Castle Hotels-hidden treasures!Castle hotels are special in Ireland being the 'real thing' or Victorian castellated versions of the 'real thing', which is possibly why they appeal to the Americans so much (not having the 'real thing' of their own). We have a long long history of castles in Ireland with some 350 still standing not counting the ruined ones. Many of which have been converted into luxury hotels like Dromoland Castle in County Clare and Ashford Castle in County Mayo which are both very fine 5 star hotels that you can stay in which are ofering excellent packages at the moment so you can live like a king without paying the equivalent ransom....
A real gem though, is Solis Castle, on Lough Eske in County Donegal, which four years ago didnt even have a roof! It has since been sensitively transformed, the newbuild following the footprints of the old coach houses & greenhouses, into an award winning 5 star hotel. But what impressed me most, as always were the staff, perhaps it was the soft Donegal accent or some secret school of charm they attend? but it worked for me, they simply couldnt have been nicer.
The 10 Best Castle Hotels in Ireland are..... 1 Solis Castle Lough Eske, the newest 5 star castle hotel in Ireland and deservedly Best in the World 2009. 2 Ashford Castle Cong, County Mayo this is a fabulous and very popular castle (so book early)on the shores of Lough Corrib. 3 Dromoland Castle County Clare another beauty, they have just spent €5 million upgrading their golf course. 4 Adare Manor County Limerick set in the chocolate box village of Adare with thatched cottages and rose gardens you couldnt go wrong. 5 Ballinalacken Castle County Clare way out on the coast, magnificent setting for dinner but equally their breakfasts? best sausages in Ireland. 6 Ballinahinch Castle County Mayo used to belong to a Maherajh, his fishing trophies line the colonial style bar where you can eat fresh salmon straight from the river in front of a turf fire. 7 Castle Durrow County Laois, great place to place to tour the midlands from, beautiful interiors and grounds. 8 Clontarf Castle Dublin, won an award for best hotel Interior Design in Wurope 2009, check out the concierges welcome video, talk about in the know? 9 Barberstown Castle County Kildare relaxed elegance, fine dining very popular for first dates & weddings so something is working. 10 Castle Leslie County Monaghan where Paul McCartney & Heather Mills famously got married, it might have been made in heaven but ended in ... well we wont go there. Suffice it to say this castle has a very interesting and colourful history.
For more information on Castle Hotels please click here. For more information on Irish History and Castles please click here 
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