Irish Castle For Sale in Co. Tipperary

For a virtual tour of the castle please click here.

Highlights
– accommodation: tower house + country house
– bedrooms: 3+
– reception rooms: 3
– bathrooms: 3
– land: 20 acres (woodland, gardens, courtyard, yard, outbuildings)
– location: 10 mins to Cloughjordan, 1.5 hrs to Dublin, 1 hr to Galway and Shannon Airport
– status: listed national monument (smr)

Tucked deep within the tranquil beauty of the Irish midlands, Emmel Castle is one of County Offaly’s most striking historic estates. A harmonious blend of medieval fortification and Georgian refinement, this remarkable property includes a 15th-century tower house and a graceful 17th-century country house set on approximately 20 acres of private woodlands and gardens, in an area renowned for its scenic charm and historic depth.

RICH IN HISTORY AND CHARACTER
First constructed around 1450 as a stronghold of the O’Carroll Clan, Emmel Castle once stood among 25 castles under O’Carroll ownership across the region. In 1683, the elegant country house was added by “Long Anthony O’Carroll,” famously close to seven feet tall. Following the Cromwellian conquest, the estate was confiscated but later restored to the family during the monarchy’s return—eventually leaving O’Carroll ownership in the 18th century. From the battlements, rising 90 feet, panoramic views stretch across Offaly, Limerick, Clare, Galway, and Tipperary.

THE BUILDINGS
Tower House (15th Century)
– Rectangular-plan with circular stair turret (N-E angle)
– Pitched slate roof with castellated parapets and bartizans
– Stone chimneystacks, loop openings, corbels, mural passages
– Defensive machicolations, castellated porch
– Historic Great Hall, Music Room, and Art Studio
– Master Bedroom, Family Bathroom
– All rooms with period fireplaces and latticed windows

Country House (1683 with 19th-century alterations)
– Pitched slate roof, terracotta ridge tiles, rendered chimneystacks
– Timber sash windows with stucco surrounds
– Round-headed and square-headed door openings with stained glass, pilasters, fanlights
– Elaborate ceiling plasterwork in hallway
– Drawing Room & Living Room with historic fireplaces
– Kitchen, Butler’s Pantry, Laundry (Garden Level)
– Two Double Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms (First Floor)

OUTBUILDINGS AND FEATURES
– Historic stone outbuildings with slate roofs
– Walled garden to the south-west of the house
– Courtyard accessed by wrought iron gates
– Stone and brick outbuilding dated 1883
– Ashlar gate piers with carved caps and sweeping boundary walls
– Bellcote, date plaques, external stairs, and timber/metal doors with Gothic and Classical detailing

LOCATION AND LIFESTYLE
Set in a region steeped in heritage and natural beauty, Emmel Castle offers an exceptional rural lifestyle. The area is ideal for country pursuits including equestrian activities, fishing, shooting, water sports, and hiking.

Nearby
– Local shops, traditional pubs, and live music venues
– Fine dining within easy reach
– Historic attractions and walking trails

Distances
– 10 mins to Cloughjordan
– 20 mins to Portumna
– 1 hour to Galway and Shannon Airport
– 1.5 hours to Dublin and Dublin Airport

SERVICES
– Water from private bore well
– Electricity
– Broadband
– Oil fired central heating
– Drainage by septic tank.

OUTSIDE
– Private gardens
– Lawned areas
– Walled in garden/orchard
– Stone built outbuildings which are suitable for conversation in to self contained accommodation (subject to planning permission).

BER Details
BER Exempt