The Luxury Edition: Glin Castle

Just off the Wild Atlantic Way, a picturesque road that coasts along the west of Ireland, lies the majestic Glin Castle. Located in an area known for its raw beauty — and exceptional hunting, shooting, and fishing — the property has belonged to the Knights of Glin since the 14th century. Fierce warriors who fought hard to protect their land, their war cry “Shanid Abu” is incorporated in an ornate plasterwork coat of arms inside the house.

Today all is peaceful here. Neoclassical reliefs depict dolphins — which play in the River Shannon — roses, and corn: symbols of the house, garden, and adjoining farm. To the front of the property, blue water invites you to bathe. At the back, fragrant lavender and jasmine bustle at the door and a swing sways under an ancient acorn tree. Bees buzz in the Edwardian kitchen garden that provides food for the house, while the dairy farm is worked as a commercial venture.

Glin Castle’s 380 acres of pastoral land is enhanced with 25 acres of mature pleasure grounds with manicured formal gardens and delightful informal gardens that seamlessly link to the property’s wider parkland and woodland walks.

The castle has superb interiors with decorative plasterwork and notable collections of Irish furniture and paintings.

The front hall is adorned with a screen of Corinthian columns, a Neoclassical ceiling, a great “flying” staircase, and a gracefully decorated Venetian window overlooking the gardens.

The house is painted in gloriously vibrant colors, and stuffed with family heirlooms and antiques collected by Desmond, a Harvard graduate and art historian, who was once a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

“It’s the most romantic place you could imagine,” says Madam FitzGerald, who met her late husband, Desmond, the 29th Knight of Glin, here more than 45 years ago. “I remember the first time I saw the castle; it’s a magical place.” Together they restored his ancestral home, adding modern bathrooms to the 21 bedrooms, among other improvements. For a time they ran the property as an exclusive hotel – Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull have stayed here — and hosted fashion shows, lectures, and charity events.

While the main body of the house has been restored to its former glory, the older section — a thatched two-story building that served as the original castle — has been converted into a cozy family wing. “It has been the most amazing place for family gatherings and other parties. I hope that the person who buys this house will respect and understand it and the area, and have as much fun here as we had,” says Madam FitzGerald. “I’d love the antiques and the house to be sold together, and for the next owner to invest in the infrastructure and the farm so the property can retain its integrity.”

The drawing room’s intricate architectural elements evoke the grandeur of the Georgian period.

Corinthian columns and ornate plasterwork in original colors date from 1795, and make for an impressive reception room.

Despite its grandeur, this is a warm and inviting property, with evidence of family life and fun everywhere.

Among the many highlights are the fabulous double flying staircase, which leads to huge Venetian windows overlooking the south-facing garden, and the library with its cleverly concealed doorway and fine marble fireplace.

Antique arms and 18th-century artwork grace the main staircase.

The ramparts complete the fantastical ambience, having been added to the house in 1820 by an amorous knight, who, the story goes, met with his lovers in follies in the grounds.

Photography by Simon Watson