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Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle

The magnificent five star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. With 82 guest rooms, a wealth of activities and thoughtful touches, enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale. The Castle dates back to 1228 when it was originally founded by the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family, later becoming the family home of the famous Guinness family whose name is now synonymous with the Emerald Isle.

Rooms : 82 Bedrooms.  Type : Couples, Families, Outdoor Active, Golf

 

OVERVIEW

The magnificent five star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. With 82 guest rooms, a wealth of activities and thoughtful touches, enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale. The Castle dates back to 1228 when it was originally founded by the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family, later becoming the family home of the famous Guinness family whose name is now synonymous with the Emerald Isle.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover and immerse yourself in unique, authentic and intimate experiences of the West of Ireland.

  • You will be welcomed into the homes and workshops of three treasured artisan partners. Engage all of your senses with the sounds of the workshop, the beautiful landscapes, the smell of Irish rain and the taste of the finest Irish food.
  • Enjoy a collection of Irish experiences under four themes; Irish food, indigenous craft, music and story, and the real Connemara. Here are some samples of the experiences you can try.

Irish Crafts and Design:

Visit a local ceramicist’s studio and peruse her collection of stoneware and porcelain inspired by the Connemara landscape. Known for experimenting with smoke-firing techniques and making her own glazes, join our ceramicist at her potter’s wheel and get a hands-on feel for throwing Irish pottery.

A Taste of the West of Ireland:

You will be welcomed to the forager’s home on the breath taking Aughris Beg peninsula. Take a walk on the beautiful seashore overlooking the Atlantic and learn how to forage for tasty seafood. Return to the kitchen and prepare your seashore bounty over a glass of wine.

Music and Storytelling

Meet with Ireland’s foremost living seanachaí (storyteller) and gain an insight into Ireland’s oldest oral art-form. Travel the bi-roads and discover the ancient sacred places of faery trees and forts where magical stories abound.

Discover Connemarra

Join the crew of a traditional Galway hooker sailing boat for a magical sailing experience in the sheltered bays of south Connemara. Hoist the sail of this beautiful piece of maritime history and discover intimate island bays and beaches

 

ACCOMMODATION

Corrib Lake View Room

Experience elegant traditional style at its finest, some featuring wonderful gilt and cream painter tester beds and unique furnishings to provide guests a stylish sanctuary in which to relax. Decorated with a variety of colour palettes to suit all tastes and preferences, they are an ideal choice.

Family Room

Spacious Deluxe Queen Rooms consist of two Queen size beds with a comfortable relaxation area. Overlooking the magnificent Lough Corrib or Cong River, the rooms are perfect for couples or families (suitable for two adults and two children under the age of 12 years)

State Rooms

Each Stateroom is located in the oldest part of the castle, dating back to the 13th and 17th centuries. Rooms contain feature beds and original fireplaces with exquisite antique furniture. The Staterooms also boast large bathrooms.

Suites

Ashford Suites offer a spacious feel and opulent elegance with comfortable king size beds as well as a large private dining space. With views of the River Cong or Lough Corrib, the Suites, have recently been refurbished to the highest luxury standard.

DINING

George V Dining Room

Dine like Royalty in this special room built to commemorate the visit from The Prince of Wales in 1905. Enjoy exceptional dishes and fine wines in this elegant and graceful setting.

The Castle Wine Cellars

The Wine Cellars at Ashford Castle offer private wine tastings and wonderful wine dinners in the secret passageways of the castle, which were unearthed during recent renovations.

Private Dining

Ashford Castle offers a number of spaces to suit your preferences and requirements, from intimate dining to grand banqueting.

The Prince of Wales Bar

This bar offers refined traditional style with an original warm fireplace offering the finest of hospitality to enjoy a favourite tipple or pint of Guinness

The Connaught Room

Here you can enjoy the long established tradition of Afternoon Tea which has been wonderfully preserved at Ashford Castle since 1868 – you’ll notice the original silver tea set on display, which was presented to Lord and Lady Ardilaun to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 1896.

Cullens at the Cottage

This traditional thatched cottage, which used to be Cong Cinema, provides a relaxed dining experience with a casual dress code in which to enjoy international and local dishes. Enjoy the beautifully manicured garden and soak up the magnificent views of Ashford Castle in the distance.

 

ACTIVITIES

The expansive 350 acre Ashford Estate is one of the finest sporting estates in Ireland which lends itself perfectly to a range of activities, from country classic pastimes to modern activities. Try out the following activities at this vast playground.

  • Falconry
  • Clay Shooting and Archery
  • Fishing
  • Zip-lining and Tree Climbing
  • Cycling and Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Horse riding
  • Lake Cruising
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Tennis
  • Traditional Boat Trips
  • Off Road Driving

 

 

FAMILY

Ashford Castle, one of the most magical destinations in the world, is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your family. Casting its spell on both young and old, you’ll be welcomed for an enchanting castle adventure.

Family friendly facilities, rooms, activites and dining options ensure everyone feels truly at home and has the time of their lives. Plenty of surprises and hidden adventures are waiting to be discovered – find the secret folly tower, built by Benjamin Lee Guinness, dubbed ‘Rapunzel’s Castle’; complete all the activities to earn the ‘Wolfhounds’ Badge; and ask about the secret map to the fairy paths.

Room Features for Children under 12 include;

  • LEGO menu with butler service
  • Personalised storybook for bedtime – your children discover they are the leading character
  • Bathrobes and slippers
  • Personalised homemade cookies
  • Xbox and/or PlayStation on request
  • Childrens’ selection of DVDs
  • Fully qualified and vetted babysitting service on request

LOCATION

HOLIDAY IDEAS / SAMPLE ITINERARIES

See below some itinerary ideas that can include Ashford Castle.

Ireland – A Destination Showcase

Capital to Country: An Irish Family Journey

  • "A Once in a Lifetime Stay!""

    Joanna Heathcote Educational Trip

  • "A Country Estate with staff who make you feel like family."

    Joanna Heathcote Educational Trip

GET IN TOUCH
 

ACCOMMODATION COLLECTION

Adare Manor

Situated in a picturesque Irish village with convenient access to the rest of the country, Adare Manor is an ideal base for exploring the best that Ireland has to offer.

The hotel offers something for everyone – a luxury castle feeling for couples looking for a romantic getaway, state of the art golf for those keen to try their clubs on this championship course and, for those looking for a little pampering, the La Mer Spa is the only one of its kind in the British isles. There is also an abundance of activities for active families looking to explore the outdoors ranging from falconry to archery, horse-riding, cycling and fishing. This historic country castle escape has it all.

Rooms : 104 spacious bedrooms and suites    Type : Couples, Active Families, Golfers

Cheval The Edinburgh Grand

Rooms : 50

Holiday Type : luxury staycations, city breaks, summer breaks, family breaks, golf, luxury romantic breaks, shopping breaks, expat relocation, student accommodation

The Westbury

The Westbury boasts an iconic location just off of Dublin’s famous Grafton Street, renowned for luxury shopping and street artists.

The Westbury is within a 10-minute walk of some of Dublin’s most popular attractions, such as Trinity College and the National gallery, and there are also numerous bars, restaurants and shops just steps away. This central hotel is a fantastic base to explore Ireland’s iconic capital and a great choice for those wanting to be amongst the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Rooms: 205 Bedrooms and Suites      Type: Families and Couples

View entire accommodation collection

ASHFORD CASTLE, GALWAY

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