Enchanting Castle Escapes in Ireland: Six Hotels to Book Now

The island of Ireland is home to unrivaled natural beauty and the highest echelon of luxury, leaving visitors spoilt with options for a fantastical getaway

The island of Ireland, steeped in timeless elegance and unrivaled allure, awaits discerning travellers eager to uncover its hidden treasures. Tourism Ireland has compiled a list of six extraordinary castles, where old-world luxury meets modern refinement, promising an experience that transcends the ordinary and transports visitors to a realm of unmatched luxury.

As the sizzling summer heat blankets the Gulf, Ireland emerges as an idyllic oasis, providing a haven of temperate climes and verdant landscapes. Within a mere eight-hour flight, GCC residents can easily transport themselves to a realm of opulence and enchantment.

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Belle Isle Castle, County Fermanagh

With 400 acres on a stunning private estate, Belle Isle Castle is fairy-tale luxury by the sparkling Fermanagh water’s edge. This award-winning castle hotel in Northern island presents an unrivaled opportunity to immerse oneself in sheer extravagance. Nestled within its picturesque estate, this magnificent haven accommodates up to 26 guests across 13 lavish bedrooms, ensuring an extraordinary retreat for large groups. Exuding an abundance of character, this enchanting estate offers an unparalleled experience that caters to both families and even beloved pets. Belle Isle offers a plethora of activities, including designated walking trails, fishing, boating, archery, and clay pigeon shooting for groups. After a day of appetite-building activities, guests can visit the Belle Isle Bistro, which is open for breakfast and dinner, in the footprint of the Belle Isle Cookery School.

Rates for a stay in Belle Isle Castle start at AED 945 per night.

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Blackwater Castle, County Cork

Blackwater Castle is an extraordinary site with an awe-inspiring heritage that spans over 10,000 years. Once graced by the presence of the former Viscount of Fermoy and Lords of the Barony of Fermoy, this illustrious estate also served as the Michael Jackson’s Cork hideaway. Steeped in captivating tales, Blackwater Castle stands as a testament to its unique cultural legacy. A stay at the castle blends history with luxurious comfort, accommodating 23 people across nine suites and a further 47 people in the Garden Apartments and dormitory, making for the ideal destination for a historical castle wedding or family trip. A short jaunt from the castle lies a picturesque village called Castletownroche, with a history of its own dating back to the 19th century, with a supermarket, pharmacy, beautician, and four pubs to enjoy a few brews and a meal.

Blackwater Castle creates customized price plans based on party size and the type of event. More information can be found here, or Blackwater Castle can be contacted at info@blackwatercastle.com.

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Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

Providing a truly one-of-a-kind experience epitomizing refined luxury, Lough Eske Castle Hotel is on the receiving end of numerous accolades such as Conde Nast’s Top Ten Luxury Hotels in

Ireland where it has retained its place for five consecutive years. The hotel’s pride and joy is the dining experience, with fresh, locally sourced food prepared by expert chefs. With three restaurants to dine in, where the menu is dictated by what is in season, and a unique whiskey tasting experience in their Whiskey Cellar, Lough Eske takes a fresh approach to creating memorable dining experiences. Situated on the picturesque shores of Lough Eske, near the untamed Blue Stack Mountains, this premier hotel offers an elevated living experience amidst rolling fields and stunning peaks. Guests will find here the pinnacle of luxury, where historical splendour and modern luxury intertwine to create an extraordinary retreat.

Rates for a stay in Lough Eske Castle start at AED 1,962 per night.

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Adare Manor, County Limerick

Awarded a five-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide 2023 and voted the #1 resort in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2022, Adare Manor is at the forefront of luxurious living and a symbol of Irish hospitality. Adare Manor is a warm embrace – a home away from home – where every little detail is perfectly suited to its guests, reflected by its world-class staff, renowned for their personalised and intimate service. Spanning across 840 acres of captivating parkland, Adare manor offers a sanctuary of exploration, inviting guests to lose themselves amidst its breathtaking surroundings, delight in the culinary wonders of the Michelin-starred Oak Room, where Head Chef Michael Tweedie prepares a seasonal menu that brings out the essence of Ireland with artisan ingredients paired with an extensive wine collection, and play through a magnificent golf course. Adare Manor bestows upon its visitors a profound sense of belonging and cherished memories that endure.

Rates for a stay at Adare Manor start at AED 6,336 per night.

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Castlemartyr, County Cork

A stone’s throw from Cork city, Castlemartyr is a luxury five-star hotel styled after an 18th century manor built adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle. Home to calming streams of water and a lake teaming with wildlife and verdant gardens, Castlemartyr provides visitors with the calming serenity of nature to immerse in during the day while the city beckons in the evening. Abundant in activities to partake in, the hotel offers the very best sporting facilities in kayaking, archery, and clay pigeon shooting, and family-friendly activities for children with an indoor pool and the outdoor excursions in the nearby Fota Wild Life Park and Leahy’s Open Farm. Not least of all, Castlemartyr is home to the Michelin-starred Terre, headed up by the decorated Chef Patron Vincent Crepel, which offers an intimate dining experience with an unhurried tasting menu combining contemporary French cuisine and Asian flavours, followed by a dynamic interaction with Chef Crepel and his team in Terre’s open kitchen.

Rates for a stay at Castlemartyr start at AED 1,336 per night.

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Ballyfin Castle, County Laois

A testament to the world-famous Irish hospitality, Ballyfin Castle offers luxury living with a difference. The 614-acre estate houses only 20 bedrooms and a private Gardeners Cottage, making for a private, exclusive retreat amidst nature. Ballyfin’s rolling plains gently transition to the rolling hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Unspoilt and located in one of the least explored areas in Ireland, the Slieve Bloom Mountains offer a unique adventure for lovers of nature, with Ballyfin’s butlers happily providing guests with suitable trails to walk during their stay. Romantic and tranquil, Ballyfin Castle is the perfect place to book for an exclusive special gathering of loved ones. While guests explore the surrounding landscape, they can take with them a traditional gourmet picnic basket prepared by the team of chefs at Ballyfin Castle, with all the produce harvested in the estate’s eight acre walled gardens or from the nearby woodlands. Alternatively, Ballyfin Castle offers an al fresco meal on the main house’s terrace or the picnic house offering panoramic views.

Rates for a stay at Ballyfin Castle start at AED 6,242 per night.

For more information, visit: http://www.ireland.com/
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