Ashford Castle
Grand medieval castle meets thoughtfully curated luxury. Think Murano chandeliers, silk-lined walls, antique furniture, and Waterford Crystal — but run by a team that actually knows your name. Formal without being stuffy.
Book The Boathouse well in advance — it's the only one and it sells out months ahead
Why It Matters
Ireland's only Forbes Five-Star hotel and winner of Virtuoso 'Best Hotel in the World' in 2017. The Spa has won Ireland's Best Hotel Spa 10 consecutive times at the World Spa Awards. One of the few places in the world where you can actually sleep inside a medieval castle that has hosted royalty.
An 800-year-old castle on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle is the real deal. Founded in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family and later shaped by the Guinness family in the 19th century, it's now part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. The 350-acre estate packs in falconry, a 9-hole golf course, fishing, horse riding, a Forbes Five-Star spa, and 83 individually designed rooms. It holds Ireland's only Forbes Five-Star hotel rating.
Where You'll Stay
11 room types available
Corrib Lake View Room
Same elegance as the Corrib Room but upgraded with magnificent views over Lough Corrib. Feature beds, chandeliers, and custom-designed carpets make these a notable step up.
Corrib Room
The entry point into the castle, but don't let that fool you. These individually designed rooms come with feature beds, Egyptian cotton linen, custom Bayou Ashford Castle toiletries, and turndown service. Traditional elegance throughout.
Deluxe Queen Family Room
Two queen beds overlooking Lough Corrib, with interconnecting rooms available for larger families. Family amenities and extras are included. One of the few room types specifically configured for families.
Two Queen
Deluxe Room
Wonderful views over the Ashford Estate, feature beds with chandeliers, custom carpets, and an in-room bar. A genuine step up in both space and finish.
Junior Stateroom
The entry suite tier at Ashford Castle. Immaculate attention to detail, seamlessly blending traditional style with modern comfort. Antique furniture, magnificent views, and interconnecting rooms available. A real taste of castle grandeur.
Kennedy Suite
Named after US Senator Ted Kennedy, this suite sits in the oldest wing of the castle. Murano chandeliers, an in-room sherry nightcap, lake views, and an interconnecting room available. The historical naming adds a real sense of occasion.
Lake View Deluxe Room
The attention to detail here is excellent — antique furniture, custom carpets, and those incredible Lough Corrib views. One of the most popular room categories in the castle.
Reagan Presidential Suite
Named after President Reagan, who stayed in 1984 as a personal guest of then-owner John A. Mulcahy. Split-level, lake views, Murano chandeliers, and a complimentary bar for the duration of your stay (on full-rate reservations). The top of the castle accommodation ladder.
Stateroom
Located in the oldest part of the castle with Lough Corrib views. These rooms come with Murano chandeliers, self-controlled fireplaces, an in-room bar, and large bathrooms. The fireplace in an original castle room is the standout detail here.
Suite
King size beds, a separate seating area, an in-room bar, and feature chandeliers. The private dining space within the suite adds real separation and makes these feel genuinely spacious.
KingThe Boathouse
This is the one people talk about. A standalone boathouse perched over Lough Corrib, originally used by the Guinness family to store Italian Riva boats. Now a private sanctuary for two with its own front door, lakeside terrace, 24-hour butler, and a pair of bicycles. The marble bathroom — with a two-person tub — is roughly the size of a small bedroom. Rare antiques and original artworks by French painter Louis Icart throughout. Bedroom is 6.2m x 5.2m; bathroom is 4.5m x 3.0m.
King · 36 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
10 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A state-of-the-art 3D tour of the full castle, available both online in advance and on-site. Good for getting your bearings across the sprawling estate.
Archery sessions on the estate grounds.
Clay shooting on the estate, with instruction available for beginners.
Guided boat excursions on Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake. Takes in the scenery, wildlife, and local history of the lake.
Estate-led dining experiences, curated food and beverage tastings, and culinary events inspired by the traditions of the west of Ireland.
Cycling across the 350-acre estate and surrounding countryside. Bicycles are also included with The Boathouse accommodation.
Lough Corrib is one of Ireland's great fishing lakes. The castle organises guided fishing trips on the lake.
Trail rides across the 350-acre estate. Suitable for various experience levels.
A 9-hole golf course within the estate grounds.
One of the oldest schools of falconry in Ireland, run on the Ashford estate. The Hawk Walk is consistently rated the standout experience by guests — you walk the grounds with a Harris hawk on your gloved fist. Multiple sessions available.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Full-service business centre with audio-visual equipment.
An on-site cinema within the castle for guest use.
Life Fitness equipment with On Demand+ technology (500+ fitness experiences), treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, free weights (2.5–25kg), and fixed weight machines. Interactive Halo app included.
Studio offering yoga (small group and 1-1), personal training, functional strength programmes, ICG bikes, and Life Fitness Heat Row.
A historic walled garden on the 350-acre estate.
Dedicated splash pool for children within the Éalú centre.
Pavilion-style indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and biophilic design. Part of the Éalú leisure centre.
A dedicated leisure and fitness centre opened on the estate. Biophilic design with floor-to-ceiling windows. Includes a 15m swimming pool with lap lane, children's splash pool, jacuzzi, essence-infused steam room, KLAFS sauna, fully equipped gym with Life Fitness technology, and a functional fitness studio. Access is exclusive to hotel guests during their stay.
Dedicated concierge team including an on-site Activity Coordinator (Michael) for booking estate experiences.
Exclusive 24-hour butler service available to guests staying in The Boathouse.
On-site shops selling castle-branded hampers, homewares, clothing, and handmade chocolate creations.
BUILD YOUR ASHFORD CASTLE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning