Premier Hotels & Resorts - Winter/Spring 2009 - (Page 88) County Mayo IRELAND Ashford Castle The 13th-century Ashford Castle is set on the northern shores of Lough Corrib, 45 minutes from Galway City. Once the country estate of Lord Ardilaun and the Guinness family, it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1939. Its 83 guest rooms are of the highest standards, many with high ceilings, enormous bathrooms and delightful lake and river views. The George V offers breakfast and a table d’hôte dinner menu and is Ashford’s main dining room. A world-class menu of modern Irish and international cuisine is available. The Connaught room is the most beautiful and intimate room in the castle. A tasting menu is available with five or seven courses and changes regularly according to season and availability. Our award-winning sommelier will accompany each tasting menu with a wine suggestion. Advanced Reservations are recommended. The restaurant is open Thursday to Sunday mid-May through September. The Drawing room serves lunch, afternoon tea and a more casual evening dinner option. The all-day menu is served from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily. A short stroll across the River Cong, Cullen’s at the Cottage is the final piece of the jigsaw that comprises the Ashford dining experience. It offers a bistro-style menu with a relaxed atmosphere. Cullen’s, open daily 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., allows you an informal option outside the castle, while still on the Ashford Estate. Ashford Castle offers a full range of activities, including falconry, fishing on Lough Corrib, clay-pigeon shooting, horseback riding and an exclusive, nine-hole golf course. The hotel has a modern health center comprising a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and fully equipped gymnasium and conservatory. Three treatment rooms offer a full array of treatments for both men and women, completing the indoor facilities. Extensive private grounds have designated jogging and walking trails. And for the garden enthusiast, the formal gardens have been restored to their original splendor. Boat trips can be arranged to the Islands on Lough Corrib, and bicycles are available for renting. Two hard-surface tennis courts are available. Ratings/Reviews: Voted Number Two Resort in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveler, 2007. Accommodations: 83 guest rooms, including five suites and six staterooms. Rates: Contact hotel. Location/Airport: 45 minutes from Galway City; 2.5 hours from Shannon Airport. Meetings/Event Facilities: Ardilaun Suite, which can cater up to 110 people theater style. Address: Cong, County Mayo, Ireland Phone: (353) 94 95 46003 Fax: (353) 94 95 46260 Toll Free: (800) 346-7007 Website: www.ashford.ie E-mail: ashford@ashford.ie General Manager: Niall Rochford Affiliations: The Leading Small Hotels of the World ASHFORD CASTLE occupies a majestic spread on the northern shores of Lough Corrib amidst acres of verdant forests and gardens (top). Ashford’s wide range of activities includes falconry (above). Feast on rustic, gourmet cuisine at the castle’s dining venues (right). 88 PREMIER HOTELS & RESORTS | Winter/Spring 2009 http://www.ashford.ie
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.