So far you may have visited a number of fortresses across the globe but, did you ever have had the chance to reside in one such medieval fortress which can take you back in time alongside providing all the modern amenities and leisure options which you expect in a vacation. This dream can be fulfilled in the Ashford Castle of Cong in Ireland which is a fortress of 1228 converted in to a modern luxury hotel.
Being listed in the Leading Hotels of the World organization, the Ashford Castle takes you back in time with splendid views of the countryside of the Mayo/Galway border and the shores of Lough Corrib in the Republic of Ireland. Over decades, it has passed through the hands of many families which have kept extending the fortress to its current magnitude and splendour.
The journey of the Ashford Castle started with the House of Burke in 1228 as it got built and then moved over years to finally come into the hands of the Irish government in the year 1939 from the Guinness family. By this time not only the structure but also the entire estate had received a number of up gradations and expansions. It was soon identified as a place which could provide country retreats to interested tourists and could also be developed with the parallel modern amenities of the day.
The Ashford Castle hotel thus provides both rooms and suites which are a mix of tradition and modernity. The range of activities provided by the hotel include fly fishing, horse riding, golf, and lastly hawk flying which is supervised and guided by Ireland’s first falconry school. The restaurants of the hotel, namely the posh George V and the traditional cuisine in “Cullen’s at the Cottage”, both provide excellent options for couples to enjoy their lone times. By 2012 the Ashford Castle had 83 bedrooms in which 6 were suites. However, post May 2013 the hotel has gone in to the hands of the Red Carnation Hotels which is expected to bring more changes to the hotel. In the current times, most visitors of the Ashford Castle come from the Californian part of the United States.
During the best days of the Ashford Castle, the hotel had seen notable visitors like King George V of United Kingdom, John Lenon, George Harrison, Oscar Wilde, Brad Pitt, and Pierce Brosnan to name some.
With the changing times the owners of the Ashford Castle have also ensured that along with the traditional comforts the modern amenities are also provided to the visitors in the hotel. Thus, facilities like spa, fitness centre, broadband; TV, Movies, and so on are also in easy disposition of the visitors.
The availability of Ashford Castle is not just restricted to the holiday goers but, it also provides venue for hosing events which are both personal and professional, like weddings or meetings. With their various offer packages, it becomes even easier to opt for the Ashford Castle and make the stay memorable and affordable.