This castle has had long standing traditions with Connemara for hundreds of years. Many famous people had connections with it including the Chieftains of the O'Flaherty Clan and The Pirate Queen of Connemara, Grace O'Malley who also lived there and married Donal O'Flaherty in 1546, Dick Martin who founded the RSPCA and His Royal Highness The Maharajah Ranjitsirnji - The Prince of Cricketers.

The castle is more than 700 years old The lands of the O'Flaherty family extended to near the city of Galway to the east of the area and to the north west to County Mayo. The chieftains were entitled the Lords of Connaught and also ruled from another six castles. Grace O'Malley O'Flaherty was introduced to Elizabeth I in 1593. The ladies are reputed to have conversed in Latin because the monarch spoke no Irish and Grace no English. Her reputation as a pirate is well known and when her husband was brutally murdered she declared herself the head of his clan. She died at the age of 70 in the same year that Queen Elizabeth died.

Its name means "The settlement of the Island" - in Irish Baile Na hinse. It is situated in the middle of the peaceful Ballynahinch Estate. The estate has an area of 450 acres of breathtaking clear lakes, leafy woods. Beautiful gardens and sparkling rivers. It lies between Recess and Roundstone in the county of Connemara. It is a sporting paradise and a haven of relaxation for visitors.

As the end of the 16th Century approached the castle was beginning to deteriorate as the once noble habitat of the O’Flaherty’s. It had many owners and residents over the centuries.

The house which graces the estate now was erected by the father of Richard Martin during the 18th Century. It was used as an inn and today is renowned as a welcoming hotel, well known for its hospitality, for the excellent cuisine and its spectacular location.