Castle Hotel Stays – Ireland
Did you ever dream of being a princess? Or a king? I would have been happy to be Lady So-and-so of Thus-and-such, but I’m generally pretty happy with the life I have. But if you want to pretend you’re royalty and have a staff at your beck and call, there are plenty of places you can stay in a castle hotel, and few places do it better than Ireland. Many many castles in Ireland have been converted to hotels and resorts, and each offers something special.
On my recent trip to Ireland, there were lots of travel bloggers in Killarney for the TBEX blogging conference, and before and after the conference a few of them managed to stay in some sweet castle hotels. I asked them for their thoughts about the castles they stayed in, and they share their experiences (and photos) below.
KILKEA CASTLE
–Bret Love & Mary Gabbett, Green Global Travel

Kilkea Castle (Photo Credit: Green Global Travel)

Mary holds an owl! (Photo Credit: Green Global Travel)
We were honored to stay in their Ernest Shackleton Suite (named after Kildare’s famous explorer) several weeks before the resort opened to the public, and it was as posh and luxurious as any medieval castle could possibly hope to be. We’ve traveled all over the world, and Kilkea Castle ranks among our favorite places we’ve ever stayed!
KNAPPOGUE CASTLE

Knappogue Castle (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted, Ireland Family Vacations)

The Drawing Room at Knappogue Castle (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted, Ireland Family Vacations)
CASTLE LESLIE
-Julie and Charles McCool, McCool Travel

Castle Leslie in Glaslough Ireland (Photo Credit: Julie McCool, McCoolTravel.com)
Castle Leslie welcomes guests to a perfect balance of relaxed and historic luxury, on a family estate that dates from the 1660s. Rooms in the castle are spacious and comfortable, with quirky Victorian bathrooms and a strict no TV policy. The Lodge offers more modern rooms (with TVs) overlooking stables that draw equestrians from all over the world. Novice riders (like us) can take a “gentle hack” through the estate’s beautiful grounds, followed by dinner in the award-winning restaurant, and time to kick back and savor castle life.

The Blue Room at Castle Leslie (Photo Credit: Julie McCool, McCoolTravel.com)
ASHFORD CASTLE

Ashford Castle (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted: Ireland Family Vacations)

A Junior Suite at Ashford Castle (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted, Ireland Family Vacations)
GREGANS CASTLE

Gregans Castle (Photo Credit: Sher from SherSheGoes.com)
LOUGH ESKE CASTLE

Lough Eske by Day (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted, Ireland Family Vacations)
Few know that Lough Eske Castle in County Donegal was a mere shell before it was lovingly restored just 10 years ago. Now ranking as one of the top hotels in the world, guest can expect a warm cead mile failte from the staff, the majority of whom are local to the area. Rooms at Lough Eske Castle are luxurious and spacious, with connecting rooms for families well thought-out. As castle stays go, this is one of the most affordable in Ireland and you’ll meet a wide variety of people. Located on the shores of Lough Eske, the grounds are a wonderful maze of walking paths; a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the luxury of an Irish castle vacation.

Lough Eske by Night (Photo Credit: Jody Halsted of Ireland Family Vacations)
BARBERSTOWN CASTLE HOTEL

Barberstown Castle Hotel lounge lobby (Photo Credit: Sonja Holverson, Outbounding)
When one imagines staying in a 12th century Irish Castle thoughts of cold rugged stones, towers crowned by turrets, ghosts and dungeons most often come to mind. However, when one arrives at the entrance to the Barberstown Castle Hotel Kildare, a warm welcome is waiting inside a pristine white Victorian and Elizabethan blended luxury town house including conservatory windows along with two lion statues on each side of the entry step. A spacious uniquely decorated lobby lounge area opens out onto a lovely terrace which leads to 20 acres of gardens. The reception is discreetly placed on the left as you enter.

Barberstown Castle Hotel and Country House (Photo Credit: Sonja Holverson, Outbounding)
If you find yourself lost in the corridors and nooks and crannies looking for the dining room you will encounter elegant antiques and décor of days long past. You may even run face to face into a full body suit of armor around the next corner.

Barberstown Castle Hotel and Country House (Photo Credit: Sonja Holverson, Outbounding)
DROMOLAND CASTLE HOTEL

Dromoland Castle (Photo Credit: Cheryl and Lisa of What Boundaries Travel (whatboundariestravel.com))
There has been a castle on the site since the 11th Century, but the present building, in all its ivy-covered limestone and turreted glory, was completed in 1835. In 1962, the property was renovated and opened as the luxury Dromoland Castle Hotel.

Dromoland Castle (Photo Credit: Cheryl and Lisa of What Boundaries Travel (whatboundariestravel.com))
Freelance travel writer Victoria Hart witnessed a VIP arrival during her visit. “Dromoland Castle is an example of living history,” she said. “So often we experience history through a museum or by visiting ruins. It is refreshing to see a place with over 1000 years of history still being used and enjoyed by people who admire the majestic landscape that first attracted its creators and respect the historical events that transformed it into the place it is today. The level of service is still fit for royalty, and an experience I will always cherish.”

A VIP arrival at Dromoland Castle features a staff lineup and bagpipes. (Photo Credit: Victoria Hart)
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Beautiful castles! I was driving through the Ireland to photo abandoned castles, but the ones that are still standing are also beautiful!
Once I started looking into the castle hotels, I was amazed at how many there are! I’m curious about the abandoned ones that you photographed, though. Do you have a link to some of the photos you could share?