Have you ever dreamed of living like a king or queen for a day, with your own castle and all? Steep yourself in Irish history and enjoy the unique luxury of a castle stay during your next Ireland vacation. The Emerald Isle has several magnificent castle hotels, renowned the world over for their warm hospitality and idyllic surroundings. Each castle has its own unique style and grace, and offers stately luxury and superb cuisine during your stay. You'll find dozens of ancient castles sprinkled across Ireland’s rolling green countryside in various states of preservation. They are not only gorgeous to look at, but they’re also the perfect place for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most of the castle hotels in Ireland are luxurious, but many are more affordable than you might think. There are also budget-friendly castles, some of which are in the B&B, guesthouse, or farmhouse category. Castle stays range from luxury hotel to more rustic and medieval-style experiences. Ireland’s castles and historic properties are steeped in local legend and folklore. Regardless of which castle is chosen, guests can savour the wealth of bygone eras and Irish culture throughout their stay. King of the Castle One of Ireland’s top-rated castle hotels, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is the epitome of elegance and charm in the south Dublin coast, and where you can enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale. It's the only Irish castle hotel located in the trendy suburbs of Killiney, Dun Laoghaire, and Dalkey, and overlooks Dublin Bay. The castle is only 9 miles/20 minutes from downtown Dublin. This is a popular suburb with some of Ireland’s most famous residents, and is a great way to start a trip that is heading south to Cork or Killarney. Cahernane Country House Hotel is beautifully situated on its own private estate, at the edge of the renowned Killarney National Park in Southwest Ireland. This is the perfect place to embrace the vibrant landscapes of Lakes of Killarney and find a true sense of tranquility.
The magnificent 5-star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres of ancient woodland, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. Dating back to 1228, the hotel has 83 spectacular rooms, suites, Lakeside Cottage, a state-of-the-art spa, and Ireland's first School of Falconry. Bunratty Castle, located in County Clare, is one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions and is a must-see for every visitor to the Shannon region. Built in 1425, Bunratty Castle contains furnishings, tapestries, and works of art from that period and is the most whole and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Get into the spirit of Irish culture with the renowned Bunratty Medieval Castle Banquet and Traditional Irish Nights.
Culinary Treasures The quality of Ireland’s culinary and hospitality continues to exceed travellers' expectations. It is no longer just known for boiled veg and meat, but has really been showing its creativity with its farm-to-fork style of dishes. At the same time, Irish hosts have continued to take pride in their heritage and allow foreigners and locals to mingle and meet, as they visit manor houses and castles around the country. Are you ready to live like a king or queen for a few days? For more Ireland travel ideas, visit us at www.goway.com.
By Nadya Phelan
Although born in Canada, Nadya has spent much of her life globetrotting, as her parents believed that travelling was a form of education. At 20, she packed her backpack and set off to Australia for a work holiday, where she would later return to earn her degree in Tourism Management. She has also lived and worked in Ireland.
Having extensively explored Europe and South America, Nadya has since been to all 7 continents and is always looking to see and experience more.
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