With around 30,000 castles in Ireland, it’s hard to drive too far without spotting a castle or its ruins.
While many fantasise about living like royalty and being served hand and foot, most castles served a very practical purpose — to keep the occupants safe from marauders, including the bleak weather. These castles were built as fortified homes for chieftains, with thick walls and ramparts.
They date back to the 11th century, but depending on the depth of the owner’s pocket, they came with appropriate embellishments to mark the status of the owner.
These days, the castle experience is something quite different.
Those that have been selected for the hospitality trade have been spruced up and your chance to live like lords and ladies could be realised, complete with an expansive bedroom that’s plastered with gorgeous wallpaper, plus luxurious furniture littered all over, with vast grounds to wander around every day.
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You can still live out this fantasy holiday in one of the numerous castle hotels.
Even on a bad-weather day, it can’t be too bad if you while away the hours in front of a roaring fire in a hotel’s reading room or watching the mist in the distance when you wake up every morning.
Many of these hotels also boast deluxe spas and unique activities — not in the original build, likely — that make for an unforgettable holiday.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway to celebrate a special anniversary with your spouse or you’re sneaking in a holiday to mark the transition into retirement, you can’t go wrong with a few days in a sprawling mansion.
Here are six castle hotels in Ireland to pick from.
Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle has an extremely rich history.
It’s the ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, who are able to link their lineage all the way back to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Scotland.
It’s been around since the 16th century but most of the present building was constructed around the 1830s.
It has hosted former presidents such as Nelson Mandela, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as celebrities including John Travolta and Bono, who grew up a few hours’ drive away in Dublin.
The five-star hotel’s estate covers 450 acres and you can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, golf, archery and horse-riding. Or why not try falconry? The hotel’s majestic resident hawks, falcons and owls are a sight to behold.
Laze in four-poster beds as you enjoy a lake or woodland view, surrounded by tasteful furnishings.
You can even hang out in other areas of the hotel so arm yourself with a book and find a spot with a comfy chair to chill. Don’t be alarmed when you come across the knights in suits of armour that are littered around the premises, though.
If you feel like venturing out, grab a walking map of the estate from reception and explore the grounds – there’s a serene area with a lily pond as well as a walled garden that are ideal for taking in nature. When on a walk around the lake, look out for the cute ducks that are bound to cross your path.
You’ll get silver service — but, of course — when you dine at The Earl of Thomond restaurant, where you can enjoy exquisite dishes such as pheasant, rabbit and partridge. Then have a nightcap at The Cocktail Bar.
Dromoland Castle is located in the western part of Ireland and is a 15-minute drive to Ennis, a small town that’s been around since medieval times, where you can wander through the quaint streets or try the food options if you don’t want to dine at the hotel.
Ashford Castle
This five-star hotel was once home to the Guinness family and has just 83 rooms and suites.
Ashford Castle is what you might imagine if you were to think of a fairy-tale castle. It’s also located in west Ireland and is surrounded by 350 acres of manicured gardens, forests and woodland that overlook Lough Corrib, the second-largest fresh-water lake in Ireland.
The 800-year-old castle offers luxurious accommodation, with elegantly-decorated rooms featuring canopy beds, antique furniture, chandeliers and custom-design carpets.
Keep yourself busy with falconry, fishing, horseback riding or clay shooting. Or get on a lake cruise, which will allow you to soak up the scenery and take loads of beautiful photos to show off to your loved ones. You can also check out the surrounds on a bicycle.
The luxurious spa is extremely popular and was named Ireland’s Best Spa for the eighth consecutive year at the 2023 World Spa Awards.
Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort
There are few things more luxurious than being on holiday on a private island.
Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort is a one-of-a-kind Irish experience as it’s set on a 310-acre private island that’s only accessible by the resort’s car ferry. Still, it’s easy to get to, being just a 10-minute drive from Waterford City, in the eastern part of the country, and 90 minutes from Dublin airport.
The 16th-century building has just 19 bedrooms, further adding to its exclusivity. But, if you’re travelling in a group, you can also book one of its three- and four-bedroom self-catering lodges.
The resort is a hit with golf fans as it boasts an 18-hole, par 72 Championship Golf Course, as well as a driving range and short game area.
There’s more than golf here, though; try clay pigeon shooting, a traditional game of croquet on the castle lawn, or just step out on one of its nature trails, where you’ll bump into native wildlife including hares, foxes, badgers and the resort’s herd of wild Silka deer.
There’s a lot of old-world charm to marvel at here, such as the castle’s grand stone windows and rooms with period decor. Its afternoon tea is popular and the golf clubhouse serves casual fare.
For something more posh, dine at the Munster Room Restaurant.
Barberstown Castle Hotel
This property dates from the late 13th century and castle walls show that it once played a part in defending the area from attack.
Barberstown Castle Hotel was also once home to rock royalty – English musician Eric Clapton owned it from 1979 to 1987, then sold it to the current owner.
All its bedrooms are named after its previous owners and no two bedrooms are the same. So get comfy on the four-poster bed and admire the antique furniture and original artwork.
The Garden Bar serves food and drinks seven days a week while Barton Rooms Restaurant is a fine-dining establishment that only opens from Thursday to Sunday.
Barberstown Castle is easy to get to, around a half-hour drive from the country’s capital, Dublin. It doesn’t have large grounds – just 20 acres – so you’ll have to venture out for some leisure and entertainment.
It’s a good choice for a base as you explore Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’. Located in the Kildare region, you can walk among Viking settlements, find out about medieval invasions and even discover tombs from the Stone Age.
If you prefer retail therapy, Kildare Village has 100 boutiques from international designers, offering their wares at up to 60% off the recommended retail price.
Castlemartyr Resort
Located in Cork, in the southern part of Ireland, Castlemartyr Resort is made up of the former ruins of a castle built in 1210 by The Knights Templar and a 17th-century manor house that serves as a hotel today.
There are not many places in the world where you can hang out next to an ancient castle wall so take a walk around the property and marvel at the fact that you’re on the same grounds that existed way back then.
There are 220 acres to explore, with activities such as archery, cycling or garden games (only in summer) like giant Jenga and giant chess. The hotel is also known for its spa and golf course.
There are several dining options here and afternoon tea at the manor house as you overlook the formal gardens is a must.
Accommodation wise, you can choose a room in the restored manor house or in the newer wing, which obviously has a more modern feel.
Rooms feature luxurious soft furnishings along with modern amenities such as touch panels that operate lights and drapes.
And if you’re thinking about having a romantic getaway, here’s some trivia – Kim Kardashian and Kanye West spent their honeymoon here.
Many attractions are a short drive away too, such as Middleton Distillery Experience, home to iconic brands such as Jameson, Powers and Redbreast. (Note: it’s temporarily closed due to flood damage in October but keep checking their website if you’re visiting in a few months’ time).
The Titanic Experience in the nearby town of Cobh is in the historic White Star Line Building, where Titanic’s last passengers departed.
Try the guided tour to retrace the steps of the passengers and listen to eyewitness accounts of what unfolded during this tragedy.
It’s worth a visit from a historical perspective but also make sure you walk around Cobh as it’s a picture-perfect spot that was named among the most beautiful small towns in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller.
Clontarf Castle Hotel
Visiting Dublin but don’t want to stay in the bustling city?
Try Clontarf Castle Hotel, 15 minutes from Dublin’s city centre. The site has housed a castle since the 12th century but the current building dates back to the 1830s.
Although it has been home to nobility for centuries, it also was famous as a cabaret venue in the ’70s and ’80s.
The castle’s turrets are picture perfect and the rooms provide views of the nearby mountains and sea. Fahrenheit Restaurant has won numerous awards and is set in the original 12th century castle walls, with gorgeous stained-glass windows.
Don’t miss Knight’s Bar, with open fireplaces and classic upholstered booths, where you can enjoy modern Irish cuisine.
Fans of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy might remember the song The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle from their self-titled debut album – we can’t confirm or deny the existence of such a person, though.
