A medieval Irish castle and a Dublin gem give couples a taste of town and country
BY LORI RACKL Staff Reporter/lrackl@suntimes.com February 1, 2012 7:08PM
Ashford Castle in Ireland's County Mayo dates back to the 13th century. | Lori Rackl~Sun-Times
Article Extras
Updated: May 9, 2012 10:13AM
Ireland might not pop to mind as the most romantic of destinations, but the Emerald Isle’s charms can be quite seductive.
Dublin has a youthful, energetic vibe, while the rolling countryside beckons with its peaceful, quiet beauty.
Couples can sample a little bit of both with the six-night “Town & Country Experience.” The package includes three nights each at a pair of historic Irish properties: The Merrion in Dublin and Ashford Castle in County Mayo.
Originally built in the 13th century as a monastery, Ashford Castle eventually fell into the hands of the Guinness family who turned it into their country estate. It became a hotel in 1939. Set on 350 acres of gardens and forest, the imposing gray castle looks like something out of a fairytale.
The John Wayne/Maureen O’Hara classic “The Quiet Man” was filmed here in 1951. (The movie is readily available on TVs in all guestrooms.) More recently, this is where actor Pierce Brosnan tied the knot.
Most of Ashford’s 83 rooms and suites come with four-poster beds and original fireplaces. Massive Waterford crystal chandeliers hang from the main dining room’s high ceiling.
A piano player or harpist might be the evening’s entertainment in the castle’s Dungeon Bar, where the motto is “we never close until the last person stops drinking.” And in Ireland, that can be pretty late.
The castle is in the middle of stellar golfing country, but here’s a reason to stay put: Hotel guests get to use Ashford’s nine-hole course for free.
A stay at Ashford is your chance to engage in all those Prince Charles-ish pursuits. Ride horses at the nearby equestrian center. Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting or archery. Fish the river for salmon and brown trout.
The castle also is home to Ireland’s School of Falconry, stocked with gorgeous birds of prey. An hour-long Hawk Walk comes with the Town & Country package. You and a massive Harris hawk take a guided stroll around the medieval castle’s grounds. The bird disappears into the forest to go hunting, but when you raise your gloved fist, your feathered friend comes swooping down from the trees and lands with missile-like precession on your arm.
Note to guys looking for a memorable way to propose: Have your guide tie the engagement ring to the hawk’s leg so the bird can deliver the bling to your beloved. It’s been done here before.
Priced at $2,315 a person (1,750 euro), the package includes a limousine ride between the two properties, which are located on opposite ends of this small country. (Call Ashford Castle at 800-346-7007 or email the Merrion at info@merrionhotel.com for booking details.)
While Ashford Castle feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, the Merrion hotel is smack in the center of Georgian Dublin. The five-star property consists of four 18th century Georgian townhouses that were meticulously restored and transformed into a luxury hotel in 1997.
Made up of 142 rooms and suites, the Merrion boasts Ireland’s only eatery with two Michelin stars, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud. Just as impressive is the hotel’s art collection, whose masterpieces are the inspiration for the whimsical sweet treats served in the drawing room every afternoon during Art Tea.
Something about the place must have struck the Obamas’ fancy. During a visit to the Irish capital last year, the President and First Lady opted to stay here instead of the usual presidential accommodations at Phoenix Park.
The Obamas — or as the Irish like to say, the O’Bamas — checked in and had lunch but didn’t get to spend the night. Their trip was cut short because Iceland’s infamous volcanic ash cloud was gearing up to wreak more havoc on air travel.
The Town & Country package also includes a full Irish breakfast daily, roundtrip airport transfers, a picnic lunch, welcome cocktails and an hour-long massage at both hotels.
On that last point, do your partner a favor and request the massage therapist named Irene.
“She’s been here 13 years and has a cult following,” the Merrion’s spa receptionist confided in a thick Irish brogue.
Information for this article was gathered on a research trip sponsored by the Merrion and Ashford Castle.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment