Always dreamt of an overnight stay in a castle? We totally get you! Here is our bucket list of the best castle hotels in Ireland.
With so many things going on in the world right now, we think it’s time to spoil ourselves a little. And staying at a castle has always been a secret childhood dream.
Thankfully, the Emerald Isle has no shortage of options in terms of royal-style accommodation options. And even though we are not sure our bank account currently allows us to stay at all the luxury places, one can dream, right?
Check out our favourite castle hotels in Ireland below – and send us a selfie if you make it to one of the fairytale destinations!
10. Markree Castle, Co. Sligo – an elegant holiday home on the Wild Atlantic Way
This family-run 17th-century castle opened its doors in 2017 after extensive renovations and is the only castle hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way to date.
Featuring 31 luxury bedrooms and a three-room Honeymoon apartment, all coming with stunning views over the 500-acre estate, it offers a homey atmosphere and tons of nearby activities such as mountain biking, surfing, stand up paddling, and hawk walks.
Its location is just a 25-minute drive from Sligo town, making it an excellent base to explore Ireland’s wild West.
Prices: Contact directly for current rates
Address: Clooneenroe, Collooney, Co. Sligo, Ireland
More info: HERE
9. Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry – a beautiful vacation base to explore Kerry
This four-star-property is located just outside of Tralee, sitting in the centre of 30-acres of private gardens and woodland.
Guests sleep in 44 elegant double, family and lodge rooms and reviewers keep raving about their in-house Rosette O’Connell Restaurant and the traditional Afternoon Tea.
We especially love their beautiful gardens and if it weren’t for the spectacular outdoors Kerry had to offer, we’d probably end up spending the whole day there just reading a book and enjoying the surroundings.
Prices: from €152 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Tralee, Ballyseede, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
8. Bellingham Castle, Co. Louth – one of the most intimate castle hotels in Ireland
Set on the banks of River Glyde, less than an hour drive from Dublin and Belfast, this 17th-century property is an easy-to-reach fairytale home.
Bellingham Castle sits in the heart of a beautiful 17-acre estate including a weir and a man-made river island with footbridges, flower beds and trees. It only has 19 rooms, so you will get a real VIP experience.
There’s a cosy library, bars and drawing rooms as well as beautiful gardens all around the hotel for sunny days.
It comes with little surprise that this is one of the most popular wedding spots in the area. It’s definitely one of the best secret escapes in Ireland.
Prices: from €145 per night
Address: Castlebellingham, Co. Louth, Ireland
7. The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens, Co. Kerry – a family-friendly castle with ponies and ruins
This five-star-retreat in the heart of Kerry just had to go on our bucket list – of all places we checked it was the only one coming with its very own 12th-century castle ruins!
The decadent place is set on a 64-acre estate and makes a great relaxing oasis for the whole family. Even pets are welcome! There’s complimentary trekking on Haflinger Ponies, indoor tennis, a beautiful spa with all sorts of beauty treatments and an award-winning restaurant on-site.
In terms of rooms, we especially love their luxurious suites with private steam rooms overlooking the Gap of Dunloe.
Prices: from €260 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Dunloe Lower, Beaufort, Co. Kerry, V93 E029, Ireland
6. Lough Eske Castle, Co. Donegal – a five-star-oasis just ten minutes from Donegal Town
At the foot of the mountains, overlooking Lough Eske and surrounded by 43 acres of forest, five-star Lough Eske Castle has been one of the most popular castle hotels in Ireland for VIP travellers since the 19th century.
They have 97 rooms and suites – from elegant courtyard guest rooms set in the original castle stables to massive suites -, a luxury spa with pool, sauna and tropical shower in the estate gardens and top-notch bars as well as an in-house restaurant.
Good news for pet lovers: cats and dogs are welcome to come to stay at this top luxury hotel in Ireland, too.
Prices: from €285 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Lough Eske, Donegal, F94 HX59, Ireland
5. Adare Manor, Co. Limerick – a dream castle hotel for exploring the West
With Bunratty Castle at its doorstep, the Cliffs of Moher a 90-minute drive and Dingle Peninsula two hours away, this five-star-property is one of our dream castle hotels in Ireland for exploring the West.
Adare Manor was named the best resort in Europe and the fifth-best in the world by Condé Nast and it’s easy to see why: Located on 840 acres of parkland, it has gorgeous rooms, suites and cottages, a Michelin star restaurant, a luxury spa, a golf course and even a private cinema.
We’d probably end up spending most of our vacation on the hotel premises – but would you really blame us?
Prices: from €725 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W8WR, Ireland
4. Ballynahinch Castle, Co. Galway – a luxury castle hotel for outdoor fans visiting Connemara
This four-star hotel is the perfect base for active travellers looking to explore Connemara in style. Located in a 700-acre estate of woods, lawns and walking trails, guests can enjoy various outdoor activities like horse riding, lobster fishing or hiking at their doorstep.
The traditionally furnished rooms, suites and lodges feature luxury facilities such as private gardens, open log fires and dressing rooms, while the castle itself houses an award-winning restaurant as well as its very own pub.
Book their exclusive cottage with six bedrooms for extra privacy.
Prices: from €280 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Recess, Connemara, Recess, Co. Galway, H91 F4A7, Ireland
3. Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare – a long-term favourite of the rich and famous
1000-year-old Dromoland Castle has been welcoming the rich and famous since the 16th century and its mix of imposing baronial facade, luxury-traditional interiors and modern comfort continue to impress.
Guests can choose between luxury suites and apartments, the most prestigious one being the Brian Boru Suite complete with a four-poster bed, separate dressing room and freestanding bathtub (€ 2,521).
The Castle itself is situated on a 450-acre private countryside estate with its own golf course and features several restaurants, a country club and a world-class spa with six treatment rooms.
Prices: from €525 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare, V95 ATD3, Ireland
2. Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo – an 800-year-old celebrity hotspot
One of the most luxurious castle hotels in Ireland, Ashford Castle has welcomed celebrities such as Brad Pit, John Lennon, Oscar Wilde and John Wayne – and we really wouldn’t mind adding our names to the guest book!
The 800-year old estate on the shores of Lough Corrib is the former home of the Guinness family and Ireland’s first Forbes five-star hotel.
It has 83 exquisite rooms and suites (the presidential suite going for a whopping € 3,750 per night!) and Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa (according to the World Spa Awards) – with a striking relaxation pool, steam room, hammam ceremonies and all kinds of face and body treatments.
Royal-style leisure activities include fly fishing, horseback riding and candle-light dinners in the dungeons.
Prices: from €525 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: Ashford Castle Estate, Cong, Co. Mayo, F31 CA48, Ireland
1. Waterford Castle, Co. Waterford – a romantic castle hotel on a private island
We don’t sleep in a castle every night (and we assume you probably don’t either), so why not add the luxury of a private island to complete the fairytale experience?
Waterford Castle sits on an island on the River Suir, completely detached from the mainland and can be accessed by private ferry only – the perfect setting for a romantic couple getaway.
Our favourite of the castle hotels in Ireland, this 16th-century property boasts stunning luxury rooms and suites, breathtaking views, the Michelin-star Munster Room Restaurant and a private golf course.
Unsurprisingly, the 16th-century castle is also a popular place for couples to tie the knot.
Prices: from €242 per night – CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Address: The Island, Ballinakill, Co. Waterford, X91 Y722, Ireland
