Looking for a castle hotel in Ireland to pop the question...

brbf

I'm looking to pop the question to my girlfriend just before Christmas - trying to find somewhere appropriate. She's not from Ireland and so she really loves castles and has always wanted to stay in a nice old Irish castle, so I'm trying to find somewhere appropriate. I'm really into photography and I'd love somewhere impressive looking for post proposal photos. I'd like to find somewhere special but can't spend crazy money.. Just wondering can anyone suggest hotels that might fit the bill?

Thanks

HeidiHeidi

Ashford Castle in Mayo.

http://www.ashfordcastle.com/

Or Ballynahinch in Connemara, although that's less obviously castle-y, more like a country hunting lodge. But it's the MOST gorgeous place I've ever stayed, hands down.

http://www.ballynahinch-castle.com/

Both are expensive, but you won't find any castle cheap!

fits

Ballynahinch is definitely amazing but expensive id say. And possibly closed over winter.

What about dromoland castle?

naughtysmurf

This may suit, link might not work but it's a castle in Galway, €130 per night on airb&b

https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/658697?guests=2&s=Teex2j-5#

Lima Golf

Beleek Castle Ballina. Very quaint and authentic, reasonably priced and lovely grounds and woods for photos. Great restaurant too.

Lucena

Try Kinnitty Castle in Offaly. Not sure of prices, but I'd imagine cheaper than elsewhere.

m21

waterford castle

minikin

Cabra Castle, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
Book a castle room! Great place.

brbf

Thanks guys, all excellent recommendations, keep them coming!!

I know Ashford castle got Best Hotel in the World there a while back, that might make things a little more special - I know its not cheap but might be worth it. That Airbnb one looks fantastic too!

Any others I should consider?

conor_ie

Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan

Jawgap

Trim Castle.

Ring the guides, explain what you want to do - go there, take the tour and when you're right at the top looking over the countryside - pop the question!

Plenty of decent hotels / B&Bs in the area to stay - and loads of castles to visit!

Good luck.

Blingy

Castle Leslie.
Check their Facebook page as they have some deals in the next month or so.

Dromoland castle.

Kinnity castle.

Check pigsback for deals

Spread the love

The 5* Lough Eske Castle- Solís Hotel and Spa in Donegal is beautiful and there's an actual castle in Donegal Town, a 5 minute drive away which might be a nice place to get down on bended knee. Good luck

http://m.solishotels.com/lougheskecastle//


http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/north-west/donegalcastle/

Pink Fairy

http://m.ballyseedecastle.com/
Possibly the greatest castle/hotel in Kerry.
Absolutely beautiful inside and its reputedly haunted as well

WittyName1

brbf wrote: »

Thanks guys, all excellent recommendations, keep them coming!!

I know Ashford castle got Best Hotel in the World there a while back, that might make things a little more special - I know its not cheap but might be worth it. That Airbnb one looks fantastic too!

Any others I should consider?

How about staying in a cheaper hotel but going to Ashford for afternoon tea or lunch?

fineso.mom

Ross castle in killarney. It's on a lake , beautiful setting. You could stay in a hotel nearby and walk through the national park to the castle.

beertons

Ballyseedy Castle in Tralee, Co.Kerry. It's haunted too, apparently.

testicle

Adare Manor.

ButtersSuki

Markree Castle in Sligo is one I'd recommend. It's more old school/authentic than a lot of the others listed here. A favourite of Johnny Cash too, you can even stay in the room he and June Carter stayed in. Also has great gardens (with the castle in the background) for pics.

Lough Eske is lovely, but I'd describe it more as a nice hotel than a castle. It's VERY modern. That's a problem with a lot named previously, they're too "modern" (esp. the interior); great if that's what you're looking for but not if you want something more "olde school"

I'd send a link but on the phone. Google is your friend!

Link: http://www.markreecastle.ie/
Oh...it says closed for refurb until Spring 2017.....:( Sorry!

Gatica

If you don't want something very expensive, they I'd say the likes of Leslie/Ashford and Dromoland are out. Also they're not really traditional medieval castles, though very picture perfect.
I'd agree Kinitty is a lot more genuine, would also suggest looking at Markree Castle in Sligo.

Cosmo Kramer

One option might be to stay at the Lodge at Ashford castle and propose in the castle itself. I have stayed at the lodge and it is also lovely.

If you can book for midweek in winter almost all hotels will have discount offers on.

careful_now

Kilronan Castle in Roscommon is lovely, has a medieval feel to it inside aswell.

falan

Castle Oliver co limerick. 15 grand a week. Nice though

blindside88

Wayerford castle is lovely. I proposed there 4 years ago, lovely gardens for photos and lots of wildlife like deer. I would avoid Kinnity castle, stayed there last year and couldn't wait to leave. The outside is lovely but the rooms leave a lot to be desired, not ideal for a proposal

New Home

You must've been unlucky, I got a fantastic room in Kinnitty, straight out of a history book but with all the luxuries. And the food in the restaurant was out of this world. That was a good ten years ago, mind you. I booked using a voucher I got either through Pigsback.com or the Supervalu Breaks, I can't remember which, but it worked out pretty cheap too, for what I got.

blindside88

New Home wrote: »

You must've been unlucky, I got a fantastic room in Kinnitty, straight out of a history book but with all the luxuries. And the food in the restaurant was out of this world. That was a good ten years ago, mind you.

I don't know, 2 couples went together and we both had terrible rooms. We actually moved roa because the door didn't lock and the bed was completely sunken in the middle. The food was ok but the staff were excellent. I complained to the manager the following morning who did not seem to care. I ended up writing a bad review on trip advisor which I don't like doing but we were so disappointed with it

New Home

Awh, that's a pity... You must've been very unlucky...

gandalf

testicle wrote: »

Adare Manor.

I'd plug for Adare Manor as well. Great photo ops from the bridge behind the Hotel.

It is expensive though!

bloominballix

How much to hire out a bouncy castle?

New Home

bloominballix wrote: »

How much to hire out a bouncy castle?

I wouldn't, the price would most definitely be inflated...

smurfjed

I stayed in Dromoland Castle last year with my parents, it's a beautiful hotel but it wasn't cheap. You could get some great photos at the castle itself or the lake.

fletch

blindside88 wrote: »

I don't know, 2 couples went together and we both had terrible rooms. We actually moved roa because the door didn't lock and the bed was completely sunken in the middle. The food was ok but the staff were excellent. I complained to the manager the following morning who did not seem to care. I ended up writing a bad review on trip advisor which I don't like doing but we were so disappointed with it

I stayed there quite recently...granted I stayed in a suite, but the room was lovely and warm (nearly too so) and the bed very comfortable. The free standing bath, while it looked great, was a little awkward to shower in.

JohnCleary

Ashford. Not that expensive in winter

brbf

Thanks All, I booked Ashford after all, looks amazing. Mid week its not that expensive, I got an upgraded room with the lake view, with dinner, for €350.

fits

fancy schmancy! enjoy it!

Diamond Doll

Castle Durrow is gorgeous. Brilliant food too.

JohnCleary

brbf wrote: »

Thanks All, I booked Ashford after all, looks amazing. Mid week its not that expensive, I got an upgraded room with the lake view, with dinner, for €350.

You won't regret it. Go out on the ferry if it's running. There's a private luxury motor-yacht, but it operates summer months only. Pitty, as there's been a few proposals off the back of the boat in the past.

Enjoy and good luck.