The Great Fishing Houses of Ireland

Lodging Locations and Options
While all twelve of the Great Houses offer excellent services, amenities, and accommodations, prices vary between each destination. Regardless of your budget, we can create the ideal itinerary with a custom package that includes a visit to two, three, or even four different operations throughout a single trip. 

ASHFORD CASTLE
The magnificent five-star Ashford Castle is set on 350 acres on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. Dating back to 1228, the castle has entered a new chapter in its history as part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. With 83 spectacular rooms, suites, a Lakeside Cottage, a wealth of activities, and plenty of thoughtful touches, guests will enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale. Activities offered at Ashford Castle include golf, tennis, fishing, boat cruises, falconry, horse riding, archery, and clay pigeon shooting.

BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE HOTEL & ESTATE
Ballynahinch Castle is a magnificent hotel in Connemara, surrounded by the Twelve Bens Mountains, rivers, and numerous lakes. There are 48 bedrooms and suites in the castle and main hotel area, each individually furnished with views of the river, mountains, or gardens. Located on a 450-acre estate, on-site activities include over 10 miles of walking trails, clay shooting, boat trips, wildlife viewing, and access to prime woodcock shooting habitat on 33,000 acres. Ballynahinch Castle is open year-round and is regarded as one of the finest salmon fisheries in Ireland. In addition, it was voted one of the top ten hotels in the UK and Ireland by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (October 2016).

BALLYVOLANE HOUSE
Ballyvolane house is an award-winning Irish historic country house. There are six guest bedrooms at Ballyvolane, all of which are spacious, individually furnished, tastefully decorated, and extremely comfortable. Each room features en-suite bathrooms and plenty of natural light pouring through the large double-sash windows. Magnificent views overlook the formal terraced south and north gardens, ancient trees, parkland, and lakes. “Glamping” is also available for the more adventurous and romantic types in the gardens from May to September. Delicious home-grown food is taken communally in the grand dining room each night. 

CAMILLAUN LODGE
This small, intimate Irish operation features four guest rooms accommodating 8-10 people. The lodge offers a secluded riverside setting with direct access to Lough Corrib. It is a short, five-minute walk to Oughterard town, and with Connemara nearby, it is an ideal location for anglers, walkers, and nature lovers. A floodlit tennis court, hot tub, game room, and mature garden are all amenities offered through the lodge. The menu emphasizes healthy eating, locally produced meats, free-range eggs, garden vegetables, and home baking. 

DELPHI LODGE
One of the most famous fishing operations in all of Europe, Delphi is a delightful 1830s country house and fishing lodge located in one of the most spectacular settings in Connemara. It offers old-school accommodations, magnificent scenery, great food, and total tranquility. Situated in a wild and unspoiled valley of extraordinary beauty, the 1000-acre Delphi estate is one of Ireland’s hidden treasures. The historic lodge, famous as a holiday hideaway, is surrounded by the tallest mountains in Connemara and overlooks the lakes and rivers of the Delphi valley: waters famous for salmon and seatrout.

LOUGH INAGH LODGE HOTEL
Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel is an enchanting country retreat set amidst breathtaking scenery in Connemara in the West of Ireland. The hotel is located in a traditional country house, with fishing, shooting, and numerous other outdoor pursuits available locally or on the estate. The hotel is set snugly in the aptly named Recess of Connemara. By no means a small house, Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel is dwarfed by the magnificent scale of the landscape. Lough Inagh offers 13 tastefully appointed rooms, five of which are furnished to deluxe standards. Originally a fishing lodge of the Berridge family, the hotel prides itself on its traditional menus based on wild game, fish, seafood, and other local produce. In addition to fishing and shooting (in season), activities include pony-trekking, hill climbing, and walking. 

LOUNGUEVILLE HOUSE
Longueville House is a magnificent Georgian Manor House Hotel overlooking Cork’s Blackwater Valley. Guests can enjoy superior accommodations and superb fishing, golfing, and horseback riding. The Longueville House Fishery comprises seven salmon fly fishing beats spaced out over a two-mile stretch on one of Ireland’s finest salmon Rivers – the Munster Blackwater. The house was built in 1720 and stands at the center of a 500-acre wooded estate. The renowned kitchen is supervised by William O’Callaghan, who obtains his produce and meat from the estate’s working farm.

MOUNT FALCON ESTATE
An 1876 Manor House designed by James Franklin Fuller in a Victorian Gothic fashion. It currently boasts 32 bedrooms in the main hotel, along with 30 separate lodges suitable for families or groups of anglers. The estate owns two miles of double bank fishing on one of Ireland’s most prolific salmon fishing rivers – the River Moy. An on-site, three-acre trout lake offers fishing year-round, and the great lakes of Conn and Cullen that border the estate offer wild brown trout and pike fishing. Mount Falcon offers a dedicated heated rod room with drying facilities, with the option to use on-site fishing gear. Mount Falcon Estate is an anglers paradise, combining the finest cuisine with high-end accommodations.

RENVYLE HOUSE
Renvyle House Hotel & Resort is a 70-bedroom, family-run hotel located on a 150-acre estate. It is a historic hotel on the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way. Set amongst mountains, lakes, and the sea, Renvyle has a private lake with good numbers of wild brown trout. Saltwater fishing is possible on the beach outside the back door, and Head Chef, Tim O’Sullivan, is always happy to prepare your saltwater catch. Renvyle has its own beach, beautiful gardens, woodlands, and an outdoor heated swimming pool and hot-tub with views over the Atlantic. Renvyle is known for award-winning food, excellent service, and incredibly friendly staff. 

ROCK HOUSE
A sporting lodge built in the West of Ireland in 1838, Rock House welcomes anglers and non-anglers alike. Visitors can enjoy a private 100-acre park with over 110 species of exotic trees and plants. This vast country house is ideally located not only on the shores of the Atlantic and on the Wild Atlantic Way but also near the Great Western Greenway and Ballycroy National Park. Rock House is one of County Mayo’s top locations for salmon, trout, and sea-run browns, and Rock House owns the fishing rights on the upper beat of the Owenduff river and all of the Bellaveeny, a small inshore river. Both the Owenduff and Bellaveeny rivers are fly fishing only. In addition to an authentic wilderness fishing experience, Rock House also offers other activities like guided hill walks, painting workshops, walking on the beautiful beaches of Achill and Mulranny, and golf on several nearby courses. 

SCREEBE HOUSE
Located on the wild Atlantic coast of Ireland, this Victorian fishing lodge (built in 1865) has long been famous for its hospitality, comfort, and fine cuisine. The lodge is located in the Connemara region, overlooking an inlet from the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by countless lakes, rivers, imposing mountains, moors, and forests. This beautiful house boasts a large terrace and landscaped gardens that offer a magnificent view over Camus Bay and the original harbor. Screebe House has been family owned for many years, which is reflected in the careful attention to detail on all levels. All of the rooms are individually furnished with exquisite antique interiors. It was originally built as a hunting and fishing lodge by the Berridge family (the original owners of Ballinahinch Estate) in 1865. In 2010 the house was thoroughly renovated and returned to its former Victorian glory. With six double rooms, Screebe offers sleeping accommodations for fifteen people.

Food and Beverages
At most of the Great Fishing Houses, breakfast is included in all packages, as well as lunch for all fishing days. Some houses offer a full restaurant service with your party sitting at its own table, while others are known for formal sit-down meals where all guests eat together at a large table, perhaps with a set menu. All Great Fishing Houses have a wine and beer license unless otherwise indicated.

Typical Length of Stay
All packages are completely customized, and trips of any duration can be arranged. Yellow Dog recommends to book your trip well in advance (at least 6-8 months before arrival) to guarantee availability during the prime dates of the season (March through October). While shorter itineraries can be accommodated, we recommend that anglers try to book at least a week-long package to include two, three, or even four Great Houses locations in an overall trip itinerary.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
The entire country of Ireland provides excellent opportunities for non-anglers, couples, and families to enjoy themselves during their stay. While all of the Great Fishing Houses operations have established guided angling programs, they also offer an incredible line-up of non-angling activities. They include hiking, golf, exploring small Irish villages, live music, museums, cathedrals, kayaking and canoeing, and much more. As most trips begin and end in Dublin (Shannon or Limerick are also options) there are countless things to see and do in the city. 

Internet / Communications
Most of the Great Fishing Houses offer very reliable Wi-Fi connections, and cell service is great throughout Ireland.

Deposit and Cancellation Policies
Each house has its own policy on booking deposits and cancellations, and Yellow Dog will provide this information during the booking process.

Credit Cards
Most houses accept Visa and Mastercard. Some also accept American Express and Diners Club. Please check with Yellow Dog for all on-location payment options.

How To Get There
International arrival options include Dublin, Shannon, Limerick, and Belfast. Dublin is the most popular entry point, as most major commercial airlines offer regular non-stop flights to Dublin from many major U.S. cities. Depending on your itinerary, you can either rent a car and tour Ireland by road (moving between different locations and fishing areas), or Yellow Dog will be happy to arrange a shuttle service or a private driver. Note that the roads in Ireland are very narrow – especially in the more rural areas of the country. Narrow, winding roads and the fact that you steer and drive on opposite sides from the US can make things a bit interesting for some drivers! Give this some consideration when planning transfers between destinations. Ireland is a tiny country–it only takes a few hours to drive from one end to the other, and it’s a scenic and cultural experience with its rolling green hills and warm Irish culture.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Anglers can arrive and depart on any day of the week based on itinerary details, and trips of any length can be arranged. It is also possible to add on a shorter fishing package or a stay at only one or two of the Great Fishing Houses for those visiting Ireland for non-angling activities and tours.

Documents Required
All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of trip dates. There are no visa requirements as long as you intend to stay for less than three months. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way. One thing to note is that Ireland is the only place in Europe with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facilities. So whether you’re flying back to the US from Dublin or Shannon, you can take care of immigration and customs before you board rather than stateside, where you would otherwise have to line up with hundreds of incoming passengers.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations and ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Ireland has offered productive and consistent sport fishing opportunities for Atlantic Salmon, sea-run brown trout, and indigenous brown trout for centuries. A browse through the historical catch record books at many of the Great Fishing Houses shows how good the fishing has been and can be on numerous rivers and lakes throughout the country. 

Most fishing for Atlantic Salmon is done traditionally – swinging small, classic-style salmon flies with two-handed rods. Single-handed rods are acceptable and applicable on some smaller salmon rivers and lakes. Many of the same loughs (lakes) and rivers that hold salmon are also home to either sea-run brown trout, wild indigenous browns, or both. Fishing techniques and tackle for browns can include everything from streamers to salmon flies to dries, depending on the time of year and season. 

With many of the Great Fishing House locations offering river fishing, both trout and salmon scenarios are based on the “beat” system. This typically means that anglers and their guide (ghillie) are assigned a morning section and a different afternoon section. The size of the beats is usually substantial, and there is plenty of water to fish during each session, ensuring a solitary, uncrowded angling experience on some of the country’s most productive waters and pools.

+ Listen to this WAYPOINTS Podcast: Fly Fishing in Ireland – Part 1 of 2 with Dominic O’Moron of “The Great Fishing Houses of Ireland”

Equipment
Many of the Great Fishing Houses offer a variety of rods, reels, waders, and tackle available to rent or use. Flies are also available for purchase in most locations. If you plan on fishing for more than a day or two, we recommend that anglers bring their own waders, boots, rain gear, rods, and reels. For equipment, 5 to 7-weight rods are considered ideal for trout fishing scenarios, with 6 to 8-weight two-handed rods more typical for Atlantic salmon. Floating lines for both trout and salmon are almost always used, but a variety of sink tips and heads can be effective when swinging for salmon. 

Fishing Licenses
In Ireland, it is necessary to procure a fishing license and fish tags when fishing for salmon. No license is required for trout fishing. Licenses can be purchased at or arranged by each house.

Fishing Details Specific to the Great Fishing Houses
Many of the Great Fishing Houses offer fishing opportunities on private waters, and this charge (along with guide services) is usually included in the overall trip package. Other operations are located on the great free lakes of Ireland. Some restrict fishing to fly only while others permit a variety of methods. Good fishing obviously requires the right conditions, but even when nature is not being kind, you will find that the Irish warmth and hospitality are always common factors.

ASHFORD CASTLE
The fishing on Lough Corrib is mainly for wild brown trout, but there are also Ferox trout and salmon. The trout season begins in March with the famous mayfly season providing great action with the “dap” (a traditional Irish method that brings fish up on large dry flies). Good dry action then usually continues from mid-May through August, depending on the hatch and the weather conditions. The Cong River – which flows directly in front of Ashford – boasts one of the best runs of Atlantic salmon in Ireland, with wild and hatchery fish runs. The salmon runs usually begin in late March, and there is a prolific run of grilse from late May through July.

BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE
The Ballynahinch River is two and a half miles long and drains a huge catchment of several lakes and smaller rivers. All the fish entering this massive system must first pass through the Ballynahinch fishery. In addition to the river, the fishery extends up through Loughs Inagh, Derryclare, and Ballynahinch. Private access to the river is excellent, as the road runs parallel to the water for almost its entire length. Footbridges and stiles (casting platforms and walls) add to the ease of access. Casting is facilitated by some 72 casting piers along the river. There are seven salmon and four sea trout beats on the river. The beats are fished in strict rotation, and catch records are readily available. For less experienced anglers, fly casting instruction is available for half or full-day sessions with experienced ghillies.

BALLYVOLANE HOUSE
Ballyvolane has over ten miles of salmon and trout fishing on some of the best-known beats on the Munster Blackwater, including Killavullen, Ballyhooly, Carrigacunna, Kilbarry downstream of Careysville Weir, and Gairha at Ballyduff. This allows for a wide variety of fishable waters, with the upper beats offering the best prospects of a salmon early in the season and the lower beats usually producing in low-water summer conditions. Ballyvolane House also has three trout lakes and access to wild brown trout fishing on the nearby River Bride. Gillies are available and highly recommended for those new to the river, as they provide detailed information on where fish lie and the best flies and fishing methods throughout the season.

CAMILLAUN LODGE
Camillaun Angling Centre and Guest House is located in the village of Oughterard on the western shore of Lough Corrib – one of Europe’s most important wild brown trout fisheries. The trout season extends from mid-February to the end of September. Angling methods include wet and dry fly fishing, dapping, and trolling. There are boats and outboards for hire for DIY anglers, and ghillies can be arranged for guided sessions. The lodge is conveniently situated with great access to many of the famous Connemara fisheries.

DELPHI LODGE
The Delphi fishery is one of the most sought-after salmon fisheries in Ireland. It consists of a river and two lakes – all fished in rotation on a half-daily basis. The river is famous for its water’s clarity, making it fishable with flies almost every day of the long season from February to September. Spring fish usually start running even before the season opens, and the grilse start running in June, with the peak of that run in late July and August.

LOUGH INAGH LODGE HOTEL
The Lough Inagh fishery offers spring salmon fishing from March, grilse beginning in July, and sea trout and brown trout fishing on the lakes through the end of September. Lough Inuagh stands against a magnificent backdrop of mountains and ancient oak woodlands in a beautiful valley. There are seven river beats in addition to the lough fishing, with experienced ghillies and tackle available at the lodge.

LOUNGUEVILLE HOUSE
The Longueville House private fishery extends over two miles on the Munster Blackwater – one of Ireland’s finest salmon rivers. The house also has access to several other beats on the river. The river gets a run of spring salmon in February and March, grilse in July, and autumn fish in August and September. Along with salmon, the river holds an excellent stock of brown trout, and anglers can take advantage of the river’s prolific seasonal fly hatches. Wading is the most popular method for fishing the river. There is rental gear available and experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the river.

MOUNT FALCON ESTATE
Mount Falcon offers direct access to one of the most prestigious and best-known salmon sections on the River Moy. It is also one of the most prolific regarding the number of fish caught. This fishery offers two miles of double-bank private fishing with eleven unique pools, including Connor’s Gap and the famous Wall Pool. Access to the pools is mainly by boat. Private gillies are available for all guided fishing days. In addition to the salmon opportunities on Mount Falcon’s home waters, there is sea trout fishing on the Moy Estuary, brown trout fishing on Lough Conn, and opportunities to fish the famous Ridge Pool and Cathedral Beat in the heart of nearby Ballina.

RENVYLE HOUSE
Guests fishing out of Renvyle House have numerous angling options: Rusheenduff Lake, the Kylemore Fishery (including the Abbey Lough, Pollacappul Lough, Kylemore Lough, four kilometers of the Dawros River), and the Culfin Fishery (including Lough Muck, Lough Fee, and the Culfin River). The program at Renvyle is fly fishing only, and experienced ghillies are available for all guided days. Other famous fisheries in the immediate area include Lough Inagh, Delphi, and the Ballynahinch fishery. All fisheries are within a 15-minute drive of Renvyle House Hotel.

ROCK HOUSE
The main Rock House fishery consists of seven miles at the headwaters of the Owenduff River, wild brown trout fishing on several hill loughs (lakes), and sea trout fishing on the Ballyveeney River. The Owenduff is one of West Mayo’s beautiful and prolific salmon and sea trout fisheries. It is a spate river, meaning it is mainly rain-fed and fast-flowing. These rivers are both fast-rising and fast falling, and the source of spate rivers begins high up – usually in mountains or hills, attributing to the fast flow. The spring salmon run peaks in March, the grilse begin running in May, and the sea trout run peaks in August. The nearby Ballyveeney River gets a good run of sea trout as well.

SCREEBE HOUSE
The Screebe fishery in Connemara is situated at the top of Camus Bay, only six miles south of Maas Cross. It consists of an interconnecting series of sixteen loughs (lakes) and five productive bank beats known locally as “Butts.” Except for the river beat, the others are relatively short but, at times, incredibly productive for salmon. The Salmon Pool at the top of Screebe Lake is one of the best salmon pools in the west of Ireland. The wild salmon run is augmented annually by the release of 50,000 smolts reared on the Screebe hatchery. The fishing gets a run of spring salmon, typically found on the Salmon Pool, and the grilse run peaks in July. For anglers seeking solitude and a wilderness experience, there are few places to match Screebe.

Fishing Seasons by Destination

Ashford Castle
Brown Trout: February 15-September 30
Sea Trout: June 1-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Ballinahinch Castle
Brown Trout: February 1-October 12
Sea Trout: June 1-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Lough Inagh Lodge
Brown Trout: February 1-October 12
Sea Trout: June 1-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Ballyvolane House
Brown Trout: February 15-September 30
Sea Trout: February 15-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Loungueville House
Brown Trout: February 15-September 30
Sea Trout: February 15-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Delphi Fishery
Sea Trout: June 1-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Mount Falcon
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30 (from the Ridge Pool on the River Moy upstream)
Atlantic Salmon: April 17-September 30 (downstream of the Ridge Pool on the River Moy)
Sea Trout: February 1-October 10
Brown Trout: February 15-October 10

Renvyle House
Brown Trout: February 15-September 30
Sea Trout: June 1-September 30
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Rock House
Brown Trout: February 15-October 12
Sea Trout: February 1-October 12
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Screebe House
Brown Trout: February 1-October 12
Sea Trout: June 1-September 12
Atlantic Salmon: February 1-September 30

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with a lodge or outfitter. Trips of any length of stay can be arranged for the Great Fishing Houses, so please call Yellow Dog for details and rates for custom packages and itineraries.

Trip Deposit Information
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip package is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) inside of 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. This is extra important for all slots with the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland, as dates and spots are in high demand. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. Yellow Dog reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100.00 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

IRELAND CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
For all Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, L.L.C. (YDFA) fishing packages to the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland, both deposits and final payments received are non-refundable, regardless of the reason. Because of the operator’s no refund and no credit policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. In no event will the operator be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, missed travel connections, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent or credited minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT. 

“I just wanted to reach out to you and say what an INCREDIBLE experience we had at Ballynahinch.  Everything was top-notch - accommodations, service, food, fishing ... ALL OF IT was spectacular.  Thank you so much for all your help as always. Looking forward to our next trip!” - Kelle & Chris L. 

Ireland Trip Report