Ashford Castle

Cong, Ireland. Located on the County Galway shore of Lough Corrib near Cong, on the Mayo–Galway border.

Ashford CastleCong, Ireland

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Practical information

83 rooms and suites, plus the historic lakeside Boathouse.
The George V Dining Room, The Dungeon, Cullen’s at the Cottage and the Prince of Wales Bar, along with a cinema dining experience.
Spa, pool and gym, and a wide range of country pursuits across the estate.
Located on the County Galway shore of Lough Corrib near Cong, on the Mayo–Galway border.

12 dates, written by Grand Hotels of the World from the sources below.

1228
The Anglo-Norman de Burgo (Burke) family builds a castle on the edge of a monastic site.
1589
After fierce fighting, the castle falls to Sir Richard Bingham, Lord President of Connaught, who adds a fortified enclave.
1715
The Browne family establishes the Ashford estate and builds a hunting lodge in the style of a French château.
1852
Sir Benjamin Guinness buys the estate, adds two Victorian extensions and enlarges it to 26,000 acres.
1868
His son Arthur Guinness, later Lord Ardilaun, enlarges the castle in neo-Gothic style, with a new west wing by J. F. Fuller and George Ashlin.
1939
Noel Huggard buys the castle and opens it as a hotel renowned for angling and shooting.
1951
John Ford films The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in the castle grounds and nearby Cong.
1970
John Mulcahy buys the castle, restores it, doubles its size with a new wing and adds a golf course.
1985
A group of Irish-American investors including Chuck Feeney and Tony O’Reilly takes over Ashford.
May 2013
Red Carnation Hotels buys the castle for €20 million.
2015
After a refurbishment of some €47 million it reopens in April; in August Virtuoso names it the world’s best hotel.
22 April 2017
Golfer Rory McIlroy marries Erica Stoll at the castle.