Spring 1169…
On the south coast of Wales a ship launches, bound for Irish shores.
On board are a small band of Normans and the deposed King of Leinster, Dermot MacMurrough, a man hell-bent of revenge and determined to reclaim his throne.
Their arrival at Bannow Bay in County Wexford marked the beginning of the Anglo-Norman invasion and changed Ireland’s landscape forever.
They brought bloodshed, a new language, common law, parliamentary systems… they even imported deer so they could indulge in their favorite pastime of hunting them. They established towns and they built castles. Lots of them.
By the time the 17th century rolled around most of the Anglo-Norman leaders left Ireland to pick their battles elsewhere and today your chances of meeting a hauberk-clad knight on your travels to the Emerald Island are slim.
What you will find, most every place you look, is castles, most of which have been restored to their former glory and offer the chance to immerse yourself in the history, romance, and grandeur of a bygone era.
If you want to visit one, stay in one, or even buy an Irish castle of your very own, you’ve got some great options in the Emerald Isle…
To Visit…
About an hour-and-a-half drive from Dublin airport, in the southeast of Ireland, on the banks of the 87-mile long river Nore, lies Kilkenny. In the heart of the city, set in over 50 acres of parkland and overlooking the river below, is where you’ll find the majestic Kilkenny Castle.
Dating back to the 12th century, this Norman castle was owned for centuries by a wealthy Anglo-Norman family, the Butlers of Ormonde. Following on from a decline in their fortunes and the Irish Civil War, the castle had fallen into a sorry state. In 1967, the Earl of Ormonde, James Butler, sold the castle to a restoration committee for the nominal sum of £50 (around $110).
Today, the castle is in state ownership and is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions. It’s open daily (excluding Dec. 25 through 27) and admission is €12 ($14) for adults and €10 ($12) for seniors.
To Stay…
Located on the Galway-Mayo border and shadowing the village of Cong, Ashford Castle sits on a lush, 350-acre estate on the banks of Lough Corrib, and is regularly ranked among the world’s best hotels.
Originally founded by the Normans in 1228, over the centuries Ashford has undergone many transformations. In 1852, it was purchased by the Guinness family who extended the estate and added Victorian extensions to the existing French-style chateau.
In 1939 it became a hotel renowned for its impressive program of country pursuits and in 1959, when director John Ford arrived in town to film “The Quiet Man”, it played host to Hollywood greats John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. If you want to watch The Duke in action, where better than the hotel’s plush 32-seater cinema where the original movie posters adorn the walls.
In 1970 the castle changed hands once more, undergoing a complete restoration, doubling in size, and seeing the addition of an impressive golf course.
By 2013, its glory had faded when South African hoteliers Bea and Stanley Tollman stepped in. With love, dedication, and let’s face it, a serious whack of cash, they carefully and faithfully restored the castle. Granted, the state-of-the-art spa probably wasn’t in the Norman’s original plans but wander the castle corridors and you’ll see evidence of their heartfelt attention to detail and respect to the castle’s past at every turn through historical displays, reclaimed treasures, and a photo gallery of former guests, featuring kings, queens, presidents, and stars of stage and screen down through the decades.
Aside from the spa, the cinema, a billiards room, cigar terrace, a wine cellar where you can enjoy private tastings, and your choice of restaurants—from silver service in the George V dining room to the relaxed bistro-style of the dungeon—there’s also those sprawling grounds to explore. Falconry, boat trips, tennis, archery, clay shooting, golf, tennis… the list goes on.
This is 5-star luxury at 5-star prices. Rates for a one-night stay start at around $550 for a standard room, rising to $5,500 for the Reagan presidential suite.
If your budget can’t take the hit, check out The Lodge at Ashford. Built in 1865 for the Castle’s Estate Manager, it’s now a chic country house hotel in the castle’s grounds. Rooms start around $250 a night. A lake-view suite will set you back around $750.
To Buy…
In county Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland, this contemporary coastal castle is for sale.
Built in the 1990s and surrounded by a moat, this 9,000 square foot Gothic Revival style castle features six bedrooms (three of which are ensuite), a Tudor-style staircase, an elevator, underground pool, and a private harbor.
The castle is situated on the shore of Kenmare Bay and offers panoramic views over the bay and beyond to the Caha mountains. The popular village of Kenmare is a 10-minute drive from the property and around 90 minutes from Cork airport.
The castle, named An Culu, is on the market for €4.5 million ($5.2 million).
Sincerely,
Victoria Harmer
Editor, Overseas Opportunity Letter
