21st September 2026
Here's What It's Like Shadowing a Blacksmith at Ashford Castle in Ireland
Writer Sarah Wood González visited the Guinness family’s former Irish estate – now one of Ireland's most iconic castle hotels – to try her hand at blacksmithing.
SARAH WOOD GONZÁLEZ
TimeOut
The castle’s layout is so intricate that the team will personally walk you to your room when you check in (you'll still want to memorise the way back for later). Inside, the bedrooms go heavy on bold colours and most have views of Lough Corrib straight from your pillow. Catch it in autumn when the lake mist rises and the leaves turn golden.
2nd September 2026
2nd September 2026
This 800-Year-Old Irish Castle Is Officially the Most Beautiful Hotel in the World Right Now
Ever wondered what it feels like to live like an aristocrat? Our global edit of the world’s most beautiful hotels has a clear winner, and it comes complete with Irish wolfhounds greeting you at the gatehouse.
20th March 2026
I Stayed Over At Ashford Castle, The Former Guinness Family Seat In County Mayo
Back in my room, tired after a day of wolfhound walking, epic food and falconry – it was a privilege to have a hawk on my arm and see her plumage up close – I was ready for that four-poster bed. The fire had been lit, the lighting dimmed, quiet music playing. Thoughtful and meaningful – and so very Ashford Castle.
Country & Town House
Like everything about Ashford, the portions are Irish-style, and that generosity continues in the room with a welcome chocolate wolfhound made by superstar chocolatier Paula Stakelum. Her desserts are also on the afternoon tea menu and are simply sublime.
20th March 2026
The Gloss
If you can stretch to an overnight stay at Ashford to fully enjoy the relaxation benefits of the facial, then definitely do. It’s such an experience. Everything is immaculate, from the dozens of red roses in the main hall to the pristine marble bathrooms.
23rd March 2026
23rd March 2026
Is This Ireland's Most Exclusive Facial?
Augustinus Bader facials are only available in one place in the entire country: the destination spa at Ashford Castle, Co Mayo.
18th March 2026
Jetsetter Style: Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is one of those rare properties where history, setting, and service come together with remarkable ease.
Social Life Magazine
Set on a 350-acre estate along the shores of Lough Corrib, this 13th-century castle delivers an arrival that feels both cinematic and deeply personal – an experience further elevated by its place within the Red Carnation Hotels portfolio, known for its meticulous attention to detail and guest experience.
18th March 2026
Goop
Drinks-wise, there are a few musts: Book a wine tasting. You’ll head downstairs along a dimly lit 16th-century passageway – discovered during the castle’s renovation in 2015 – and gather around a candlelit wooden table in the wine cellars to learn about wine and some castle history (if you’re lucky, you might get a ghost story or two).
18th February 2026
18th February 2026
Inside the Historic Irish Castle Where Every Day Is a Country Weekend
The castle, perched on the shore of Lough Corrib where it meets the River Cong, is a towering, turreted Gothic pile – imposing and romantic in a moody, Victorian way.
