Ireland is rich in manor estates and ancient castles. Strolling around Norman towers and among age-old stone walls, it's easy to imagine yourself in a world of kings, chieftains and fierce battles.

There are plenty of options to enjoy a castle or manor experience throughout Ireland. Whether you are thinking of spending the night at a castle as part of a tour group, indulging in a medieval banquet, or maybe simply stopping by and taking a look into the past, Ireland is a great destination.

Manors

If you're interested in visiting manors, there are several options. You can take a self-driven or chauffeur-guided manor-hopping tour across the Irish countryside, staying at a different manor every night, or perhaps combine stays at manors with a couple of castle visits during the day. Alternatively, you may take traditional tours which offer a guided visit through the properties that are open to the public.

There are many fantastic manors to choose from all over the country. Complete with fishing lakes, a golf course, breathtaking vistas and an impressive facade adorned with Corinthian columns, Hilton Park offers six private rooms, and is conveniently located only 90 minutes from Dublin Airport. It is famous for its magnificent gardens and the fabulous cooking of its patrons.

Castlecoote House is a Georgian style mansion in County Roscommon, which also features the ruins of a castle on its premises. The beautiful rooms with four poster beds have views to the castle towers, the river, and a beautiful apple orchard.

Voted Ireland's leading hotel at the World Travel Awards 2010, The Adare Manor in Limerick offers rooms located inside the impressive manor house as well as the possibility to rent sumptuous townhouses and villas, which are adjacent to the property. Adare Manor was built by the Earl of Dunraven and his wife Lady Caroline. The rich ornamentation, towers and turrets give Adare Manor a fairy-tale look. Water bodies and bridges and a famous golf course complete the scene of this fantastic 5-star hotel and manor, which is located a 40-minute drive from Shannon Airport.

Castle Hotels

Gregan's Castle Hotel is located in the beautiful Burren region of Clare. The four-star hotel has received many national and international awards for its cuisine and excellence in hospitality services.

The 13th century Barberstown Castle boasts a guest-list that includes the likes of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Mick Jagger. The grandiose architecture of the original castle is crowned by a modern wing that features over 58 exclusive suites; no two of which are alike. The castle is an ideal setting for luxurious weddings, and it also offers facilities for conferences and professional gatherings. Barberstown and its twenty acres of marvellous gardens are located in the vicinity of Dublin, as well as close to scenic areas such as the Wicklow Mountains.

Dating back to 1228 and once the estate of the Guinness family, the luxurious five-star Ashford Castle in Mayo, first opened as a hotel in 1939 and its restaurants and opulent surroundings are world-renowned.

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is located overlooking Dublin Bay and decorated in typical castle style.

Castle Visits

One of the most popular castles to visit in Ireland is Blarney Castle in Cork. This impressive 15th century castle comes complete with fairy-tale towers and romantic gardens. It is as famous for the ritual of ‘Kissing the Blarney Stone’as for the magnificent banquets offered there year-round. They say if you are looking for ‘The Gift of the Gab’ you must first kiss the Blarney Stone. The castle's surrounding area is breathtaking in its natural beauty and its guided tours will prove extremely interesting; taking in Lord Blarney, Queen Elizabeth I, and the history of the Anglo-Irish conflicts. Blarney has, in fact, been the scene of much of that fascinating history.

Bunratty Castle has been called the most 'complete medieval fortress' in Ireland. Its rising towers, water features and imposing stone bridges are everything you imagine in a majestic medieval setting. This15th Century built castle hosts a large collection of medieval artefacts, and the Bunratty Folk Park offers a recreation of 19th century life, complete with typical dwellings and costumed actors! If you wish to immerse yourself deeply in Irish history, a visit to Bunratty Castle is a great choice. Bunratty Castle and the nearby Knappogue Castle also host medieval banquets. Guests can enjoy a night of musical entertainment and a sumptuous meal in medieval castle surroundings, a great way to sample the castle lifestyle!

King John's Castle is located in the heart of Limerick with fantastic views over the river Shannon and the city. It is opened to the public throughout the year, and provides a glimpse into the turbulent history of the city, from Viking settlements to violent sieges. The famous Treaty of Limerick stone, whose history is entwined with the castle, is clearly visible from the castle battlements.

With both manors and castles in abundance in Ireland, you can combine a taste of luxury with the lure of being transported into a different historical period. Indulging in a visit to one of our historical castles or manors brings as much pleasure and relaxation as cultural enrichment. It may make you feel, at least for a moment, like a King or Queen of ancient times.

Veronica Pamoukaghlian, My Destination Ireland
August 2011