’s Queer History. From Irish …
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Authentic Dublin private tour by van Top guide Éamonn up to 8 PAX
When you book Eamonn, You get Eamonn! I do not farm out tours to other operators, I am all in with you! Expect my absolute best as that is what you …
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Private Tour of Ring of Kerry & Valentia Island
Relax and Enjoy the Trip of a LIFE TIME : Starting at your HOTEL or B&B or Locality: Travelling the Ring of Kerry : From Killarney : Killorglin …
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Dublin Airport Transfers: Luxury Transfer To/From DUB Per Vehicle
We provide one-way luxury airport transfers FROM and TO Dublin AIRPORT. No matter if you start your journey from the airport or any accommodation in …
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Boat Tour of Kinsale Harbour and Bandon River
Our boat tour, based in Kinsale, County Cork, provides family-friendly boat tours of Kinsale Harbour and the Bandon River. We offer mackerel and …
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Private Dublin Pub Tour (Walking Tour)
Avoid the tourist traps and fake 'Irish' pubs! Escape with the locals to learn how to savour a pint of Guinness, sample local Irish craft beer, rare …
View details ›Who is the castle near Athlone for?
Family and friends groups
Five bedrooms, a big kitchen with an island and a separate dining area give a group room to spread out under one roof.
Guests who value step-free access
A lift and a wheelchair-suitable path to it are listed; for special requirements, contact the property via the booking confirmation.
Lake and heritage explorers
Lough Ree, the Shannon, Athlone Castle and the monastery of Clonmacnoise are all close by.
Golf and spa breaks
Athlone Golf Club and The Spa at Hodson Bay are within about 2 km, according to Expedia.
Good to know before booking the castle near Athlone
- Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
- Pets are not allowed, and the property is non-smoking.
- Parking is available on site. The castle is let as a whole to one party and is privately hosted.
- The listing refers to six bathrooms in its title and five and a half in the amenity list, so check the exact layout on Expedia before you book.
- Guests with special accessibility needs should contact the property directly, using the details in the booking confirmation.
Find available dates at Castle near Athlone
Frequently asked questions
Can you rent the whole castle near Athlone?
Yes. It is listed on Expedia as an entire castle on 7 acres with five bedrooms, let as a private home to a single party.
Are pets allowed?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
Is there a lift or step-free access?
The listing mentions a lift, a wheelchair-suitable path and a wheelchair-suitable path to the lift. For special requirements, contact the property via the booking confirmation.
Is there parking at the castle?
Yes, parking is available on the property, according to Expedia.
What is there to see near the castle?
Athlone Golf Club and The Spa at Hodson Bay are within about 2 km, Lough Ree within about 5 km and Athlone Castle roughly 5 km away. The monastery of Clonmacnoise is about 15 km south.
Photos of the rooms, guest reviews and available dates are all in the listing for this castle on Expedia.
Dreaming of having a whole castle to yourselves in the heart of Ireland? Check availability and current prices for this castle near Athlone on Expedia.
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