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Best Castle Stays in Ireland - Our Choices for 2023

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Irish Castle Hotels - An Introduction:

The castles of Ireland are famously numerous - it is a country which has seen much conflict and its castles have borne witness to much of it.

Castle building was not a native Irish tradition though defensive hill-forts, a rudimentary precursor to the castle you could say, were numerous in the country before the 12th century Anglo-Norman invasions.

They were technologically superior to the Celtic Irish and their mastery of castle building would become a major factor in their military successes.

Though the native Irish did also adopt castle building themselves in the following centuries the vast majority of old fortress castles in Ireland are of Anglo-Norman origin. And the vast majority of these were built in the first two hundred years after Strongbow and the Normans first landed.

They all saw plenty of military conflict in their time but soon began to lose their importance for two reasons - the first being that by the 17th century advances in cannon technology lead to them being seen as vulnerable.

The second was that after the Elizabethan and Cromwellian conquests of Ireland the English had almost complete control and so large defensive forts became far less necessary.

Most castles were then either converted into aristocratic stately homes/manor houses, replaced by them or deserted and left to fall into ruin.

Most present day Irish castle hotels therefore are actually more examples of Victorian or Georgian Neo-Gothic castle follies, Baronial manor houses and the like. Most will have castle like features but only for aesthetic purposes.

Some will even display a mix of various styles, having been added to and updated over the centuries, and may also include some contemporary structures.

They will all though have a strong connection to the past - their present main buildings will all date back at least a hundred years and will also, almost always, be on the site of, or near, a more ancient preceding structure.

You can read all about the history of each of our chosen castle hotels, as well as all the more practical details, on their individual listing pages.

    • 90153768

    Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels and Family Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Castle Avenue, Clontarf
    Dublin City
    County Dublin
    Ireland
    Most Famous Former Guests: Oliver Cromwell, George Frideric Handel. The nearest castle hotel to the centre of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, the 4 star Clontarf Castle has luxury accommodation in what is now a blend of 12th-century castle site, 18th-century manor house and 21st century hotel. It takes a lot of good design to get the balance right and Clontarf Castle manages it, with the first sight of the very Celtic Tiger looking glass entrance foyer somehow managing to not look incongruous against the ancient ivy covered tower walls behind. Once inside the theme continues with the bright and bold interiors balancing smartly the old and the new.  In the bedrooms though the relatively modern usually edges it; think old fashioned luxury city hotel rather than classic castle hotel. Relatively modern or not though, they are stylish and chic and all things considered Clontarf Castle makes an excellent luxury city hotel with a historic twist. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation consists of standard double rooms and ‘executive rooms’ i.e. suites which have an adjoining seating area and the extra charm of a four poster bed. Though nothing about the rooms stands out in terms of features, in particular historic features, they are READ MORE
                 
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    Kilkea Castle Hotel, Co. Kildare

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels, Family Friendly Castle Stays, and Self Catering Castle Stays
    Address: Kilkea Demesne
    Castledermot
    County Kildare
    Ireland
    Ireland’s oldest inhabited castle, the very imposing, 12th century Kilkea Castle, in Kildare, near Dublin is now one of Ireland’s very finest luxury hotels. It has an abundance of historical character and is surrounded by a 180 acre estate which includes some beautifully tended gardens, much wild parkland and woodland, and even its own 18 hole golf course. THE ACCOMMODATION: Kilkea has a broad a range of accommodation options; rooms and suites in the castle itself, courtyard rooms in the old castle outbuildings and separate lodges on the grounds of the estate, both B&B rooms and self catering. There is also the option of hiring out the entire castle for exclusive use or a three bedroom section of it. If you have a large group this will work out much cheaper than booking individually, but as demand for Kilkea is always high it should be certainly be reserved well in advance. The castle bedrooms are the most historical in style, with the suites being particularly romantic, while the courtyard rooms and the lodges are more modern, though not excessively so and they too display much old style elegance. Modern comforts and facilities are also in abundance though, it is a READ MORE
                 
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    Ashford Castle Hotel

    Category: 5 Star Castle Hotels, B&B Castle Hotels, Castle Spa Hotels, Family Friendly Castle Stays, and Dog/Pet Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Ashford Castle Estate
    Cong
    County Galway
    Ireland
    Most Famous Guests: Oscar Wilde, Ronald Reagan, John Lennon. The most renowned of all Ireland’s Castle Hotels, 5 star Ashford Castle in Co. Galway, is an extremely impressive property, with an extravagant setting, an imposing exterior and very lavish interiors. Those factors combined with a great range of modern facilities, fantastic food and extremely high levels of service, make Ashford Castle a fairly consistent choice for any list of the best hotels in Ireland, Europe, and quite possibly the world. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a huge choice of rooms and suites, 83 in total, as well as one private ‘Hideaway Cottage‘ on the castle grounds, check your options on the booking page here. They are all individually designed, and with great attention to detail, containing many well chosen antique furniture pieces, works of art and high quality fabrics that compliment the castle’s original features. The result is old fashioned elegance and opulence but with all the modern luxuries of a five star hotel. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: The grounds are as beautiful as you can imagine, the castle sits by the shores READ MORE
                 
    • 98786285

    Cabra Castle Hotel, Co. Cavan

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels and Family Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Cormey
    Kingscourt
    County Cavan
    Ireland
    A very grand 4 star Castle Hotel near Dublin Airport, Ireland, Cabra Castle is a beautiful sight both inside and out, and a place where luxury and old world elegance is complimented by friendly, hospitable staff, good food and drink and the acres of ancient woodland of the surrounding Dun A Ri Forest Park. THE ACCOMMODATION: In the castle itself there is a choice of old style luxury double/twin bedrooms, while outside in the grounds there are the cottage or courtyard rooms, which though more modern looking on the outside, on the inside they are also very nicely finished and furnished in traditional style. Check your options on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO:   All guests have access to the castle itself, and it is a truly magnificent property. You can explore the old corridors, the various drawing rooms, the wonderful gardens outside, and of course the Courtyard Restaurant and Derby Bar. The interiors are beautifully elegant, full of period fittings and furniture that lend a distinctly old world atmosphere. Being a place of historical interest, the castle also sees a number of day visitors and is open to the gaze of the admiring public between the READ MORE
                 
    • 66212970

    Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Co. Galway

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels and Family Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Ballynahinch Castle
    Recess
    County Galway
    Ireland
    Most Famous Former Guests: Grace O’Malley (Grainneuaile), Daniel O’Connell, U.S. President Gerald Ford. Consistently rated as one of Ireland’s best luxury hotels, the first thing to recommend about the four star Ballynahich Castle in Galway is the superb location: It has 350 acres of peaceful, mature woodland that sit below the Twelve Bens Mountains like a green oasis in what is very much the heart of Connemara, one of Ireland’s most beautiful natural landscapes.  It will also impress with its extremely high levels of service, comfort and facilities, its salmon lake, its top class restaurant and welcoming bar, and also with its interesting, rather eclectic history. THE ACCOMMODATION: The castle hotel has a range of luxury rooms and suites in both the castle and the newer Riverside Lodge. The pick of the bunch, for those with the means, is the Lettery Lodge; a four double/twin bedroom private self catering lodge one minute’s walk from the Castle. It offers privacy, and supreme luxury and comfort, as well as tremendous views of Ben Lettery mountain from the ground floor master suite. Check your options on the booking page here. You will find all of the accommodation choices extremely comfortable and stylish, with an elegant, READ MORE
                 
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    Killahara Castle, Co. Tipperary

    Category: Family Friendly Castle Stays, Castles to Rent, and Self Catering Castle Stays
    Address: Killahara Castle
    Dovea
    County Tipperary
    Ireland
    Killahara Castle is a fine example of a restored 16th century Gaelic tower castle, one whose fascinating history of ownership (see below) mirrors greatly the great power struggles of Ireland’s most politically turbulent centuries. The accommodation is self catering, and the entire castle is for rent, for weekends and full weeks only. You may have to forgo some modern comforts here but, unlike a lot of overly modernized castle hotel type accommodation, Killahara reeks of authenticity and offers a unique sensation of travelling back hundreds of years in time. The location is wonderfully unassuming, and very much off the beaten track; arriving at the castle means driving down a series of country lanes in the heart of rural Tipperary until it appears, towering on a hilltop over the lovely, deep green, Irish countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: Up through the ancient spiral staircase you have five floors at your disposal; a spacious lounge/living room, a large kitchen, four bathrooms and a total of seven bedrooms; five doubles and two singles. Two additional camp beds can also be supplied for extra guests, bringing the total occupancy up to 12 guests. On the ground floor the large kitchen and dining room has a dining table big READ MORE
                 
  • Lough Eske Castle Hotel

    Category: 5 Star Castle Hotels
    Address: Lough Eske Castle Hotel
    Lough Eske
    Donegal
    Ireland
    Lough Eske Castle Hotel has been removed from our listings. To view our recommended castle hotels in Ireland click here: Castle Hotels in Ireland READ MORE
                 
    • 9016428

    Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry

    Category: B&B Castle Hotels and Family Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Ballyseede
    Tralee
    County Kerry
    Ireland
    Just outside the town of Tralee, Ireland, County Kerry’s only castle hotel is the 4-star Ballyseede Castle which has a history dating back to the 16th century and pleasingly blends its many modern comforts with historical grandeur and elegance. It has award winning food, beautiful grounds, and a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere throughout. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a choice of rooms and suites both in the castle itself and in the nearby lodge. Be aware when booking which is which as the lodge accommodation, though pleasant, is a quite different experience. It is near the estate entrance; the site of the old gatehouse and is more of an upscale, modern, B&B, though guests do have access to the main building, the castle, throughout the day. The rooms and suites in the castle are quite lovely, a step ahead really, with the beautifully furnished suites and superior rooms particularly being the height of comfort and space. Check your options on the booking page here. You may find some of the standard double rooms (all are double, no twin rooms) quite small, or let’s say cosy, but they also are nicely furnished and apart from the size should not disappoint in any other READ MORE
                 
   

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