Markree Castle
- Star Rating 4
- Location Collooney, Co. Sligo
- Open All Year Round
Markree Castle, the Cooper family home for 370 years, has been lovingly restored by the current owner Charles Cooper and his wife Mary to become one of the finest country house hotels in Ireland. Set in a secluded 500 acre estate, peace and relaxation combined with good food, fine wine and old-world charm make a stay at Markree a step back in time.
Markree Castle offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere for get-away breaks and its location, in the heart of the countryside that inspired the great poet and playwright W.B. Yeats, makes it an ideal 'home-from-home' for longer stays.
Rooms at Markree
Markree Castle offers the very best in castle hotel accommodation in the North West of Ireland. Our delightfully appointed guest rooms, together with the cosy authentic old world atmosphere of the castle, make any stay unforgettable. Whether enjoying afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire in the lounge, or gazing at the breathtaking views from your bedroom, one thing is certain- that you will be able immerse yourself in the culture, history and luxury of this stunning location.
Part of Markree’s eternal charm is the comfort and quality of our unique guest bedrooms. Each is spacious, individually furnished with care. The handmade curtains and bedspreads, antique furniture and amazing view out over the surrounding countryside make each room a haven for rest and relaxation. Bedrooms contain original features and are decorated in keeping with the period atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in history and make Markree your very own castle for the evening.
All rooms are ensuite, with flat screen televisions, personal telephones and fluffy duck down duvets, providing you will all the modern comforts that you will need to enjoy your rural retreat.
Dining at Markree
Chef Jacques Bascolergue’s experience travelling and working all over the world is seen in the unique and authentic cuisine at Markree’s Knockmuldowney Restaurant. Here he combines world tastes with only the very best in local ingredients to create a menu of gastronomic delights that will tempt every tastebud. Woodcock and wild fallow venison from the Markree estate are a seasonal specialty.
Dinner is served nightly in the breath-takingly romantic Louis XIV dining room, where tables are always reserved for residents. Non-residents are always welcome with prior booking- a perfect evening out for an intimate meal for two or a larger party.
A light lunch and afternoon tea of homemade cakes, scones and biscuits are available in the gallery lounge daily from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm
Castle History
A castle since the 14th century, with the most recent redesign taking place in the late 1800s, Markree is a cultural gem where the very finest in Irish Victorian and Georgian architecture is to be seen. The story of Markree is a remarkable journey through time, starting in the 16th century with the invasion of Ireland by Cromwell. The young officer Edward Cooper served under Cromwell when his army defeated the mighty O'Brien Clan. O'Brien himself lost his life in this battle, and Edward married his widow Marie Rua (Red Mary). With her and her two sons he went to live at Luimneach Castle in Limerick, which is now a ruin. They were happy there, and later she even bore him a child. Cromwell's army marched on, further northwards, in spite of the fact at the time, he did not have the means to pay his officers. Instead, he gave them large pieces of land. Thus, he gave Markree Castle and the surrounding grounds to Edward Cooper. Until then, Markree had been a fortified outpost of the Irish McDonagh Clan, with a fort that was built on the banks of the river Unsin. Of Red Mary's three sons one died, the second was left the castle in Limerick and the third one inherited Markree Castle. Charles Cooper, the current owner of the hotel, is a direct descendant of the third son. After the Second World War, Markree Castle fell on hard times and it stood empty for many years, until in 1989, Charles Cooper had the brilliant idea of transforming his ancestral castle into a hotel.
Explore the Estate & Gardens
As well as being boasting the finest in Irish Victorian architecture Markree Castle is also famous for its wonderful estate and gardens. Situated on 800 acres on unspoilt park and woodland. The river Unsin, one of the cleanest in Europe is home to otters and kingfishers as well as a whole host of other wildlife. The estate has recently been included in studies of rare Daubenton’s Bats and native Irish Red Squirrels (which are regularly seen in the surrounding woodlands). Early morning walks in the grounds will afford glimpses of foxes, badgers and hares as well as fallow deer. Our resident flock of Wensleydale sheep add a touch of domesticity to this wildlife haven.
As well as providing a haven for Irish wildlife, Markree Castle boasts some of the very best in Victorian garden design. A garden-lover’s delight, Markree plays host to a number of interesting and beautiful plants in its herbaceous borders, shrubbery and beyond. The newly planted Winter Garden as well as the current restoration work on the Victorian Rockery attest to the continuing development of what has to be one of the finest gardens in the northwest.
The following locations are in close proximity to Markree
Sligo
Sligo, which has a close association with the poet W.B. Yeats offers a fine museum and gallery, much of which is devoted to the great man. Close to Sligo you will find 5,000 year-old megalithic tombs left by the ancient Celtic people. Also worth a look are the ruins of the 19th century Sligo Abbey. One interesting possible diversion will take you to the town of Knock where in 1879 Mary, Joseph, and St. John miraculously appeared. The number of witnesses on that evening and the many subsequent healings that have taken place here leave little doubt in many people's mind that something incredible did in fact happen here. A 12,000 seat Basilica was built to accommodate the vast number of visitors each year.County Donegal (1 hour)
Donegal is the fourth-largest county on the island and one of the most sparsely populated. It’s also one of the most beautiful, with a coastline 400 miles (644 km) long, and many lakes and rivers, mountains and moors. Because of its lack of people, it looks much as it must have centuries ago. It also means that it is a very relaxing place to spend time. Everywhere you go there are wonderful views, empty beaches, and charming little villages. Among its many interesting features are the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League, and Glenveagh National Park. The Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) is the largest in the country. There is so much to see and do in Donegal that you could very easily spend weeks instead of days. The county also is famous worldwide for its tweed and for its distinctive Parian china. Enya, one of Ireland’s most successful contemporary singers, and her siblings, the band Clannad, are natives of the Donegal town of Gweedore, which is famous countrywide for its traditional Irish music.Derry City (2.5 hours)
The story of Derry is a long and tumultuous one. Set on a hill on the banks of the Foyle estuary, strategically close to the open sea, it came under siege and attack for over a thousand years. You can walk along the great 17th-century walls, about a mile round and 18 feet thick, which withstood several sieges and even today are unbroken and complete, with old cannon still pointing their black noses over the ramparts. The great siege lasted for 105 days. Today, there’s an atmosphere of optimism in Derry and the city buzzes with life. It’s an artistic city, with theatres, galleries and other cultural centres and a number of annual festivals. Its people, with their gentle accent, are very welcoming.Westport (2.5 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.We value your privacy! We will never share your details with anyone else.
