Ashford Castle
County of Mayo, Ireland
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About the Hotel
A thirteenth century castle buried deep in a wooded parkland sounds like the setting for a fairy tale, but really it is home to the exclusive Ashford Castle. Standing impressively on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo, Ireland, Ashford Castle is a monument to a fascinating and timeless history. Once the Guinness Family estate, the Castle has since opened its doors as an exclusive luxury hotel in 1939. Where else could one spend the morning learning how to fly a hawk at the School of Falconry, escape to the Walled Garden for a romantic picnic, and relax in the afternoon with a soothing massage at the spa? Filled with family heirlooms, rich furnishings and priceless objets dâ€(TM)art, Ashford presents the chance to enjoy the splendor of a bygone era in comfort and style.
Location
Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle Estate, Leaf Island,
County of Mayo, Ireland
F31 CA48
Nearest Airport: GWY
Features and Amenities
- Dining
- Private Dining
- Wine Cellar
- Bar
- Afternoon Tea
- Wine Bar
- Lounge
- Seasonal Restaurant
- Restaurants
- On-Site Amenities
- Heliport
- Fitness Center
- Garden
- Theater
- Movie Theater
- 3 9-Hole Golf Courses
- Chauffeur Service
- Equestrian Center
- Complimentary WiFi
- In-Room Amenities
- Turndown Service
- In-Room Safes
- Satellite Television
- Flat-Screen Televisions
- Work Desks
- Bathrobes & Slippers
- Complimentary WiFi
- Deep Soaking Tubs
- Activities
- Bicycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Tennis
- Wine Tasting
- Canoeing
- Clay Bird Shooting
- Billiards
- Archery
- Boating
- Zip-Lining
- Business
- Meeting Rooms
- Business Center
- Conference Facilities
- Business Services
- Catering Services
- Family
- Children's Programs
- Teen Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Interests
- Active & Adventure
- Chateaus & Castles
- Culture & Arts
- Golf
- Honeymoons & Romance
- Hotels
- Signature Perks
Reviews for Ashford Castle
OUGHTERARD SENIOR GOLF LADIES
The Oughterard senior ladies travelled to Ashford Castle via Corrib Cruises for the 3rd successive year and once again we were treated like Royalty. Adrian and his team welcomed us on arrival and ensured our Golf experience was wonderful Mrs Ts again did a superb job, and our lunch in Cullens was delicious A special word of thanks to all concerned. To the Managing Director Mr Nial Rochford a special word of thanks to your wonderful Team. Margaret Donnellan on behalf of our group
Margaret D
A Legendary Castle Stay Full of Small Touches
Ashford Castle is one of those rare places that truly lives up to its legendary reputation. The castle itself is magnificent, but what makes it unforgettable are the sprawling grounds that surround it. Between the expansive lawns, ancient trees, and the beautiful shores of Lough Corrib, the setting is a natural wonder. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours simply wandering without ever feeling rushed. I thought the ending to the falconry excursion was a great summary of the stay. We walked into their business office where a young lady from the Castle stood with a canister. The wait staff at the castle had noticed that my wife and I favored ice tea as our drink of choice. They, therefore, sent her over with a canister of it so that we would have our preferred beverage available when we finished. It is these small things that create the experience. The gardens are also worth exploring. While I personally thought the walled garden at Dromoland Castle was even more impressive, Ashford’s gardens are still beautifully maintained and absolutely deserve a visit during your stay. Given the age and size of the castle, I noticed a few more cobwebs than I might expect from a luxury hotel. That said, maintaining a structure of this age and complexity must be an enormous undertaking. Rather than detracting from the experience, it reminded me that I was staying in a centuries-old castle rather than a modern hotel, so I was more than willing to give it a pass. We had originally planned to play golf during our stay, but after seeing the nine-hole course, we decided to cancel. Compared with the rest of the estate, it simply didn’t seem particularly memorable, and we felt our time was better spent enjoying everything else Ashford has to offer. One recommendation: take some time to play croquet. The lawn is set up behind the castle beside the lake, and it’s one of the most relaxing ways to soak in the incredible surroundings. Spending an afternoon playing a leisurely game while overlooking the water and the castle grounds felt quintessentially Irish and became one of our favorite memories of the trip. Ashford Castle offers an extraordinary combination of history, luxury, and natural beauty. It’s far more than a hotel—it’s a destination in itself, and one we hope to return to someday.
Chris R - Marco Island, Florida
MAGICAL EXPERIENCE LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE
Where to even begin... Ashford Castle is a magical experience from the second you arrive. The service is like nothing you've ever experienced before. Every staff member has a smile, is kind, and is extremely accommodating. While at tea time with my family, the staff overheard us talking about a sports game that was on super late (we are American and our sports are affected by the time difference) and approached us to say that they'd make sure to have the game on for us in the billiards room, despite it being from about 1:30-4:30 am. And yes, we watched it. They had someone who was even able to bring us drinks and food at the time and several staff members approached us to chat about them the next day. They really do make you feel special. The activities we did at the castle were incredible. The hawk walk, clay shooting, and archery are things we will talk about for years to come. The hotel is clean and modern. The property is enormous and stunning. The food is divine. The hotel breakfast has an immense variety and all of it is of high quality. I don't know what they put in the pancakes but there are not many things I wouldn't do to get my hands on the recipe. Tea time was lovely and theatrical, just like breakfast. The spa facilities are clean and enjoyable. The wine cellar is something out of a movie. The beds are extremely comfortable. They will shuttle you everywhere you need to go and housekeeping even folded my clothes and changed my bath towels after stepping out of the room for only a short time. I can go on and on but I will end on this: my girlfriend almost cried when it was time to check out. It's an experience you will never forget and I only wish I spent more time there.
Christopher H
Absolutely favorite place to stay
Absolutely amazing. We stayed two nights with our kids and we all were so sad to leave. The room was very comfortable, the food was amazing and the staff were so incredibly kind. The grounds were wonderful. We based our Ireland trip on Giants causeway so this location was a great place to end our trip. It is a pricey stay but totally worth it.
935marcyp - Lenexa, Kansas
Exceptional hotel experience with service above many other 5 star places.
It was the most enjoyable hotel stay in my 3 weeks visit to Ireland in June 2026. Everything was perfect with beautifully appointed room to the scrumptious dinner at the Oak room. Hotel staff are well trained and have a genuine interest to serve.
Carole L - Singapore, Singapore
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This is one of the finest properties we have ever visited. It is a beautiful castle, but it is also a world class hotel in the most beautiful setting you can imagine. The grounds are large and bikes are available for guests, the fishing on the river and the lake are first rate, and the service is unmatched. We have stayed twice and can't wait to go back again.
-D. & L. Butler
