The village of Shrule is 7 minutes drive or approximately 3 miles (5 km). Shrule is a small parish with a rich history, on the Mayo-Galway border approx. 25km from Galway City. Shrule Castle, on the Black river at the Mayo border, was part of a manor granted by Richard de Burgo to his son John in 1308. You can still see the ruins of six Norman castles in the area. Pre Norman life is also in evidence with nearly 30 ring forts and a crannog which was typical of forts from The Bronze Age through to the 17th century. In Norman times, Shrule was designated as a market town and stayed as such until the twentieth century with the last fairs and marts held in the 1960s. Nowadays there is a small supermarket, a catholic church

Connemara is an ideal day trip from Lisdonagh Manor and our recommended route is to travel Cong to Killary taking in the changing views and vantage points for gorgeous landscape photos. Stop at Kylemore Abbey for lunch and a tour of the romantic castle style house, which was converted to an abbey by the Benedictine Nuns and still features one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in Ireland. Work off your lunch with a climb up Diamond Hill in Connemara National park affording fabulous views over Kylemore itself. Shop for local crafts in Avoca enroute to Clifden and wind your way through Ballyconneely and the fishing village of Roundstone before making your way back to Lisdonagh.

Both Inisboffin and the famed Aran Islands are highly recommended day trips during your stay at Lisdonagh Manor House. You can catch the ferry or fly with transport to the Connemara terminals available from Galway city centre. Experience remote island life, bracing fresh air and Irish tradition at its best.

Archaeological Monuments

The local area around Lisdonagh is rich in monuments of interest, ranging from prehistoric burial cairns and Iron Age stone enclosures to Castles and monastic sites.

Ross Errilly Friary

The Ross Errilly Friary is a medieval Franciscan friary located about a mile to the northwest of Headford, County Galway, Ireland. It is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country.

Kinlough Castle

The magnificent ruin of Kinlough Castle and church is near to Lisdonagh Country House towards Shrule. The castle is well signposted and accessible after a small walk. Please note the ruin is located on private lands.