Have you ever dreamt about staying in a castle hotel in Ireland? I don’t blame you – castle hotels in Ireland are renowned for being romantic, luxurious and best of all incredibly relaxing. However, they also often come with a huge price tag.
This doesn’t always have to be the case though – I am all about finding the best prices for those on a mid-range budget. In this post, you can be sure that you will find the magical castle hotel of your dreams that fits your budget. Besides, we all deserve a treat now and again.
You don’t need to worry about location either as I have included the best castle hotels all across Ireland from Galway, Dublin and even as far north as Donegal.
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Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin
Many people are often surprised to hear that there is a stunning castle hotel located just 10 minutes away from Dublin’s city centre and 5 miles from Dublin airport – Clontarf Castle.
Clontarf Castle was first built back in 1172. However, the building that stands now is significantly more modern and was built in 1837. This area of Dublin has been seen a lot of Irish history with the most famous being The Battle of Clontarf when the King of Ireland defeated the Vikings in 1014.
Clontarf Castle Hotel is an oasis, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is surrounded by incredible golf courses, the Irish sea and many rooms come with views of the Wicklow Mountains.
Suites feature four-poster beds and include all mod-cons while common areas are filled with eclectic pieces of modern art.
Clontarf Castle also offers plenty of dining options for guests. Fahrenheit is the on-site restaurant which excellently highlights contemporary Irish cuisine. The Indigo Lounge is a sophisticated bar filled with red chandeliers and an outdoor terrace. And if afternoon tea is something you desire, then the newly opened Fusion Tea is perfect for you.
Clontarf Castle Hotel is one of the most famous castle hotels in Ireland and if you’re looking for an affordable castle stay in Dublin, then this is the place for you!
Check Rates: Booking.com
Ballyseede Castle Hotel, Co. Kerry
Ballyseede Castle is located near Tralee and it is the only castle hotel in all of Co. Kerry.
This enchanting 15th-century castle once belonged to the Fitzgerald family. However, in the late 16th-century, it was taken over by the Crown and granted to Robert Blennerhassett.
Surrounded by 30 acres of woodland and private gardens, this hotel is the perfect place to stay if you enjoy the outdoors. Also, try to take a guided tour of the hotel to learn more about Hilda, the friendly ghost that haunts the castle.
Inside Ballyseede Castle, prepare to be mesmerised by the traditional interior, in particular, the elegant grand oak staircase as you enter the building. Rooms are spacious and decadent and the on-site restaurant, O’Connell, has won several awards for its delicious Irish food.
The location of Ballyseede Castle ensures that guests will never be bored – nearby attractions include the spectacular Lakes of Killarney, Skellig Micheal (a must for Game of Thrones fans!) Islands, surfing, golfing and majestic walking routes.
Check Rates: Booking.com
The Lodge At Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is one of the oldest and most famous castle hotels in Ireland.
The castle once belonged to the well-known Guinness family. After many expansions, Ashford Castle is now at its full glory and exudes style and refinement.
However, staying at the hotel comes with a large price tag so if you are on a budget, then you should book your stay at The Lodge at Ashford Castle to save yourself some money.
Nestled away on 26,000 acres, there is so much to see and do at Ashford Castle from wine tasting, billiards, zip-lining, archery, a private cinema and golf to name but just a few.
Ashford Castle is a true glimpse at real luxury; the staff are incredibly kind, the amenities on site are out of this world and the food is incredible.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Cabra Castle, Co. Cavan
Cabra Castle is located about 90 minutes from Dublin and it is one of the most popular castle hotels in Ireland for weddings.
Don’t let that stop you from staying there though – set on over 100 acres of gardens and parklands and with over 105 bedrooms and 6 cottages built on the estate, Cabra Castle is a hotel not to be missed!
Cabra Castle Hotel was built in 1760 and has high ceilings, grand staircases and historic hallways. Guests are provided with four-poster beds in a medieval-style room with gorgeous views.
Guests love to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in this stunning castle hotel in Ireland. However if you’d like to see more of this idyllic location, there is also golfing, tennis courts and the beautiful mountains of Dun na Rí that can be easily explored.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Lough Eske, Co. Donegal
Lough Eske is a lakeside castle hotel located just 10 minutes away from Donegal town. It is one of the most well-known castle hotels in Ireland due to its location on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The castle dates back to the 14th-century but unfortunately in 1939, an unattended candle nearly destroyed the whole building. Lovingly restored, this Irish castle hotel opened its doors to guests in 2007.
Rooms in the hotel are beautifully wood-panelled with lots of traditional oak furniture. Guests are provided with fluffy bathrobes and slippers plus incredible views of the gardens.
An added bonus of Lough Eske Castle is the luxurious spa nestled in the castle garden. Here you can avail of pampering and restorative treatments in a peaceful setting.
There are plenty of dining options on site such as Cedars restaurant which serves mouthwatering seafood and famous Donegal dishes. The Father Browne Bar has a relaxing vibe where you can spend an evening enjoying a pint or two with live music.
If you are road-tripping along Wild Atlantic Way, then Lough Eske is the perfect choice for a stay at a castle hotel in Ireland.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Mount Falcon, Co. Mayo
Mount Falcon is located on banks of the River Moy in Co. Mayo and it is famous for its scrumptious food and award-winning accommodation. The castle was initially constructed as a wedding gift which has led it to be known as one of Irelands most romantic castle hotels.
Mount Falcon is a luxurious Victorian Gothic Manor house which was first built in 1876. There 32 bedrooms and 45 lodges located alongside the river. Surrounded by over 100 acres of magical woodlands, this is a truly stunning part of the West of Ireland.
There is so much to see and do on the grounds of Mount Falcon such as learning about Irish natural habitats, golfing, cycling and checking out the chef’s bees and garden.
There’s also a gorgeous spa onsite for those who wish to pamper and rejuvenate themselves. If you are looking for outdoor adventures with a mix of relaxation, then Mount Falcon is the perfect hotel for you!
Check Rates: Booking.com
Ballynahinch, Connemara, Co. Galway
One of the most serenely, beautiful castle hotels in Ireland that you could ever stay in is Ballynahinch Castle Hotel.
Ballynahinch Castle is set against the incredible backdrop of the 12 Bens Mountain range and surrounded by 700 acres of rivers, woodlands, and walking routes. The castle is also located along the Wild Atlantic Way which makes it the perfect base for touring the 2,500km driving route.
This castle hotel is perfect for a relaxing or an activity break. Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is the perfect destination to enjoy a luxurious overnight stop. You can expect the highest quality food with spectacular views in the on site restaurant, The Owenmore.
Connemara is a magical part of Ireland where you can enjoy activities such as fly fishing, hiking, cycling and lobster potting.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Lough Rynn, Co. Leitrim
Lough Rynn is a gorgeous castle hotel located in Leitrim and it is known as one of the top castle hotels in Ireland to stay in.
Built in the 19th-century, Lough Rynn was once the ancestral home of the legendary Lord Leitrim and it has now been transformed into a place of incredible luxury and comfort.
Lough Rynn Castle has walled gardens that provide its award-winning kitchen with fresh essentials. There are also historic sites, breathtaking scenery and the John McGahern library to enjoy.
Outside of the hotel, there are plenty of activities that you can partake in such as rowing, canoeing, golf, hiking, bike tours and fishing.
If you are not venturing on a road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Lough Rynn Castle is ideally located to enjoy a day trip to Mullaghmore, a must-see village on the North West coast in the County Sligo.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Markree Castle, Co. Sligo
Markree Castle is a stunning Irish castle hotel located in Co. Sligo. It was beautifully renovated in 2017 by the renowned Irish hotelier family, the Corscaddens and it is has become a very popular castle hotel in Ireland.
There are 31 luxury en-suite rooms on offer by the Markree Castle Hotel and it is an ideal spot for relaxation. The castle is also a dream wedding venue and/or honeymoon destination with the availability of an on-site chapel and a three-room honeymoon apartment suite.
Markree Castle Hotel is also the perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts with surfing, paddle boarding, golfing, sea trails guided walks and bird watching available close by.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Kinnitty Castle, Co. Offaly
Kinnitty Castle is located in Birr, Co. Offaly which has a picturesque location.
Kinnitty Castle was destroyed and burned down in 1213, but luckily the castle was rebuilt and restored in 1928. Despite the violent past it once endured, Kinnitty Castle is now considered to be one of the most luxurious castle hotels in Ireland.
Set against the backdrop of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this Irish castle hotel offers 4-star luxury at an affordable price. In the hotel, there are 37 bedrooms which are all modernly furnished and offer all the latest mod cons.
If you are looking for something to do in the evening, relax by the open fire with a warm drink, eat heavenly food cooked the chef or grab a fun drink in the Library bar.
Check Rates: Booking.com
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Over To You….
Which one of these beautiful castle hotels in Ireland would you most like to stay in?
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15 Comments
My friends and I unintentionally went on a castle tour of sorts when we were in Scotland and they were so fun to explore! I’d love to do the same in Ireland too (especially Ballynahinch Castle and Ashford Castle! *-*)!
I love the idea of staying in a castle – especially since Ireland is so close to the UK so I could probably rally some friends to go with me and keep me safe from the ghosts!
Oh my – now I have a new goal, stay in an Irish Castle! How amazing to have so many to choose from too! They are all so unique, how do you choose?!
I’ve always wanted to stay in a castle, so I’m glad that I have come across your blog post. Ireland looks absolutely breathtaking! If I had to choose, I’d probably stay at The Lodge at Ashford Castle.
WOW never would I dreamed of staying in a castle but now I can definitely plan a better trip to Ireland! Just please tell me there are no ghosts!
These castles are all so beautiful and your pictures are stunning! I’d love to take my girls to see them one day.
Cool blog Ciara. I’ve only been in 2 but stayed in none. Of those my favourite was Lough Rynn. Just can’t bring myself to shell out on a costly castle.
These look like an absolute dream! Ireland has been on my list for a while now, definitely need to look into staying in one of these castles instead of a typical hotel.
I would love this! Cabra Castle and Mt. Falcon in particular look AMAZING! I really enjoy reading about the history of these amazing castles turned hotels.
Oh wow these look amazing! We just spent a weekend in Dublin last month and it was our first visit to Ireland – we absolutely loved it and will surely be back to see the rest of the country. Bookmarking this post 🙂
Wow these castles look extremely beautiful..I would really love to experience .thanks for sharing
What a beautiful place! I love your photos as well. Thank you for sharing. I am adding to my bucket list.
Great article! Our favorite so far is Cahercastle in Co Galway. We stayed there a couple years ago and loved our experience!
Ooh staying in a castle hotel in Ireland would be a dream! Will need to keep this list handy for whenever I manage to drag my hubby across the pond.
I hope you get to drag him Kelly when we can all travel again – castles in Ireland are simply out of this world and are always set in the most beautiful settings!