RENT A CASTLE IN IRELAND

There are some fabulous castles to rent in Ireland and we can really help you find somewhere special.  Situated in a commanding position overlooking the Blackwater Valley, and offering a true castle experience, Lismore Castle has views over rolling hills to the Knockmealdown Mountains beyond. Whilst being totally private, the castle is on the outskirts of the pretty town of Lismore. In 1753, the castle passed to the 4th Duke of Devonshire on his marriage to an Irish heiress and the castle is still owned by the same family. This magnificent Irish castle has a wonderful art collection and guests are looked after by the Duke’s team of butlers and wonderful staff. If you are looking to stay in a castle in Ireland for your vacation, this has to be the grandest.

Another of LTR’s favorite castles to rent in Ireland is Ballinlough Castle, which is a glorious home in a central location just one hour from Dublin. It has been owned by the Nugent family for almost 400 years. The castle has a very friendly feel and the interiors are a lovely mix of traditional and more contemporary. Lough Cutra in County Galway is another wonderful castle to experience, designed by John Nash who also built Buckingham Palace. It sits beside the largest privately owned lake in Europe. These are just a few examples of some of the fabulous castles for rent to make your trips to Ireland extra special.

Ireland is also very well known for its castle hotels, like Ashford Castle Hotel, overlooking the islands of Louch Corrib. This former Guinness home has 83 bedrooms, a parkland golf course and is within easy reach of many other famous courses. Since 1962 and just 15 minutes from Shannon airport, Dromoland is another, traditional Irish and very popular castle hotel with lots of reminders of the castle’s historic past and a mass of fun activities available on the estate.

Adare Manor is a very well respected castle hotel in the gorgeous village of the same name and the aristocratic former home of Lord Dunraven. Robert Trent Jones built a famous golf course there and the hotel overlooks the River Maigue.

Although not technically a castle, easily the grandest stately pile which is now a hotel, is Ballyfin, which has been stunningly restored and offers an amazing level of luxury, a central location and only 90 minutes from Dublin. The attention to detail in every room is breathtaking and the service is also renowned.  Nowhere is currently more luxurious than Ballyfin, a great stop on your way to the west coast.

Many of Ireland’s grandest homes were either destroyed by the IRA or fell into disrepair as the land reform acts removed the major source of their wealth. However, a number of wonderful Irish castles and manor houses remain. If you would like to rent a castle in Ireland, there are two fine examples in Northern Ireland, Crom Castle the home of the Earl of Erne which sits on Loch Erne and not far away at Newtonstewart is Baronscourt, the home of the Dukes of Abercorn since 1612. Nestled below the Sperrin mountains and sitting in the very peaceful countryside this is a wonderful traditional estate.

Another fascinating castle experience can be found at Hillsborough Castle, which is the Queen’s official residence in Ireland and the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The castle is a very good looking Georgian building and has wonderful gardens, which can be visited on certain dates. These are just a few examples of the wonderful Irish castles which LTR enjoys and we would be happy to arrange for our guests to visit a selection of these estates during their stay. 

These stately homes and castles for rent in Ireland have all been lovingly restored and renovated, offer luxurious accommodation to their lucky guests. We love planning trips to Ireland and would be delighted to help you rent a castle in Ireland for your vacation or castle wedding, so please call or email us for more information.

Why not have a read of our blog? We have some fantastic articles about Ireland that are sure to help provide inspiration for your Ireland castle vacation including the beautiful, historic monasteries of Ireland and Irish landmarks that are well worth a visit. We have a fantastic guide to visiting castles that we’re sure you’ll love! In this post, we take a look at three of our favorite castles in Ireland.

From the long sandy beaches of Donegal and the Giants Causeway in Antrim to the Silver Strands in Mayo and the Ring of Kerry, Ireland encompasses a fantastically wide variety of countryside, cultures, and sites of historical and religious importance.  Its eastern capital, Dublin, is the birthplace of writers including Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, and is the home of Guinness beer.  Nicknamed the ‘Emerald Isle’ for its lush landscape of rolling green hills, it is dotted with castles and ancient sites.

Whatever you choose to do, whenever you choose to go and wherever you choose to go in Ireland, you will be tripping over the historical and cultural past.  From prehistoric Irish remains such as Brú na Bóinne, to evidence of the country’s monastic past such as Glendalough and Clonmacnoise overlooking the River Shannon.  The Titanic Museum in Cobh, with it’s brightly colored houses, is also worth a visit along with the marvelous cathedral.  LTR has some beautiful Irish country houses to rent for at its finger tips and they each have their own special characteristics.  There are several stately homes and castles in Ireland that are open to the public and have magnificent gardens to explore and enjoy during your Ireland luxury vacation.

Gastronomically, Ireland now boasts more Michelin starred restaurants than ever and embraces a delicious range of culinary delights mainly based around local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients of which sea food of course plays an integral part.

In 2019, The 148th Open returned to Royal Portrush for only the second time in the Championship’s history.  Northern Ireland hosted this, the oldest international championship, from 18-21 July 2019 and had sports fans from all over Ireland and around the world arrive in the picturesque town of Portrush.  Last played at Royal Portrush in 1951, The Open is the largest sporting event that Northern Ireland has ever held.  For those golf lovers among you, the South of Ireland has numerous Championship courses as well as a myriad of smaller links and parkland courses open to all and offering challenging golf amidst some of the country’s finest scenery.  As well as golf, if you are looking for a little adventure, our team of destination experts can put together an exciting itinerary for you to keep the adrenaline going.

The people of Ireland are known for their warmth and friendliness.  Their wonderful sense of humor and conversation is enough to put a smile on any visitor’s face and you will be assured a warm welcome in this small but beautiful country.  The music cannot go without a mention.  The wonderful, lyrical, almost haunting music that is so much a part of the landscape and the history of the country can often be heard, played ‘live’ in many of the local Irish pubs.

Staying in a private luxury Irish castle is a treat reserved for the discerning traveler wishing to get away from it all and take life at a slower pace.  Fully staffed and catered, these castles and stately homes offer their guests true comfort and privacy from which to experience a luxury Ireland vacation and explore the wonders that the country has to offer.  LTR’s relationships with the families that own such special places mean we can organize the most wonderful luxury travel in Ireland.  Have a look at the best castles near Cork here.

Why is Ireland such a popular country to visit?

The magic of ‘The Emerald Isle’ can only be felt when you actually go there.  Ireland is an ancient land with a rich historical and cultural past.  There are sweeping landscapes of lush green with fields of sheep and wonderful coastlines along with lyrical music and fairy tale folk stories.  The warmth of the welcome that visitors receive from the Irish people is second to none and leaves a long lasting effect.  There are bustling pubs with enthusiastic locals recounting myths and legends of long ago to enchant any visitors.   Where better to relax and unwind and travel into the past to discover a fascinating history and way of life.

Why do people visit Ireland?

There are so many reasons to visit Ireland.  With everything from the culture and historic castles to the Guinness and pubs; from the adventures in the beautiful Irish countryside to the history that is discovered at every turn; from the Festivals such as St Patrick’s Day to visiting the metropolis of the Irish capital of Dublin which is bursting with culture, great restaurants, youthful buzz and not forgetting the Irish Folklore in a land that is famous for its fairies, merrows and leprechauns and of course the mysterious Giant’s Causeway.   The list could go on!

Are the Irish castles comfortable to stay in?

There are some magnificent Irish castles that can be rented for exclusive use and they are exceptionally comfortable.  Each one with its own charm and character, having undergone renovations and redecoration to bring them up to a luxurious standard for this day and age but retaining the historical features and personality of their time.  If you take over your own castle, it can be a wonderful place to entertain your guests and to enjoy the privacy and comfort of ‘your own home’ whilst exploring all that Ireland has to offer.