Cregg Castle, the last fortified castle to be built west of the Shannon, sits in a peaceful and tranquil spot on 67 hectares of wildlife preserve. This is a very lived-in, casual, informal property, and there are no strict rules here. Guests may walk in the woods and spot the wildlife, or go farther afoot and take a walk by the river. Breakfasts, which include free-range eggs and home-baked bread, are served until noon, and dinners are served in the Great Hall with its huge log fire. The emphasis here is on relaxation, and guests are encouraged to get to know each other, enjoying conversation and the occasional musical evening. This is an ideal place for those who want to be involved in Irish music. Owners Pat and Ann Marie are experienced musicians and are delighted to play with or for guests. Most of the bedrooms are of a good size and have comfortable beds. This is a unique property with many original features, such as the huge locks and security bars, the foot scraper with the rampant black cat of the Blake's crest and the shutters on the big windows. The Blake crest is also on the fireplace with its black marble. Outside in the courtyard is a Queen Anne bell tower; in the inner yard is the original forge and the remains of an oven for firing pottery. A spring well provides the castle with water.

Cregg Castle's welcome, as described in their brochure, is exactly right "Hail Guest, we ask not what thou art; if friend we greet thee hand and heart; if stranger, such no longer be, our friendly faith shall conquer thee." Cregg Castle is a place to capture Ireland's history and culture. Visa, Access accepted.

Owner: The Broderick Family

Rooms 2 double, 1 twin, 1 family, 1 single; 4 en suite
Open March - October

From Bed & Breakfast Ireland, the independent guide to over 400 B&B's throughout Ireland.

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Bed and Breakfast Ireland the comprehensive guide to Irish B and Bs

A best-seller in Ireland and a real insider's guide, Bed and Breakfast Ireland has been continuously in print since 1991. The latest edition has been completely revised and updated. "Bed and Breakfast Ireland" covers more than 400 of Ireland's best bed and breakfast accommodations (b and bs), including guest houses, small hotels, country mansions, private homes, and farmhouses. Each location has been visited by the authors, who provide informative, personal descriptions, as well as logistical information such as rates, addresses, and phone and fax numbers--all accompanied by a selection of helpful maps. This comprehensive and charming guide to Irish B and Bs will help make any holiday in Ireland a trip to remember.
Bed and Breakfast Ireland has been researched and written by Elsie Dillard and Susan Causin, former travel agents with 40 years of experience between them. They divide their time between the Britain, Ireland and the US.

First class guide to Ireland's bed and breakfast lodging

Bed and Breakfast Ireland reviewed in Chicago Tribune
Maybe you'll stay in the place described as a pre-Famine wisteria-covered farmhouse -one of several overnight options in Westport, County Mayo. Or maybe you'll opt for the large Georgian mansion just beyond an iron gateway in Ballymote, County Sligo. Maybe you'll stay in one of the other 400 or so accommodations in this revised and expanded version of the book (Bed and Breakfast Ireland) that first hit the United States in 1991. Only an occasional line drawing interrupts the text; and in the back of the 319 page book, regional maps-which include ferry routes-cover the whole of the Irish Isle, from Derry and Belfast in the north to the Dingle Peninsula and Cork in the south. Each lodging entry ends with the names of the owners, season of operation and number of rooms. This review refers to an earlier edition of Bed and Breakfast Ireland as is the extract above. The latest edition of Dillard and Causin's Bed and Breakfast Ireland contains even more entries.

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