The romantically-titled Knights of Glin, a branch of the great Norman family, the FitzGeralds or Geraldines, Earls of Desmond, were granted extensive lands in County Limerick in the early 14th century by their Desmond overlords.

The Desmond family were all descended from the Norman Maurice FitzGerald, a companion-in-arms to Strongbow. Maurice was the son of Gerald of Windsor and his wife the Welsh Princess Nesta, Gerald having settled in Wales. She was famous for her many children including, among others, a son by King Henry I of England. As a result she became known as ‘the brood mare of the Normans’.

Rooms

The richly decorated ceiling, Irish furniture and paintings show the original splendour of
the castle interior.
The Reception Rooms consist of a sitting room (or Smoking Room) where one can sit and chat over a drink before or after dinner.The Library with its broken pedamented mahogany bookcase is situated below the rare flying staircase.

Guests can relax in the splendid Drawing Room with its Rossi marble mantelpiece – elegant surroundings in which to have morning coffee, afternoon tea or to enjoy coffee and liqueurs.