History of the hotel

The old front door

The Abbeyglen Castle was built in 1832 by John d'Arcy of Clifden Castle. It was leased to the then parish priest as Glenowen House.

In 1854 it was bought by the Irish Church Mission Society for use as a Protestant orphanage where girls were trained for domestic service.

In 1953 it became a mixed orphanage housing seven boys and four girls. It was supported by donations from local patrons plus various investments. The Connemara Orphan Nurseries operated until 1955, when it closed due to financial difficulties. After its closure the building fell derelict and was home to cattle and sheep for some time!

The property was purchased by Mr. Padraig Joyce of Clifden and he and his wife operated the Glenowen House Hotel in the 1960s. The Hughes family took over in 1969 and have developed the Abbeyglen Castle into one of Connemara’s most prestigious hotels.