'When Ashford Castle was purchased by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in 2013, it marked another extraordinary time in the history of the estate. We were privileged to be given the opportunity to restore the castle to its former glory and ensure it could be enjoyed by future generations.

Having been General Manager for almost 20 years, I was particularly proud of the devotion shown by our team during the restoration, especially by those team members who have served the hotel for close to 50 years. Their loyalty and dedication to Irish hospitality is exemplary and the reason we have so many lifelong guests.

Ashford Castle has been the recipient of many notable awards. The accolade of being awarded Ireland’s only Forbes Five-Star hotel and the first Irish winner of Virtuoso ‘Best Hotel in the World’ in 2017 are two I am extremely proud of, for both the Tollman family and our team.

More recently, we have been recognised for our sustainability endeavours, demonstrating our commitment to providing an environmentally conscious five-star experience. We have deep roots in our community and promote the rich traditions of the craftspeople, food producers, musicians, and artists which make our corner of the west of Ireland so unique and authentic.

It is my honour to be a custodian of such a respected building and lead a team committed to genuine Irish hospitality. It is my privilege to share Ashford Castle with you, our distinguished guests.'

- Niall Rochford, General Manager