This Revamped Castle Hotel in Ireland Has Royal History, Legendary Guests, and a Hawk
The verdant grounds of west Ireland’s Ashford Castle. (All photos courtesy: Ashford Castle)
What: Ashford, one of Ireland’s oldest castles, reopened after renovations that salute its 13th-century Anglo-Norman beginnings, French château, and Victorian additions, and nearly 90 years as a Guinness family home.
Where: In the lush west of Ireland in County Mayo, 35 miles northeast of Galway, the lakefront castle stands just outside the tidy village of Cong, where “The Quiet Man” was filmed in 1951, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, who stayed in rooms 408 and 500 (the only turret room in the original castle).
When: New ownership in late 2013 brought cash for a massive refurbishment of the guestrooms, public rooms, and gardens.
One of the made-over rooms gets the all-red treatment.
Why: A destination on its own, offering activities from archery to water-skiing, Ashford also makes a great stopover along Ireland’s new Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,500-mile scenic coastal drive from County Donegal to County Cork.
Related: Pretend You’re A Princess: Stay in the Most Beautiful Palace and Castle Hotels in the World
Sleep Tight: Eighty-two light-filled rooms and suites look out on the lush 350-acre wooded estate and Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second-largest lake; 30 rooms were redone this year. Many feature antiques purchased at auction. Room 428 has an ornate French bed designed for a German baron in the late 17th century, a type of bed reserved for welcoming a ruler into the house. Rooms feature Voya bath products made from wild Atlantic seaweed harvested from County Sligo.
A peek at the castle’s presidential suite.
Needs Work: The 52 remaining rooms and suites will be refurbished during Ashford’s winter 2015 closure (January-March); additions will include a private theater, cigar room, and a spa expansion.
Related: Stunning Scenery from Ireland You Don’t Want to Miss
Eat Drink Love: Feast beneath 11 huge Waterford chandeliers in the stunning new George V dining room, known for its five- and seven-course tasting menus, locally sourced lamb, fish, and shellfish, and meat-carving trolley; casual meals are served in the Drawing Room and Cullen’s, a thatched cottage on the grounds. An extensive cellar holds exclusive wines from the new owner’s own South African winery.
The new George V dining room will be dishing out seven-course menus.
Ocean’s Haven: At the spa, indulge in a body polish of sea salt with oils of verbena and rosemary, and a sea salt foot scrub followed by a marine clay wrap for silky smooth feet.
Don’t miss: Flying a Harris hawk around the wooded grounds with a raptor expert from Ashford’s School of Falconry is an unforgettable thrill. Ask to meet Dingle, the school’s majestic owl, whose mesmerizing presence gives him superstar appeal.
Related: Taste O’ The Irish: Whiskey and Local Flavor in Dublin
This is one hotel bar fit for royalty.
Competitive Edge: Forty percent of the staff have 20-plus-year’s service and 55 percent have 15-plus-year’s service, and the majority live in Cong or nearby villages.
Details: Rooms start from $285 (low season) to $545 (high season), including breakfast.
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