Songdoc

Dromoland Castle (near Shannon) was wonderful and Ashford Castle (in Cong) was AMAZING. I'll be returning to Ireland -- but this time staying close to Dublin, Belfast, and the Antrim coast.

Are there any castle hotels in these areas that are of the caliber of Ashford Castle?

The castle hotels I've looked at online (Clontarf, Kinnity, Fitzgerald's) seem more like modern hotels on the site of former castles.

At Ashford and Dromoland, the bedrooms were modern - but there were plenty of galleries, halls, pubs, and restaurants that made me feel like I was really in a castle.

Thanks!

youngblueeyes

Check out the following sites for ideas.

http://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/

http://www.12travel.ie/ie/accommodat...les/index.html

Songdoc

Hmmm .... from what I see, I think the answer is that there's nothing on par with Ashford Castle in the Dublin or Belfast areas.

Please let me know if I'm wrong

Foley

Hi Songdoc,
Adare Manor is the only castle that I stayed in which can compete with Ashford or Dromoland – but it is not near Dublin. A castle in which I haven’t stayed but may meet your requirements is Castle Leslie: “At Castle Leslie — the setting of Paul McCartney's ill-fated nuptials — you can stay in the newly refurbished private members’ club, whose 20 unique guestrooms are decorated with antiques and Victorian heirlooms. The magnificent 1,000 acre County Monaghan estate — just 70 miles from Belfast, or 90 miles from Dublin beside the picturesque cut stone village of Glaslough”
Nearer to Dublin you might consider Carton House or the K Club but neither compare with the castle/quality of Ashford,Dromoland/Adare.

Angela

On the Antrim Coast the only place close to what you're after is Bushmills Inn. It's not a castle, but it's absolutely beautiful and olde worlde, with loads of fires and good pints of guinness!!. Worth a look.

Again, nothing quite like what you are after in Belfast, but have a look at Culloden Hotel.

Angela

cambe

Hi Songdoc,

I don't know anything that is casle like and not hotel like other than the 2 you have mentioned.

I would also have suggested Castle Leslie which is midway between Dublin and Belfast.

Colloden is interesting as it was once the Bishop of (I think Down & Dromore) residence and is really very nice.

Love Bushmills Inn but I expect you know of it from your last trip to Co Antrim.

A few others you might check

Belfast - The Merchant Hotel which was the headquaters of the Ulster Bank and in the up and coming Cathedral Quater.

Derry - Ardtara Country House Hotel.

Helen

BTW I read your tripreport on Norway in a Nutshell before my recent trip to Norway and it had me hooked.

jaja

Have you looked at Smarmore Castle Hotel? http://www.smarmorecastle.com

Songdoc

Smarmore Castle Hotel looks VERY interesting! Thanks.