Ashford Castle
- Star Rating 5 star Castle
- Location Cong, Co. Mayo
- Open All Year Round
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Your Choice of Luxurious Accommodation
Ashford Castle has an unsurpassed reputation for providing guests with the very finest rooms and suites. Each guest room is individually designed to provide stylish personal comforts - from the marble fittings of bathrooms to sumptuous coordinated fabrics and furnishings. Many of the rooms retain their original features and all are equipped with modern amenities. Whether you choose a Standard Room or opt for the grandeur of the Presidential Suite, you will find yourself revelling in luxury and comfort. Following a tradition passed down through the centuries, enjoy a leisurely brunch or candlelight dinner in the comfort of your own room.
Standard rooms are minimum size Double/Twin bedded rooms, which are individually designed, command spectacular views and offer a wide range of facilities. With larger floor space than Standard rooms, the Deluxe rooms offer beautiful views of the manicured gardens, the River Cong or Lough Corrib. The antique furnishings and oil paintings add to the ambience of luxury and comfort.
The Junior Suites at Ashford Castle are king size bedded rooms overlooking Lough Corrib, Ireland 's second largest lake. The Suites are equipped with all modern amenities and are much sought after for their wonderful views.
The Staterooms are beautifully appointed. Spacious, with high ceilings, they are all located in the oldest section of the Castle, dating back to the 13th and 17th centuries. Three of the five rooms are furnished with traditional four poster beds and all of the five Staterooms feature original fireplaces and antique furniture. The impressive and luxurious bathrooms, offer unique features and some have pedestal claw baths. The castles Suites finally, are spectacularly appointed rooms commanding wonderful views of the Lake or River. As with all 83 rooms each one is individually designed and one of these suites is a duplex with a sitting room upstairs and bedroom commanding the most impressive views of the lake.
Dining at Ashford
Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. Creative cooking, an inspired use of seasonal ingredients and an innovative menu await you here. Ashford Castle would like to welcome the irrepressible Stefan Matz, who joined the Castle as Head Chef in June 2003. He has received many accolades for his culinary skills and expertise, including the prestigious Michelin Star award.
Castle History
Ashford was founded in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family following their defeat of the native O'Connors of Connaught. The de Burgo's would build several such castles throughout the province, but Ashford would remain the principal stronghold. The native O'Connors also leave a legacy in the form of the nearby 12th century Augustinian abbey of Cong, built on the site of a 6th century monastery. After more than three and a half centuries under the de Burgo's, Ashford passed into the hands of a new owner. Following a fierce battle between the forces of the de Burgo's and those of the English Lord Bingham, governor of Connaught, a truce is agreed and the castle falls to Bingham, who then adds a fortified enclave within its precincts. The famous Ashford Estate is established by the Oranmore and Browne family and a fabulous french style chateau is added to the architectural splendour of the castle.
In 1951, the director John Ford comes to the west of Ireland to film what would become a movie classic - 'The Quiet Man'. Many of the films stars stayed at Ashford. Ashford Castle is bought in 1970 by John A. Mulcahy who oversees its complete restoration and expansion, doubling its size, building the golf course and developing the grounds and gardens. In 1985 a group of Irish American investors purchase Ashford. In the 23 years since, Ashford has been voted not only one of the best hotels in Ireland by the most discerning guidebooks, but also one of the top 50 resort properties in Europe. In 2008 Ashford Castle was bought outright by Galway Entrepreneur and Hotelier Mr Gerry Barrett.
Connemara on your doorstep
Cong (5 minutes)
Cong is without doubt most famous for being the location of John Ford's 1951 classic, "The Quiet Man", starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The Quiet Man Cottage Museum allows visitors to relive the movie as if actually on-set. Painstaking effort has ensured that all the furnishings, artifacts, costumes - etc. are authentic reproductions. The majestic remains of Cong Abbey are the relics of an Augustinian abbey founded in the 12th century by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connaught and High King of Ireland. The Cross of Cong, an ornate processional cross intended for the abbey, is now in Dublin's National Museum. Ashford Castle, perhaps Ireland's most exquisite castle hotel is located just outside the village.Connemara (20 minutes)
Northwest of Galway lies the rocky, barren, but breathtakingly stunning region of Connemara. This area is one of the few remaining in Ireland where the native tongue (Gaeilge) is still fluently spoken as a first language. Stop off in the fishing village of Roundstone, where currachs, old style featherweight rowing boats are still in everyday use. The village also boasts an impressive crafts complex, selling everything from teapots and sweaters to traditional Irish music instruments. Clifden, Connemara's capital is well worth a visit and the scenic Sky Road drive just outside town should not be missed. From here travel north to see the exquisite neo-gothic Kylemore Abbey, nestled in a lush forest on the edge of Kylemore Lake. However long you spend in Connemara you will be constantly enchanted by the ever changing scenery of mountains and valleys, lakes and beaches and bays. This is Ireland's big sky country.Westport (1.5 hours)
Westport is a postcard-pretty town with as lovely a main street as you'll be likely to find anywhere in Ireland. The town lies in the shadow of Croagh Patrick with Clew Bay and its 365 islands just to the west. While in Westport be sure to visit Westport House and climb at least a little of Croagh Patrick. Westport House dates from 1730 and offers everything from a dungeon to a zoo! Croagh Patrick is a 765-meter hill where St. Patrick is said to have banished the snakes from Ireland. This hill is climbed (often barefoot) by thousands of Catholic pilgrims each July. South of Westport are some stunning scenic drives leading into the Connemara region. A trip northwards will bring you to remote Achill island which is accessible by a small bridge. Even further off the beaten path is Belmullet in the northwest corner of County Mayo. Westport also boasts a great selection of traditional pubs, among them Matt Molloy's of the Chieftains.Achill Island (2 hours)
Achill Island is the largest island in Ireland at 60 square miles and is accessible from the mainland by a land bridge. Here you can visit the quaint villages of Dooagh and Dooega, the high cliffs at Slievemore and Minaun and the magnificent beaches at Keel and Keem, under Achill Head. No visit to the Island would be complete without taking a journey of scenic splendour on the famous Atlantic Drive which circuits the island. Achill's beautiful unspoiled, remote scenery and clear waters make it ideally suited for the outdoor person. You can explore the island's peaceful countryside with a beach walk, hill walk, or even a road walk! You can rent bicycles on the island if you would like to cover more distance. You can climb the highest mountain on the island, Mt. Slievemore (about 1800 feet), with ease and have a remarkable view of the area, or opt take a walk up the third highest point, Mt. Minaun and walk along the Minaun cliffs.Galway City (1 hour)
In a recent nationwide survey the people of Galway were found to be Ireland's happiest! And visiting Galway City, the capital of their county it is not hard to see why. It is a lively university city of narrow streets, quaint shopfronts, bustling pubs and stunning surrounding scenery. It has always attracted a bohemian mix of musicians, artists and intellectuals and that attitude is palpable as you walk the streets. Galway has been commercially important since the 11th century when it was a centre for trade with Spain and Portugal. In 1477 Christopher Columbus paid a visit. Galway earned the title ÒCity of the TribesÓ around that time, when it was ruled by 14 wealthy merchant families. Today it is lively, with loads of things to do, and is so popular that it can get very crowded in summer, especially during the annual Galway Races. The annual Arts Festival also attracts thousands, especially for its street parade, organized by the multi-award winning production company, Macnas. Its famous Druid Theatre produces and stages plays and has toured internationally, winning awards, including Tonys on Broadway.
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