Location:
Co. Tipperary, Ireland
About:
If you love adventure, what could be more exciting than travelling through time back to the 16th century in our romantic stone tower? One of 18 castles in the area originally built by the powerful Gaelic O’Kennedy Clan, The Black Castle is dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop, proudly dominating the landscape.
Accessed by an ancient stone spiral staircase, once you open the door and step into The Great Hall, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into your very own fairytale. The Great Hall really is the most magical space for an elopement ceremony, retaining all its original features including a beautiful vaulted ceiling and an impressive open fireplace. To evoke an authentic 16th century atmosphere, The Great Hall (and spiral stairs) has only candlelight and firelight for illumination with abundant candles and firewood provided.
Our “kingdom” also consists of 13 rugged acres of land, bordered by a crystal-clear creek, forestry and woodlands and the secluded, private location offers an array of indoor/outdoor options for you to capture the most magical images of your special day.
The castle is located close to Lough Derg, in the picturesque rolling hills of Ireland’s lake district with quaint villages within easy driving distance. There are some wonderful, characterful pubs and award-winning restaurants/eateries within a 15 minute radius.
Website:
authenticmedievalexperience.
Email:
[email protected]
Social:
Instagram: @theblackcastle
Testimonials:
“So amazing and authentically medieval. Thank you so much Sonja and Kevin. The stay here after our Handfasting was truly magical! So much love and effort was put into bringing this beautiful tower back to life. You both have a great spirit about you and a keen eye for detail. The positive energy felt in this home is a direct result.” – J&A
“If I could give this experience 10 stars I would. It’s hard to express how special being in this place is… all the history, combined with all the obvious labors of love that Sonja and Kevin have put into it in order to provide a once in a lifetime experience for the rest of us is just mind boggling. I keep pinching myself – and I’ve done a lot of traveling in my time. I am so grateful, and Sonja has been amazing (and then some) from start to finish. INCREDIBLE!!!” – SR
“This is one of the great experiences on offer anywhere. Having done a lot of outrageous adventures, this is right at the top. An absolutely stunning renovation of a 16th century tower, the physical space is matched by the wonderful hospitality of Sonja, Kevin , and Tilly. You will never forget your stay at the Black Castle. Please, do yourself a favour and visit. Honestly one of the world’s great places, with some of the world’s best hosts. Incredible.” – R&A
“This place….this place is breathtaking. There aren’t enough positive adjectives in the English language that I can leave here. Words just don’t do it justice. The castle is amazing – majestic. Kevin and Sonja put so much love into restoring a relic, and you can feel the spirit of it throughout the building. Not only was the castle and its amenities incredible – Kevin and Sonja were incredible people. They were amazing hosts that my partner and I now consider friends. Their hospitality is unmatched. I don’t want to go through and explain every personal touch they left for us – I’d rather the traveler be surprised. I can’t recommend this place enough. Amazing, amazing experience.” – B&V
“A truly magical experience! When you walk through the doors of the black castle you step back 500 years in time. The hosts have perfected every detail on the furnishings and interior to make your stay amazing! Best of all is they are the friendliest most hospitable people you will meet. This was the best night of our honeymoon trip, like a medieval fairytale come true. It is an experience we will never forget. If you are looking for a unique and authentic castle experience this is a must on your list!” – G&D
“This place is absolutely a stunning labor of love. The care Sonja, Kevin (and Tilly!) have for this place shines in every moment of your stay. The space is unique, beautiful, restful and by far the BEST Airbnb experience we’ve had in the many years we’ve been globetrotting with this platform. We could not have wished for better hosts or a better place to visit. How special to meet such warm and welcoming people and to experience such an amazing stay, If you’re lucky enough to snag a nights stay here you won’t regret it, it will be the best night of your trip – it certainly was for us.” – M&A
“This was a DREAM stay for my husband and I celebrating our ten year anniversary. We both love the romanticism of castles and The Black Castle is perfection. Sonja and Kevin are artists and we couldn’t stop talking about their immense talent and vision in restoring this beauty. The antique decor has been tastefully curated and beautifully restored. You truly feel as though you have been dropped in medieval times without any of the “gimmick” that so often accompanies celebration of that period….” – B&Z
Photography Credits
A Clothes Horse
Andreas Riemenschneider
Again We Say Rejoice
