Hello:

I am tagging along on a business trip to Dublin with my fiancee and we would like to spend a couple of nights at the end of the trip in an historic or castle-like hotel in or around Dublin (maybe something similar to the Paradors in Spain?). We will be going in mid-July. Any suggestions?

More of a hotel than a castle but still a delight is Killiney Castle Hotel in the southern suburbs of Dublin near Bono`s house in Killiney. Enya lives down the road too.

I was also going to suggest Killiney Castle Hotel also.

Outside Dublin, free parking and you can DART to Dublin if you wish. Also some lovely walks. From Dalkey to Killiney is to die for, one of the best views in Ireland (IMO).

Also some fantastic restraurants.

In addition to the other suggestions the closest castle hotels to Dublin are Clontarf Castle, Kilkea Castle and Smarmore Castle. Google "ireland castle hotel list" and you will come up with websites to vistit.

I think Killiney Castle is probably the best option as you have pretty easy access to the city centre on the DART, but another good option would be Luttrelstown Castle.

Luttrellstown Castle is closed for refurbishment till 2006.