Castletownshend

Bicycle trip in the South West of Ireland 1996

Something was evidently going on in the town, the streets were hung with coloured streamers advertising Guinness and Carlsberg and filled up with cars. Descending the awfully steep main street down to the small harbour, we discovered that the event was the yearly regatta, drawing 100s of people to watch the rowing. By this time we were pretty tired, and ready to pay almost anything to avoid going up-hill again. The answer presented itself as the local castle, situated on the waterfront close to the harbour. This place which has been owned by the Townshend family for many generations has been converted into a guest house by the present Salter-Townshend family. B&B was somewhat more expensive (26 pounds), but our room was very large with a marvellous view of the water, so we could sit and watch the last stages of the regatta while having tea. A propos Victorian bathrooms, here was the genuine article, but with no frills at all. Dinner at a pleasant pub, Mary Anne's, up the main street. This one-day event is without doubt the busiest day of their year, but they still managed to serve a good meal at a reasonable price. Walking back to our castle, we inspected the church which was entirely dominated by mementoes of the Townshend family, and the surrounding houses and walls with much wonderful stone work.