When was Ashford Castle built?

Ashford Castle was built mainly in the 13th century. Full construction span: 13th-century origins; rebuilt as a Victorian estate.

Where is Ashford Castle?

Ashford Castle is in Cong, Ireland (around 53.53°, -9.28°).

What kind of castle is Ashford Castle?

Ashford Castle is a castle in the Medieval / Victorian (neo-Gothic) style. Fairytale lakeside castle, once a Guinness estate and now a luxury hotel.

Ashford Castle (Ireland) — 13th century castle · Magna Virium Historical Atlas

Ashford Castle began in 1228 and grew over the centuries into a vast fairytale estate beside Lough Corrib. Bought and enlarged by the Guinness family, it is now one of the world's most celebrated castle hotels, near where the film The Quiet Man was made.

Construction: 13th-century origins; rebuilt as a Victorian estate

Ashford Castle

A fairytale on the lake

On the shore of Lough Corrib, where County Mayo meets County Galway, stands one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland: Ashford Castle. With its turrets, towers and battlements rising among woods and gardens beside the water, it looks like a castle from a fairy tale. Today it is famous around the world as a luxurious castle hotel, but its story stretches back nearly 800 years.

From fortress to grand estate

Ashford began in 1228 as a fortress built by the powerful Norman de Burgo family, beside the lake at the edge of their lands. Over the centuries it changed hands and grew, with later owners adding to the old castle.

The greatest transformation came in the 1800s, when the estate was bought by the Guinness family, the famous Dublin brewers. They poured their wealth into Ashford, enlarging it into the vast, romantic castle we see today, with grand halls, towers and sweeping grounds, and planting thousands of trees across the estate. Under the Guinnesses, Ashford became one of the most splendid country estates in Ireland.

The Quiet Man and the movies

The countryside around Ashford and the nearby village of Cong is famous as the setting for the classic 1952 film The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The film was shot in and around Cong, and the beautiful landscapes drew visitors from around the world. Ashford Castle itself, with its romantic setting, has long attracted filmmakers, photographers and famous guests.

A castle hotel for the world

In the 20th century Ashford Castle became a hotel, and it has hosted royalty, presidents, film stars and travellers from across the globe. Guests can stay in its grand rooms, dine in its splendid halls, and enjoy the estate's woodlands, gardens and lake, as well as old country pursuits like falconry — Ashford is home to one of the oldest falconry schools in Ireland.

Though it is a hotel, the castle and its grounds remain a treasured piece of Irish heritage, and its beauty can be admired by visitors to the area.

A landscape of legend

The lands around Ashford are rich in history and legend, from ancient monastic ruins at Cong to the wild beauty of Connemara nearby. Lough Corrib itself is dotted with islands and steeped in old stories. The castle sits at the heart of this magical landscape, where history, nature and romance come together.

Visiting today

While Ashford is a working luxury hotel, visitors can admire its fairytale exterior and the beautiful estate, explore the nearby village of Cong with its Quiet Man connections and ancient abbey, and enjoy the woods and shores of Lough Corrib. Romantic, grand and set in one of Ireland's loveliest landscapes, Ashford Castle is the very picture of an Irish fairytale castle.

Frequently asked questions

When was Ashford Castle built?: Ashford Castle was built mainly in the 13th century. Full construction span: 13th-century origins; rebuilt as a Victorian estate.
Where is Ashford Castle?: Ashford Castle is in Cong, Ireland (around 53.53°, -9.28°).
What kind of castle is Ashford Castle?: Ashford Castle is a castle in the Medieval / Victorian (neo-Gothic) style. Fairytale lakeside castle, once a Guinness estate and now a luxury hotel.