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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.
Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle Estate, Leaf Island,
County of Mayo, Ireland
F31 CA48
Nearest Airport: GWY
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 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
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
Magical experience in the west of Ireland. Stayed here for 3 nights and proposed to my now Wife. We have an incredible stay with Ashford Castle. The services across all members of staff here is 5 star, no doubt. Every on-site restaurant and cafè is a treat, with specialities for any time of the day. The surrounding landscaping is breathtaking, not to mention the river Corrib and its views. We spent time in the snooker room, the theatre, and ate in all restaurants. I cannot fault a single thing at Ashford Castle. Our room was absolutely spotless and each member of the room servicing team spend time and effort ensuring the attention to detail for us was exactly what we expected.
S3513KOthomass - Dublin, Ireland
My number 1 requirement for visiting Ireland is to stay in castles. This is the first castle hotel we stayed in our trip and it was such an incredible experience. It is very luxurious and royal. From the outstanding service, gourmet food, stunning property, activities to scenic trails, everything was perfect. Booked the 2 nights 1 dinner package, highly recommend!
nstar92 - East Brunswick, New Jersey
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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