The image of majestic stone castles rising from rolling green fields is a romantic one, a fantasy held by many travelers who dream of Ireland. But that image is a reality all over this island nation, where visitors can tailor castle stays to their own whims and preferences, so varied are the castles' charms and features. Luxury accommodations, resident ghosts, medieval banquets and horseback riding can be found amid the collection of Irish castles. And regardless of a castle's location, striking views and sightseeing opportunities are never far away.
"There is pretty much everything that you could want -- literally everything from a tiny love nest to a huge, stately pile; everything from the point of view of price, from the point of view of location," said John Colclough, a luxury travel specialist at Adams & Butler in Dublin, which books castle stays. "You can have them on the seaside, you can have them in the middle of the mountains."
For top-tier service and extravagant lodging, Ashford Castle in County Mayo and Dromoland Castle in County Clare rank among the finest hotels in the country. Both have played host to myriad high-profile events, including James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan's wedding at Ashford and the 2004 European Union-U.S. summit at Dromoland. Both five-star properties sit in the picturesque West of Ireland, and Dromoland's 400-acre estate is only eight miles from Shannon Airport, meaning guests can enjoy pampering, golf and woodland wanders less than half an hour after landing.
Luxury, even at economy prices
Ashford Castle is a two-hour drive, but the route leads visitors on a winding tour of the breathtaking West before ending in Cong, County Mayo, a lush rural bastion of rolling hills and lakes where the John Wayne classic "The Quiet Man" was filmed.
Befitting five-star establishments, these castles offer all that visitors would expect from a luxury hotel -- fine dining, gorgeously appointed rooms, expansive golf courses and specialty pursuits such as falconry.
But you also can find castles at economy prices.
Belleek Castle, in County Mayo, offers single rooms from $118 a night and double rooms from $183. Nestled at the end of an extraordinary tree-lined drive, the 15th century structure boasts rooms that are stately yet not decadent. Belleek's grounds cover 1,000 forested, river-cut acres dotted with trails and bridges; visitors can tire themselves out strolling the grounds before returning to the castle and sitting down to a hearty meal in the elegant, wood-decorated dining room. Guests also can make private appointments to view the castle museum, which displays everything from fossils to 16th century armor in its vaults.
An entire castle may be rented
Renting out an entire castle is more affordable than you might expect. Colclough pointed out that certain small castles, encompassing only about three bedrooms, can be rented for $1,575 a week. Knappogue Castle, a five-bedroom medieval structure, can be rented in County Clare for $6,825 a week. The castle is a short drive from Shannon Airport and close to attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher. It stages a nightly medieval banquet, open to the public, with storytelling and medieval music from April through October.
There are, of course, other castles that can be rented at exorbitant rates. Humewood Castle in County Wicklow, for example, boasts 16 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms -- at a price that reaches $99,000 a week. The rental includes staff to take care of breakfast and daily cleaning.
Some castles claim to be haunted. Castle Leslie, in County Monaghan, has been in the Leslie family for generations -- and deceased members of the clan have allegedly turned up on more than one occasion. Leap Castle, in County Offaly, bills itself as the most haunted castle in Ireland.
Sean Ryan, who lives at Leap Castle with two family members, says they hear footsteps and doors creaking, and that one of the otherworldly entities likes to poke people. The Ryans offer tours.
And if visitors are determined to hit Ireland's top tourist attractions, Blarney Castle is a must-see. Here lies the legendary Blarney Stone, famed for its ability to bestow the gift of eloquence. Travelers should prepare for long lines at the County Cork landmark as well as a precipitous, sharp-angled lean to reach the stone, which can be kissed only by bending over backward on the top of the castle, held up by Blarney staff. Yet, regardless of the risk, most tourists wouldn't dream of visiting Ireland without a pilgrimage to the gift-of-the-gab attraction.
But whether you choose a luxury castle or go for the kitschy stuff, all of them offer Ireland's beautiful scenery and a warm welcome.
"The actual experience of somebody coming to stay in an Irish castle is not just the bed and the view and everything else," said Colclough. "It's the local people, and that really is what makes the holiday memorable."
IF YOU GO
IRELAND. Tourism information, discoverireland.com, 800-223-6470.
ADAMS & BUTLER. Books castle stays and tours;
www.irishluxury.com, 800-894-5712.
CASTLES.
Ashford,
ashford.ie, 800-346-7007
Belleek,
belleekcastle.com, 011-353-96-22400
Blarney,
blarney castle.ie, 011-353-21-438-5252
Dromoland,
dromoland.ie, 011-353-61-368-144
Humewood,
www.humewood.com, 011-353-59-647-3215
Knappogue,
www.shannonheritage.com, 011-353-61-360-788
Leap,
shannonregiontourism.ie, 011-353-57-913-1115
Leslie,
castleleslie.com, 011-353-47-88-100.353 61 360788
