Castles of Ireland

Clontarf Castle
Located just outside Dublin city centre, Clontarf is a Victorian-era manor-cum-castle that has been converted into a 21st-century luxury hotel. Inside, Clontarf is decorated in a rich, luxurious style with ornate ceilings, stained glass windows, sparkling chandeliers, and open fireplaces. The 111 guest rooms come equipped with all the expected modern conveniences, including air conditioning and wi-fi. Meals are served in the Fahrenheit Grill and the Knights Bar, while the comfortable Indigo lounge offers morning coffee and afternoon tea. Clontarf Castle is only 10 minutes from the city centre and a 30-minute drive from Dublin airport.

Below are a few suggestions to make the most of your time in the city:

• Temple Bar is positioned at the heart of the city and is filled with a singularly Irish buzz! Wander the cobblestone streets and follow the sound of traditional music wafting from the pubs and restaurants, stopping for a Guinness or Baileys along the way.
  
• Walk the historic campus of Trinity College Dublin and stop to see the famous illuminated Book of Kells, created by monks between the 6th and 8th centuries. A different page is opened every day.
  
• No visit to Dublin is complete without a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. This site continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland, and you'll see why as soon as you step foot in the factory. Learn how the popular beer has been brewed for centuries, and have a pint while enjoying a fabulous view of the city from the aptly-named Gravity Bar!
  
• If the weather is good, you might like to take a stroll around tranquil St. Stephen's Green. During the summer months, lunchtime concerts are held here.

We recommend Belvedere House & Gardens as your first stop en route to Clifden. An 18th-century stately home, Belvedere stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. It is considered one of the finest of Ireland's historic houses, and has in recent years been exquisitely restored together with its gardens.

From Belvedere House, continue west to arrive at the town of Athlone, on the banks of the River Shannon. This is the very heart of Ireland, with the River Shannon demarcating east from west. Athlone centres on a 12th-century castle, which is open to visitors.

Leaving Athlone and continuing west, you’ll soon arrive into Galway, an Irish harbour town with a rich and fascinating history. Galway became wealthy in the 16th-century through trade with Europe, principally Spain. Remnants of this period can be seen in the Spanish Arch, a gateway in the old city walls, and the Spanish Parade, where you can enjoy a stroll along the promenade.

The last leg of today’s journey will see you drive north from Galway and into the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for its lakes and mountains, to arrive in Clifden, where you spend two nights at Abbeyglen Castle.

Abbeyglen Castle
Built in the mid 19th-century as a private home, Abbeyglen Castle enjoys a superb location on the outskirts of Clifden, with views of the ocean to the front and the Twelve Bens Mountain range to the rear. The Castle has 48 rooms with all the expected modern facilities, while an excellent gourmet restaurant serves specialities including lobster and Connemara lamb. Tuesday night is Irish night, when traditional Irish dishes are served accompanied by Irish music and song.

Just north of Connemara National Park is the magnificent Kylemore Castle & Abbey, a late 19th-century mansion & monastery situated at the foot of Mt Druchruach, on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years, run the Abbey.

In the afternoon, we recommend taking a scenic drive through Leenane, a quiet village situated at the head of Killary fjord. The fjord can be explored on a 90-minute sea cruise, which departs throughout the day and offers a unique perspective on the coastal and mountain scenery of Connemara.

At the end of the day, return to Clifden for another night at Abbeyglen Castle.

Today’s route will also take you through the heritage town of Kilrush, where, if time allows, you might like to enjoy a stroll before continuing a further 10kms to Killimer. In Killimer, board the ferry to Tarbert in County Kerry, a 20-minute journey across the Shannon estuary.

After arriving in Tarbert, drive through Listowel and on to Tralee, where you stay two nights at Ballyseede Castle Hotel.

Ballyseede Castle
One of the best-known castle hotels in Ireland, Ballyseede has a history dating back to the 1590s. The house was the ancestral home of the Blennerhassett family, who were active politically in Ireland from the fourteenth century. Set amid thirty acres of native woodland in the heart of Kerry, the castle has been wonderfully transformed into a luxurious hotel with 23 rooms, a library, bar, and three restaurants. The Stonehouse Restaurant serves breakfast, Pappy’s Bar has a selection of full and light meals (served all day), while the O’Connell restaurant offers gourmet food and an extensive wine list. The lively town of Tralee is just 5kms away with a choice of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Weather permitting, you might like to include a 2 to 3-hour boat trip around the largely uninhabited Blasket Islands. The Blaskets are remote, unspoilt, and spectacularly beautiful. They are home to an incredible number of breeding seabirds, while the surrounding seas are inhabited by dolphins, porpoises, Atlantic seals and even the occasional whale or orca.

After a day spent exploring Dingle, return to Ballyseede Castle for overnight.

Leaving Limerick, travel eastwards towards the village of Straffan in County Kildare. En-route, a small detour will take you to the imposing Rock of Cashel, a collection of medieval structures situated on a high vantage point that rises dramatically from the flat countryside. The rock is crowned by a 13th-century Roman-esque chapel and the beautifully-restored Hall of the Vicar Choral.

Continue through the rich pastures of the Irish midlands and into Co. Kildare, where you stay tonight in Barberstown Castle, a 13th-century castle surrounded by 20 acres of gardens.

Barberstown Castle
Located a short distance from Dublin, Barberstown is a country house hotel & castle with a long history dating back to the middle ages. Since it’s founding in the 13th-century, the castle has had no fewer than 37 owners (one of them being Eric Clapton), but has retained much of its character and heritage.

Barberstown offers 50 en-suite guest rooms, all presented with antique furnishings and lots of elegant touches. The Barton Room restaurant offers French-influenced country house dining and is recommended in Michelin guides – pre-booking is usually necessary. There is also a bar serving lighter meals.