Ashford Castle is a 12th-century medieval castle now converted into a prestigious hotel. As imposing as it is gigantic, Ashford Castle is impressive and was built in idyllic surroundings, on the shores of Lough Corrib, where it’s great to golf, fish or simply take a stroll!
Ashford castle – © borisb17
Ashford Castle was built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman Burgo family (also known as Burke), in County Mayo. The Burgo family lived here for 3 centuries, before losing the castle in 1589 in a battle with the British Sir Richard Bingham, then Lord President of the province of Connaught. The latter decided to create a fortified enclave around the castle, and spent many peaceful years there.
In 1715, the château changed hands once again, becoming the property of the Browne family. The latter officially created the “Domaine d’Ashford”, an estate extending over several hectares around the château, and commissioned the construction of an additional room, whose architecture and decoration were directly inspired by 17th-century French art.
Ashford Castle and grounds were finally purchased in 1852 by Benjamin Guinness, whose ambition was to modernize the fortress. He extended the estate to 26,000 hectares, built roads, planted trees and ordered the construction of 2 Victorian-style extensions to the castle.
The château is now monumental!
When Benjamin Guinness died, he bequeathed the estate to his son Lord Ardilaun, a passionate gardener who oversaw the development of the woodlands and rebuilt the castle’s west wing. He was one of Ashford’s most active owners. On his death, the castle was acquired by his nephew Ernest Guinness, who sold it in 1939 to Noel Huggard, who transformed Ashford Castle into a luxury hotel, offering activities such as fishing and shooting.
In 1970, Ashford Castle was purchased by John Mulcahy, who oversaw its complete restoration and expansion, doubling its size with the addition of a new wing, the construction of a golf course and the development of parkland and gardens. In 1985, a group of Irish-American investors, including Chuck Feeney, bought Ashford Castle. The château was eventually sold by these investors for 50 million euros.
In its day, the castle hosted many notable guests, including: King George V of the UK, his wife Queen Mary, Oscar Wilde (whose father, Sir William Wilde, had an adjacent property at Ashford, where the writer spent much of his childhood), LPGA golfer Mindy Miller, US President Ronald Reagan, HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, US Senator Edward Kennedy, Michael Castriota of Veneto King of All, John Wayne, HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his wife HSH Princess Grace.
As Ashford Castle has now been converted into a prestigious hotel, it’s obviously easier to visit if you’re a guest of the hotel (which means you’ll need to budget accordingly). You’ll have the chance to enjoy its gardens, its top-quality golf course, fish with your feet in the water of Lough Corrib, or visit Ireland’s falconry school, which has elected its apartments in one of the castle’s wings.
The estate also offers musical cruises along Lough Corrib, so you can explore the surrounding area at your leisure, and enjoy the treasures and riches of County Mayo.
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