Guests here are not expected to be sociable, but all are welcome to be. Wandering around the castle and the grounds is encouraged, but so is taking off on day trips to all parts of western Ireland. It's not uncommon for guests from all over the world to sip wine and talk all night in front of the turf fire -- but the place is so big that the night owls don't disturb the people who go to bed early. The small staff is welcoming and always helpful. The rooms come in small, large and huge. The breakfasts are superb and are served until the last guest is out of bed. The dinners are glorious. Pat and Ann Marie Broderick will introduce you to the dogs (who greet you out front), to the kitchen and cooler (for the Guinness you bought at the store), and to traditional Irish music (and frequently some famous Irish musicians). The location of the castle, about 20 minutes from downtown Galway, and only 10 minutes from major roads, means it's easy to get to wherever you want to go in western Ireland. Galway itself is Ireland's third largest city, but the main shopping area is in a walking district that's closed to auto traffic. It features street singers, musicians, mimes and jugglers. There's a street market on Saturdays and marvelous restaurants open every day. Also downtown is St. Nicholas Collegiate Church (Church of Ireland), where Christopher Columbus is said to have prayed before he set off to discover America. Here are suggested day trips: The Burren, Connemara, County Clare -- and, of course, Cong, setting of John Wayne's "The Quiet Man"; and finally Westport in County Mayo, home of Matt Malloy's Pub, he of the Chieftains. There is too much to see and do in western Ireland to spend time packing and unpacking every day. Stay at Cregg Castle at least three nights. You'll be glad you did.

My wife and I have visited Ireland for a month at a time in four of the past five years. Cregg Castle has been the highlight of every visit, so much so that we once spent our entire vacation there. The castle itself and the surrounding grounds are altogether grand. (I'm 6'5" and actually felt a bit on the short side in their spacious rooms.) The front side looks out onto lovely pasture land complete with sheep. The back looks out onto a working farm with chickens and sheep. Children of all ages love the place, and adults who enjoy conversation and music, or simply a quite chair in which to read, more often than not spend their entire evenings near the turf fire in the appropriately named great room. The owners, Pat and Ann-Marie Broderick are themselves accomplished musicians (pipes and bodhran respectively) and there are frequently guest musicians. (Every year we come home with cassettes and CD's from the Castle, not just because the music is first class but because they evoke those very special memories from Cregg Castle. The full and deeply satisfying Irish breakfasts included in the price may last you until dinner. Gourmet dinners may be ordered at a reasonable extra cost. We're clearly not alone in our admiration for the place: every year there are repeat guests from all over America and all over Europe. There are also many guests who have come for the first time because of the strong recommendations of family and friends. You now have mine. Myron Jones

Absolutely great - a taste of genuine Irish hospitality. Four of us arrived at Cregg Castle for the weekend without knowing what to expect, and from the moment we got there we had a lovely time. The first thing that was immediatley obvious is that we weren't being treated as customers, we were visitors and Pat and Anne Marie showed us where everything was, had a cup of tea with us andinsisted that we make ourselves at home. Then they showed us our rooms which were big clean and had great views over the grounds. Cregg Castle is a one of a kind. It isn't a 5 star hotel, and it's not a B&B in a 4 bedroom semi-detached house in a Galway suburb. The castle grounds were lovely to amble around - and it is an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures. Pat and Anne Marie are lovely - the music they played was great, and I'll be going back again on my next trip home in 2003.

We did not know at arrival, but by the time we left we not only had the best experience of our lives --but we gained friends for life. The grounds, the staff, the food, the music, the food, the rooms, the food, the atmosphere, did I mention the food? The total experience was better than we could have wished for. We stayed a few extra days and then stayed a few more when we traveled back through from the north. We will stay everytime we are near Galway in the future.The staff was extremley helpful with everything and every evening we got to come home to our own castle with a fire in the Great Room to warm us up, music for our souls, and friendships that will last for all time.A truly GRAND time for my wife and I--Thank you Pat & Ann Marie.