Ballynahinch Castle sits at the meeting point of a salmon river and Ballynahinch Lake, in the bog valley south of the Twelve Bens. It is the most atmospheric place to stay in Connemara: a proper castle with turreted towers, ancient oaks along the river bank, and red deer on the hillside above. Fishing rights on the Ballynahinch River — one of the finest wild salmon rivers in Ireland — go with certain rooms.
Non-residents can visit for afternoon tea or a meal in the restaurant, which makes it one of the better excuses for exploring the lake and river grounds. The walk along the river takes about an hour and gives excellent views back to the castle. In spring, the woodland below the castle is carpeted in wild garlic and bluebells.