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The Castle
Here is a magnificent 15th century Irish Castle set in a 560 acre demesne. The Castle, formerly the home of a succession of Earls, is fully staffed to the highest level and is available to let on an exclusive basis only. There are fourteen bedrooms and four reception rooms, each furnished with the finest of 18th Century Irish Antiques. The Castle was re-furbished throughout in January 2000. Here is a unique opportunity to experience Irish hospitality at it's very finest.The castle has offered hospitality to many people from all walks of life. A few years ago a well publicised society wedding was held here by a famous UK football star.
Location: Twenty minutes from Dublin City Centre and Dublin International Airport.
The resident chef is firmly established as one of Ireland's finest. Having worked in several excellent restaurants in Ireland he moved to the Continent where he gained invaluable experience in Michelin Star establishments before joining the castle staff in 1997. During his time at the Castle he has twice been chosen by The Irish Restaurant Association to represent Ireland in the prestigious Bocuse D'Or competition held in Lyon each year.
The Castle’s extensive cellars are well stocked with fine wines, spirits and liqueurs and special requests are fully accommodated.
Accommodation:14 luxurious double bedrooms, 5 of which have four-poster beds.
All guest rooms have Belgian chocolates, flowers, pure Irish Linen sheets, bathrobes, slippers, Penhalligon toiletries and a helpful guest directory. A pillow gift is provied and a nightly turn down by the resident maids.
The castle lends itself to being used for conferences and banqueting, there are two magnificent drawing rooms, a splendid dining room, a library, and a breakfast room. There is also a Billiards room with a full sized table.
Conference & Banqueting capacities:
Cocktail Reception for up to 150 people
Private Dining for up to 100 people
Board Room capacity for up to 20 people
U Shape capacity for up to 40 people
Theatre Style capacity for up to 60 people
Health Facilities
Full Massage and Beauty programs available on request
Personal Trainer available on request.
Additional Facilities
Babysitting or Nannies can be provided on request
Children's entertainer - on request.
Indoor Pursuits:
Antiques Tours
Historical Tours
Cookery Demonstrations
Wine Tasting
Whiskey Tasting
Learn to make an Irish Coffee!
Lectures on Georgian Dublin/Thoroughbred horses etc.
Water Colour Painting Classes
Outdoor Pursuits:
18 Hole Championship Golf Course and Club House
roquet on the Lawn
Outdoor 20 metre heated swimming pool
Tennis Court
Magnificent gardens (Booklet and Tour Guide available)
Duck & Pheasant Shoot
Clay Shooting, archery, fishing, horse riding - on request
Team Building games
Falconry
Orienteering
Carriage Rides through the estate with coffee in the "Folly"
Some bookings in the last five years include family residential holidays, visits by royalty, conferences, board meetings, incentive programs, marquee events, weddings, record launches, interviews, TV shows, product launches, film locations, fashion shoots, corporate events, gala evenings, Opera evenings and private parties.
Incentive Programs:There are several itinerary ideas available on request. The castle team will be pleased to write a specialised program relative to your group size, gender, age etc.
Family Stays: Nannies, children's programs and suggested places of interest to visit can be arranged on request.
Entertainment:
All forms of entertainment can be provided. e.g. medieval evening with costumes for guests, opera, guest artists, mime artists, Jazz, traditional Irish evening, Stock Exchange evening , Make your own Movie with "Oscar Award Ceremony" etc. (full list available on request.
Transport:
All forms of transport can be arranged (i.e. Limousine, motor coach, people carrier, cars, city tours, private house tours).
Price: The Castle is available to rent on an exclusive basis only for the day or evening from £6000 per day.
HISTORY OF THE CASTLE
The castle takes its name from a family who held the estate for more than three centuries, until it passed from the family in 1811. The exact age of the Castle is unknown as it is almost impossible to separate the present structure from the early stronghold around which the Gothic façade is built. The family were of Norman origin who fought with William of Hastings, acquiring substantial estates in Yorkshire and Leicestershire. Throughout the succeeding centuries the family was to play an important role in both English and Irish History. One of the most prominent Catholic families of the Pale (a picket fence and ditch enclosing a part of Ireland centering on Dublin to keep the unfortunate Irish natives out - hence the expression "beyond the pale"), they retained their faith after the Reformation, while at the same time benefiting greatly from the confiscation of the religious houses in Ireland. Apart from a short break during Cromwellian times, the family retained their influential position and continued to act as responsible members of the aristocracy for several hundred years. The family name became extinct following the death of the third Earl in 1829. The house was then sold to a Dublin businessman and his family remained there for many years.
The architectural history of the Castle is highly complex, representing a progression from medieval stronghold to comfortable castle estate - going through various stages and culminating in a gothic transformation that altered and unified the entire exterior. This romantic style, so fashionable in Britain and Ireland towards the end of the eighteenth century, gave the castle its present appearance. Tudor Revival and nineteenth - century Gothic Revival features are also part of the castle's unique fabric.
Under the ownership of a member of the Guinness family, the final phase of the castle's development took place in the 1940's and 1950's. During that time areas of the interior, particularly two of the drawing rooms, were ingeniously re-modelled using baroque and Georgian idioms which harmonise perfectly with the remainder of the interior scheme.
The present owners have carried out a substantial restoration gramme. In addition to the redecoration of the principal rooms, the castle has been furnished with a unique collection of eighteenth century Irish furniture. The passing centuries have endowed the Castle with a noble spirit, a warmth and character which visitors can share in today.
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ALL YEAR ROUND
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| Furnished: |
YES
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| Minimum Tenancy Period: |
1 DAY
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| Rent: |
£6000.00 minimum daily charge
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| Bedrooms: |
14 DOUBLES |
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| Receptions: |
FOUR STATE ROOMS |
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