It is difficult to know where to start with a property that has over 800 years of history like Ashford Castle. The original Castle was built in 118 by the ‘De Burgos’ an invading Anglo-Norman family and became their stronghold until 1589. Through the generations, it has been home to many families including the famous Guinness family in 1852 and each generation has added, renovated and augmented the Castle into what is there today. Much of the character of the Castle developed in the mid-1860s when Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness left the estate to his son and wife. They planted over 1 million trees on the estate and rebuilt the Castle in a Baronial style. The property has changed hands several times between 1939 and today, but it wasn’t really until 1951 when Director John Ford came to the west of Ireland to film the classic “The Quiet Man,” starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne that the hotel acquired global fame. In 1984 US President, Ronald Regan stayed in Ashford with his wife Nancy as part of their tour of Ireland, and in 2012 the Castle was purchased by Mr & Mrs. Stanley & Beatrice Tollman and is now part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection.
Ashford is located in the village of Cong, in County Mayo in the west of Ireland and is part of a 350-acre estate. It is the epitome of style, luxury, and hospitality. Each one of its 83 rooms and suites and the Hideaway Cottage is unique. The furniture, finishing’s, fabrics, artwork, lighting, and fixtures have been chosen by the owners to reflect the history of the estate and the significance of the building. This is not so much a hotel but a piece of living history. The entry-level Corrib Rooms, for example, are incredibly comfortable and offer guests every modern luxury while cocooned in luxurious surroundings. As you would expect, wireless internet, superior beds, and bedding, mini bar are all as standard, but it is the little touches such as fresh daily flowers, maid service, turndown, Bluetooth technology, electronic blinds as standard that adds to the experience. As you move into the Corrib Lake View Rooms and Lake View Deluxe rooms the experience gets even more luxurious, more unique and with stunning views to accompany them. Feature chandeliers, custom designed carpets, and dedicated seating areas and work desks are included.
The selection of ‘Staterooms’ and ‘Suites’ that are offered at Ashford are quite simply breath-taking in their luxury, elegance, and design. The high ceilings, the views of Lough Corrib, four-poster beds, original fireplaces, and antique furniture are just some of the features that provide for a spectacular experience. However, it is the Reagan Presidential Suite that will blow away any guest. Located in the oldest part of the hotel the Suite features an antique George III four-poster bed, stunning original art, antiques, and furniture. The two bathrooms are beautifully appointed, and the Suite can be connected to two adjacent rooms to make it into a three-bedroom suite with complete privacy. The opulence and beauty of this Suite can only be seen to be believed.
The elegance and beauty in the main body of the Castle cannot be understated. From the moment you enter the double height Oak Hall, your senses are struck with the beauty of the interior and in particular the wood paneling and stunning balustrade. You are also likely to encounter two exceptional residents, a pair of Irish Wolfhounds who are always there to greet guests. There are many public rooms throughout the building, each one with a unique character and style. Arguably the most spectacular is the George V Dining Room, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily. It was built in 1905 and is adorned by an array of striking Waterford Crystal chandeliers, rich wood, and beautiful furniture. There is arguably not a more elegant dining room anywhere else in the world. Adjacent is the Drawing Room, the perfect place to grab a newspaper and morning coffee and relax while taking in the views across the gardens, fountains and onto the lake. The Prince of Wales Bar is an elegant space where you can treat yourself to an excellent selection of cocktails, whiskeys, and brandies as well of course as a perfect pint of Guinness.
The Connaught Room and The Inglenook are impressive spaces. The former is where the long-held tradition of Afternoon Tea is served daily providing guests with stunning views over the lake. The Inglenook has the most impressive fireplace in the hotel, wooden carved figures that date back to the Renaissance period surround the granite enclosure, and two intimate seating areas provide a cozy space to curl up and enjoy the heat. A highlight of the Inglenook room is the 1,043 piece silver-gilt dining service that was formerly owned by the man who built the Brooklyn Bridge, Washington Augustus Roebling!
The Wine Cellar was restored in 2015 from a former underground access tunnel to now a three-roomed wine tasting area that showcases over 3,000 bottles of wine, where wine tasting and à la carte plates can be enjoyed. The Dungeon is the Castle’s dramatic bistro-styled restaurant. The beautiful vaulted stone ceiling, subdued lighting, stone floor and tapestry’s give it a magical atmosphere.
In addition to the spaces above, the Castle has a 32-seat cinema, a Billiards Room and Cigar Terrace where connoisseurs can select from over 30 fine cigars including some from Mr. Tollman’s private collection while enjoying a whiskey or brandy. There is a spa and fitness center, Cullen’s Cottage in the grounds serving dinner in this rustic thatched house and also an array of activities and outdoor pursuits to enjoy. Guests can try their hand at fishing on the river, one of Ireland’s most plentiful salmon domains, archery, clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, equestrian activities, cycling, zip lining, falconry, tennis and even golf on the estate’s own private 9-hole golf course. There genuinely is something for everyone at Ashford.
The list of awards and accolade that Ashford Castle has received, particularly since the last major renovation in 2015 are far too many to mention. Ashford is simply one of the most spectacular Castle properties not only in Ireland but anywhere in the world and we at The Consummate Pro cannot recommend it highly enough to our guests.