Ireland’s grandest castle hotel, with a history going back to the early 13th century, Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres of beautiful parkland on the shores of Lough Corrib.
Grandeur, formality and tranquillity are the essential characteristics, first seen in immaculately maintained grounds and, once inside, in a succession of impressive public rooms that illustrate a long and proud history - panelled walls, oil paintings, suits of armour and magnificent fireplaces.
Beatrice and Stanley Tollman, of the South African hotel group Red Carnation Hotels, bought the hotel in 2013 and immediately began a major programme of repair, restoration and refurbishment to bring the building, interiors and the surrounding gardens and parkland back to their glorious best. And, in line with the Red Carnation Hotels policy, there is a strong focus on environmental initiatives. It is the first five star hotel in Ireland to be awarded GREENmark Plastic Smart recognition by GreenTravel.ie, the Green Tourism reference site for DiscoverIreland.ie, for its efforts in responsible tourism and commitment to remove all Single Use Plastics (SUPs) from the property by 2022. This, together with many other initiatives, includiung a sustainable food sourcing policy, led to Ashford Castle being selected for the inuagural GCGuides Sustainability Award in 2020.
All of the guest rooms, and the luxurious suites at the top of the castle - with magnificent views of Lough Corrib, the River Cong and wooded parkland - have been completely refurbished. Individuality has been respected however, and each room in some way reflects the special qualities of the hotel. Rooms vary considerably and some of the Corrib rooms are quite compact, but all are sumptuously furnished with period furniture and beautifully appointed bathrooms (some of which are enormous) with lovely Voya organic toiletries from nearby Co Sligo, which are also used in the spa. Some rooms have remarkable architectural features, such as a panelled wooden ceiling and fireplaces.
A unique accommodation option recently completed is a converted boathouse, 'The Hideaway Cottage'; luxuriously furnished and with its own terrace, open fire, private butler service, in-room couple spa treatment, and even your own golf buggy for getting around the estate, it offers the ultimate hideaway for couples.
The many extensive activities and outdoor pursuits available on the estate are conveniently detailed for guests, and the hotel’s exceptional amenities include an impressive Spa and Fitness Centre gloriously housed in a 3-tiered bronze conservatory with uninterrupted views across Lough Corrib.
State-of-the-art facilities include a couple's suite among the five treatment rooms, an invigorating Hammam, and relaxing steam room; also a beautiful terrace area, and a gym boasting the latest wellness innovation with 'PureFlow' technology, the first of its kind in Ireland, both with with lake views.
The Castle offers a number of dining options: The George V Dining Room (fine dining); The Connaught Room (dedicated to Afternoon Tea by renowned pastry chef, Mohamed Ouchbakou, which must be pre-booked); the atmospheric Dungeon Bar; and Cullen’s at the Cottage, on the grounds, which offers accessible all-day informal dining. In addition The Drawing Room and Cocktail Bar menus also offer informal meals.
Since the Tollman family took ownership of the Castle, wines from their sister property, Bouchard Finlayson Winery, have added a stronger South African dimension to Head Sommelier Philip Dunne's famous wine list. The wine experience is a unique feature of the hotel, where the Wine Cellars and 16th Century tunnels which were discovered during recent renovations now provide an atmospheric venue for private wine tastings and dinners, offering three private spaces with a cosy ambience and soft lighting.
George V Dining Room:
This very large, opulent dining room offers a combination of fine food and attentive service, under the direction of Maitre d’Hotel Martin Gibbons and Restaurant and Wine Programme Director, Robert Bowe, whose engaging presence adds greatly to this unique dining experience.
Executive Chef Philippe Farineau's passion for the food of the area and commitment to supporting artisan producers and independent suppliers is well known (his motto is 'French heart, Irish produce') and he takes pride in offering menus that give a true Taste of Ireland. Having joined the team at Ashford Castle in 2015, Chef Farineau is clearly in his element and has introduced an occasionally playful tone that lightens the mood of this sometimes intricate special occasion dining.
An eight-course Tasting Menu is offered (€150), also a five-course dinner menu with a choice of about nine dishes on the first and main courses, including some tempting vegetarian suggestions; the choice is wide, with a suggested wine (by the glass or by the bottle) with each starter and main course.
You might begin with the Ashford Castle version of Connemara brown crabmeat ravioli and, for the main course, Achill Island Black Face Lamb or Skeaghanore duck from West Cork. Game will be offered in season, and a speciality is Cote de Boeuf cooked in a Josper oven. Irresistible desserts, or a superb cheese trolley, to finish.
Surprisingly, perhaps, the George V Dining Room is very child friendly. Staff make a big fuss over children and an extensive Children’s Menu invites younger guests to ‘join Lord Ardilaun and his friends inside for some fun filled activity'; and is packed with games, puzzles and colouring pages as well as healthy and delicious things to eat and drink.
Although unarguably expensive, the dining experience at Ashford Castle gives value for money. In addition to the main wine list (see above) there also are wines of the month, and recommendations by the glass to accompany individual dishes.
Breakfast is also served in the George V Dining Room and, reflecting the overall experience at this extraordinary place, it offers a unique combination of tradition, a sense of place and the warmly professional service from outstanding staff that offsets any possible tendency to over-formality.
The buffet offers as fine a range of fare as the pickiest guest could desire (and will especially please those with a hankering for a continental-style start to the day), while the hot table service menu showcases local produce such as black and white puddings and sausages from the county's most famous butchers, Kelly's of Newport, in a classic Full Irish, along with traditional grilled kippers and many other favourites - there's even a 'free-from' organic porridge (no egg, gluten or dairy) offered with a range of tempting extras including Irish Whiskey.
And, while laying this delicious foundation for the day ahead, the wonderful setting is ever-present in the minds of breakfast guests, notably when the charming captain of one of the two lake cruisers - the MV Isle of Inisfree and the MV Corrib Queen 2 - tours the tables taking bookings for what is sure to be a memorable outing on beautiful Lough Corrib, with its 365 islands and magnificent mountain backdrop. Just one of the many activities offered here, but an opportunity that should be snapped up - and that breakfast will set the right mood to enjoy it fully.
*All meals in the castle are by reservation.
Cullen's at The Cottage:
On Ashford’s manicured lawns, a stone’s throw from the Corrib and within sight of the castle, Cullen’s at The Cottage is named after the late Peter Cullen, a much-loved former Maitre d’, and offers a completely different experience: mid-priced dining, open to the public, with none of the pomp and ceremony associated with the grandeur of meals served in the castle itself.
The kitchen is operated under the direction of Executive Chef Philippe Farineau, but it functions independently from the main castle kitchen. Internally the cottage has been transformed, and has an elegant New England feel with white and soft pastel tones; banquette seating creates natural divisions and a ceiling boat feature makes a great talking point.
The house speciality is 'Chicken Peri Peri' and the menu is a story of two halves - there is interesting Irish food, of course, but also now a selection of Mrs Tollman's own recipes, which offer a unique taste of a lifetime's love of food.
On a fine summer’s day, dining al fresco here has a continental air - and, there’s a short fairly priced wine list, with suggestions for food pairings. Well-trained staff give good service, while appearing to have all the time in the world to chat.
Mrs Tea’s Boutique & Bakery, alongside Cullen's, offers speciality food items, gifts and clothing (fashion, outer wear, golf/sportswear).
