Ashford Castle has stood on the shore of Lough Corrib for more than 800 years, and the Guinness family enlarged it in the 19th century. Today it belongs to the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and the estate runs to 350 acres of woodland and lawn along the lake. There are 83 rooms and suites, each decorated differently. The grandest carry the names of past guests, and the Boathouse is a self-contained house set right at the water. Meals range from Stanley's, an easy diner, to the formal George V Dining Room, with tea in the Connaught Room and a drink in the Prince of Wales Bar afterwards. The days fill themselves. Ireland's oldest falconry school is on the grounds, and guests can ride, shoot, play golf or tennis, take a boat onto the lough or spend an afternoon in the spa. Beyond the gates lie the lakes and bogs of Mayo and Galway and the start of Connemara, so the castle works as a base for the west of Ireland as well as a destination in its own right.
- Nearest airport
- Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC), 32 Miles / 51 Kilometres
- Rooms
- 83 rooms and suites
- Taken whole
- 83 rooms and suites plus The Boathouse, up to 160 guests, with all restaurants and bars
Insider tip Book a session with the falconry school early in the stay. Walking a hawk through the castle woods is the experience guests talk about most, and the slots go quickly in summer.
Why I choose it It is the castle stay in Ireland we trust for every age in a family, with enough on the estate to fill several days without getting back in the car.
