Castle Ellen Wood

Local Photographer, Brendan Reaney, visited this deciduous wood in late October 2016. The wood could be called a ‘strip’ wood in that the road from Athenry to Tuam divides it symmetrically and thereby creates an attractive canopy of foliage over this busy route.

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Castle Ellen house and wood are situated two miles north of Athenry. It was built in 1810 by the Lambert Family who had by that time out-grown their original home a small castle which had been built in 1679. The impressive gated entrance gives way to a long winding avenue, shaded by native trees, which widens out to give you a stunning view of the house.

Notable visitors to Castle Ellen in its heyday include Sir Edward Carson, known as the architect of Norther Ireland, whose mother was Isabella Lambert. Carson spent many summer holidays in Castle Ellen House and it has often been speculated as to whether or not he was joined on any of these visits by his good friend from Trinity College, Oscar Wilde.

Castle Ellen was purchased by Míceál Keaney in 1974 in an advanced state of disrepair. It’s restoration has been a slow and painstaking labour of love in the years that followed with Míceal working tirelessly on the project.

The architectural Features of Castle Ellen include: Swept Limestone Entrance, Basement Wine Cellar with Brick-Arched Compartments, Decorative Plaster Work , Limestone Floor in the Basement Kitchen, Wide Variety of Open Fireplaces.

Outdoor Features of Castle Ellen Tower Castle with Dry Moat dating to 1679, Livestock Tunnel under Main Avenue.are the Tree lined avenue, Sunken Rockery, and Two-Acre Walled ,Garden. The Court Yard was built in 1875, 70-Foot Water Well with Pony-Driven Reciprocating Pump Grass Tennis Courts, and Orchard.