Waterford Castle

Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Club, operating as a luxury hotel since 1988, is uniquely situated on its own private 310 acre Island . Access to the Island is by a chain linked private Car Ferry, which is operated 24 hours a day. Located 2 ½ hours south of Dublin City in South East Ireland, the Island is within a short drive from Waterford City Centre and the world-renowned Waterford Crystal factory is only a 15-minute drive.

Waterford Castle reaches back into time to the 11 th Century, a time capsule that reflects history. According to tradition a Monastic settlement existed on the island sometime between the sixth and eighth centuries and two "finds" on the land have lent substance to this: A Winged Angel dating from the 8th century and the crude carving of a Monk's head, which is now prominently displayed over the main entrance to the Castle, dating from the 6th century. The first family to live on the Island was the FitzGerald Family, who were cousins to Strongbow.   During the 15th and 16th centuries the FitzGerald's were the Kings of Ireland in all but name and hosted many feasts and banquets on the Island . The Island and the Castle remained in the FitzGerald name up until 1958, and then the Igo Family of Rhodesia bought the property and installed a five acre complex of glass houses from which they produced fruits and flowers. In 1978, the Island was rented to a local pedigree dairy farmer, who later bought the Island . The owner saw the Island as an isolated, disease free area and the perfect place to continue his dairy farming. The Island is now privately owned, comprising of a 19 bedroom Luxury Hotel and 18 hole Championship Golf Course, surrounded by woodlands and the River Suir.

Once inside the Great Entrance Hall, guests are greeted by original Oak panelled Walls, Portland stonewalls, Tapestries and a huge open log fire. Waterford Castle Hotel is a 19 bedroom Luxury Hotel which combines the gracious living of an elegant past with every modern comfort, service and convenience.  The antiques, period décor and delicate details will captivate your imagination.  Traditional fabrics and exquisite furnishings are featured in individually decorated suites and guests bedrooms. To compliment this fine establishment, the staff of the Castle takes great pride in delivering a personal service to our guests. Many members of the staff have followed in the footsteps of their great-grand parents who worked for the FitzGerald Family up to the 1950’s. The Hotels’ staff service ethos is acknowledged by the many service awards bestowed on the Castle in recent years.