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Markree Castle

Star Rating 4 Star Castle
Location Collooney, Co. Sligo
Open All Year Round

Markree Castle has been home to the Cooper family home for more than 370 years. The current owners, Charles & Mary Cooper, have lovingly restored the castle while under their stewardship. Their efforts have not been in vain, as Markree is now one of the finest country house castle hotels in Ireland. Set on a secluded 500 acre estate, peace, relaxation, good food, fine wine and old-world charm all combine to make a stay at Markree a unique experience from a bygone era. Located in the heart of the countryside that inspired the great poet and playwright W.B. Yeats, Markree is a cultural gem. A castle since the 14th century, Markree represents a golden opportunity to surround yourself with the very finest in Irish Victorian and Georgian architecture.

Photos Rooms at Markree Dining at Markree Castle History Markree Estate Daytrips

Castle Photos

Markree Castle has been home to the Cooper family home for more than 370 years. Located in the heart of the countryside that inspired the great poet and playwright W.B. Yeats, Markree is a cultural gem. A castle since the 14th century, Markree represents a golden opportunity to surround yourself with the very finest in Irish Victorian and Georgian architecture.

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Guestrooms at Markree Castle

Markree Castle offers the very best in castle accommodation in the North West of Ireland. The 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 - you will be immersed in the culture, history and luxury of this stunning location.

A large part of Markree’s eternal charm is the comfort and quality of the unique guestrooms. Each is spacious & individually furnished with your comfort and enjoyment in mind. The handmade curtains and bedspreads, antique furniture and amazing view out over the surrounding countryside, make each room a haven for rest, romance and relaxation. All rooms contain original features and are decorated in keeping with the period atmosphere.

All Guestrooms Feature:

Individual Period Decor
Large Ensuite Bathrooms
Flat Screen Televisions
Direct Dial Telephones
Luxurious Duck-Down Duvets

Delectable Treats Await!

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. World tastes are combined 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 romantic Louis XIV dining room, where tables are always reserved for residents.

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

A Journey Through Time

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). The newlyweds and her two sons went to live at Luimneach Castle in Limerick. They were happy there, and later Maire Rua bore Edward 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. Finally in 1989, Charles Cooper had the brilliant idea of transforming his ancestral castle into a hotel, and the rest as they say, is history!

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 domestication the Estate!

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.