Have you ever wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christmas surrounded by grandeur and opulence in a bedecked 800-year-old castle? Imagine no further…
The west of Ireland is a place where the rugged landscapes are a canvas for outdoor adventures, where the warm hospitality of its people welcomes you with open arms, and where every twist and turn reveals a new facet of Ireland’s charm. And it is here, in western Ireland – County Mayo to be exact – that Ashford Castle is found.
The property is stunning and, of course, everything your imagination runs wild in thinking exists. A grand hall and a billiards room, four-poster beds and a grand wine cellar, an exquisite dining room and opulent staterooms. An estate of castle, thatched cottages, and a brilliant tapestry of garden greens.
Year-round Ashford is, simply said, spectacular. But at Christmas, it truly shines. Aside from its festive decorations, the staff offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The festivities last for four days and begin immediately upon arrival.
Christmas Eve…
In the Oak Hall, the cheer is palpable. Here, upon a late morning Christmas Eve arrival, guests are greeted by staff and offered mulled wine and mince pies. Sipping and munching in a spot lovingly restored to Ashford’s Guinness period – yes, that Guinness, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness of the famed Irish brewery purchased the Castle in 1852 – they are also welcomed by the Castle’s Irish wolfhounds. Afterwards, the curious browse the library housed in Oak Hall which offers over 800 antiquarian books. It’s home to an extensive collection of reference works from the late Victorian period and the most valuable book, an early edition of “Lough Corrib: its shores and islands; with notices of Lough Mask” by Sir William Wilde – the father of Oscar Wilde – lives here. The book is an early and complete history of the local area and includes sketches of Ashford Castle by Willy Wilde, the brother of Oscar Wilde.
After the warm welcome, guests make their way to lavishly appointed staterooms. These rooms, located in the oldest part of the castle, are each individually designed and feature high ceilings and spectacular views of Lough Corrib. Most feature four poster beds, original fireplaces, exquisite antique furniture, and original artworks. But, for as amazing as they are, there are two suites that are both beautiful and historic.
Ashford has not just welcomed British royalty; it has also hosted American presidents and senators. The Reagan Presidential Suite is the namesake of President Ronald Reagan, who stayed at the Castle in 1984 as a friend of the Castle’s former owner John Mulcahy. This split-level suite is in the oldest wing of the Castle and near The Kennedy Suite. Ted Kennedy also stayed at Ashford in the early 1980s, and the suite in his honor features a 19th-century walnut bed and an early Victorian rosewood center table. The Kennedy Suite enjoys spectacular views over Lough Corrib. At times, both suites are combined to form a private three-bedroomed wing of the Castle.
Once guests have had time to settle into their chambers, Afternoon Tea service is held in the drawing room. This long-established tradition has been preserved at Ashford Castle since 1868. On Christmas Eve, guests relax and enjoy a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones, and pastries. They also have the choice of choosing from a variety of teas or indulging in a glass of champagne. Of note, the original silver tea set, presented to Lord and Lady Ardilaun – owners of the Castle following Sir Guness – is displayed in the Connaught Room.
After Tea, guests are found strolling the grounds or exploring the Castle, or perhaps snuggled near the fire in The Inglenook relaxing and reading a good book. The Inglenook is home to the most impressive fireplace in the Castle. It is also where an original 1,000-piece, custom-made silver-gilt dinner service is displayed. The service was formally owned by Washington Augustus Roebling, the man responsible for the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge. After a carefree afternoon, dinner calls in the George V Dining Room.
This dining room was literally fashioned to be fit for a King. It was built in 1905 solely for the arrival of the Prince of Wales, who was later to become George V. The graceful setting, with rich, paneled walls and twinkling Waterford Crystal chandeliers, bestows a grand sense of occasion. The Castle’s resident pianist plays softly in the background while guests relax and enjoy exceptional dishes from the kitchen of acclaimed Chef Philippe Farineau.
Following dinner, the Christmas excitement is finally realized. Santa Claus arrives with gifts for all guests and shortly after there are rounds of children’s carol singing. As their bedtime approaches, the young ones are replaced by Ashford’s resident entertainer who continues the merry making. Then, it’s off to bed to get a good rest before a fun-filled Christmas day packed with activities.
Christmas Day
After enjoying breakfast in the dining room, guests are then whisked away for a Christmas cruise celebration. As the craft makes its way on Lough Corrib, guests are entertained with traditional Irish music. Hot whiskeys are drunk to keep the chill away while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. The conviviality builds an appetite and upon returning to the Castle, a full buffet lunch ensues.
The afternoon of Christmas Day at the Castle is full of excitement. There are many options available to enjoy some bonhomie, for example, the Castle’s 32-seat cinema. Here guests catch holiday movies. Popcorn and candy are available from classic confectionary stands. Not a movie buff? You might enjoy spending time in the Billiards Room. This room boasts a regulation-size snooker table and leather sofas. Its walls are adorned with classic sporting paintings. Of course, there is always a roaring fire which adds to the coziness of the room. And the bar is stocked with 20 different whiskeys. Prefer wine over whiskey? You have come to the right place. On the afternoon of Christmas Day, the Castle offers a wine tasting from its phenomenal cellar.
The Wine Cellar was formerly an underground tunnel and was used as a coal bunker and servants’ entrance in the 19th century. Recently, it has been restored into three private tasting rooms, showcasing over 3,000 bottles of both old and new classics. Guests can discover a 1966 Pichon Longueville, one of the oldest bottles in the cellar, in addition to a full selection of Bouchard Finlayson wines from Ashford’s sister wine estate.
One of the highlights of the fairytale-esque Christmas festivities at Ashford is the time right before dinner. It is when the ‘family Christmas photograph’ is taken by the Castle’s resident photographer next to the Castle tree. This keepsake is a favorite of guests to remind them of their holiday celebration.
From 7 pm onward, guests partake in one of the finest Christmas experiences. It begins with the Castle’s Black Tie Christmas Gala dinner. In the past, nobles partook in such extravagant feasts. Today, one doesn’t need to be noble to be afforded the same luxury. Aside from the grandness of the event itself, the food is astonishing. The Castle prides itself on cooking with the finest locally sourced ingredients in Ireland. The meats and fish come from the surrounding counties and wherever possible ingredients are sourced from the estate. Through spring, summer, and fall the Castle’s team forage for wild berries to make homemade jams and chutneys. It is farm-to-table at its best. After the feast, it is time for music and dancing. The Castle employs a live band on Christmas which has revelers dancing in delight into the wee hours.
St. Stephen’s Day
On St. Stephen’s Day, also known as Boxing Day, the celebration continues. Breakfast is served, but if guests need a bit more sleep – after imbibing and dancing into the morning hours – they can decide to have brunch instead. It’s a good idea to fortify, however, because the afternoon is full of activities in which to indulge.
Guests can choose to again take the boat trip or participate in a village scavenger trail. Movies are again playing in the cinema and wine tastings are on. For guests who enjoyed the previous day’s tea service, Afternoon Tea is again served. And the Castle offers a great guided grounds walk with a local historian.
For guests who wish to be part of cinematic history as opposed to watching a film in the theater, they can visit an unassuming Hollywood stage. The Squire Danagher’s Cottage. This thatched cottage is the original house where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed in the 1950s and sits on the estate. It is an interesting piece of history, both cinematic and local.
And then there is falconry. The Castle is proud of its falconry school, which is the oldest established learning center in the whole of Ireland. Guests discover this ancient form which has captivated people for nearly 5,000 years. It’s an exciting and unique experience to be had on Boxing Day. Just imagine this magnificent bird swooping down and landing on your gloved fist!
St. Stephen’s Day dinner comes with a twist. Of course, dinner is held in the George V Dining Room. But, more provocatively – and interestingly – dinner is also served in the dungeon. Are you surprised? It is a castle after all. As its name would suggest, this unique setting is located on the building’s lower ground floor. It’s dramatic and atmospheric and makes for a wonderful and memorable dining experience. During dinners, wandering minstrels entertain. After dinner, the Castle presents seasonal musical entertainment for its guests.
Departure
The Christmas extravaganza ends on December 27th. After a leisurely breakfast, guests are bid a fond farewell until the next holiday season. Most book the Castle’s Christmas celebration for the following year before leaving.
On that note, it’s important to mention that Ashford Castle sells out their Christmas package nearly instantaneously. If you are interested in celebrating the holiday at Ashford, you must inquire immediately following Christmas to reserve a spot. If you are not fortunate enough to book, Ashford is an enchanting destination year-round.
THE HISTORY OF ASHFORD CASTLE
The stately architecture of Ashford Castle, located deep in the heartland of County Mayo and set against a spectacular backdrop of forests, lakes, and mountains, has witnessed enormous change since its foundation nearly eight centuries ago. It is a rare and precious fragment of Irish history. From the building of the tower house in the Middle Ages, the Castle walls have been witness to the triumphs and tragedies of all who have lived and worked there. Standing proudly on the shores of Lough Corrib, the story of Ashford Castle is an insight into the story of Ireland over the past.
1228 – A fierce invading Anglo-Norman family, the De Burgos, arrives in the west of Ireland and conquers the native O’Connor family of Connaught. The De Burgo family builds several Castles throughout the province, including the Castle of Cong (Ashford Castle).
1589 – The De Burgo family faced certain downfall in a desperate battle against invading English forces. Sent by Queen Elizabeth I, it was Sir Robert Bingham who pursued the native army right to the front doors of the Castle. The Castle was subsequently used as a British fortress, and a fortified enclave was added.
1715 – Ashford Estate establishes its name under the ownership of the Oranmore and Browne families. They built a house in the style of a French chateau which is now incorporated in the center part of the Castle. The family used Ashford as a shooting lodge and holiday residence.
1852 – Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness buys the Ashford Estate after the beginning of the great famine. He works extensively extending the estate to 26,000 acres and adds two large Victorian-style extensions, bringing much-needed employment into the local area. When Guinness came to Ashford he found the local population in a state of unbearable poverty. He immediately set about to mitigate their suffering by improving and cultivating the land.
1868 – Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness bequeaths Ashford to his son, Lord Ardilaun. The Lord and Lady Ardilaun had a love of trees and shrubs. Nearly one million trees were planted across the estate. The ideal was to connect all parts of the estate with walks and avenues lined with trees. Lord Ardilaun drew up a master plan with architect Joseph Fuller for a complete renovation in a Baronial style. For the huge extensions, he used local stone.
1939 – Noel Huggard buys the Castle and establishes it as a first-class hotel. At the auction of the Ardilaun’s house, Huggard and his wife bought numerous items, which they believed would be useful in the hotel including beds, linen, silverware, and kitchen equipment. This enabled them to open the hotel quickly.
1951 – Director John Ford comes to the west of Ireland to film what would become a movie classic, The Quiet Man. Many of the film’s stars stayed at Ashford Castle during filming, and the grounds became a prominent backdrop to the film.
1970 – Ashford Castle is bought by John A. Mulcahy who doubles its size, building the golf course and developing the grounds and gardens. Mr. Mulcahy’s large extensions to the building can be seen in the east wing of the Castle (to the right when looking at the main entrance to the Castle). He also acquired 11 identical chandeliers that can be seen in all their splendor in the George V dining room. Each chandelier cost £11,000 when bought from Waterford Crystal in c.1971.
1985 – A group of Irish American investors purchase Ashford Castle. Amongst these investors are Chuck Feeney, philanthropist & businessman, and Tony O’Reilly, former rugby union player & Irish media mogul.
2008 – Ashford Castle is acquired by a Galway developer.
2013 – Ashford Castle is purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Stanley and Beatrice Tollman and is now part of the ‘Red Carnation Hotel Collection’ where it is cited as one of the most luxurious resort hotels in the world. High-profile celebrities and public figures enjoy its charm.
