On our way back to the hotel, the GPS
directs us over the top of a massive hill that overlooks all of Tipperary. It’s
nearly dusk, so we decide to ditch the car on the side of the road and enjoy
the sunset. There isn’t another soul for miles, just a flock of sheep. This
time, they don’t seem to mind that we’re around. “It’s so beautiful!” I say,
and turn to look at Erik. He’s crouched on one knee, holding a diamond ring.
You see, while searching for my family’s past, I stumbled right into my
family’s future.
On
the top of the hill above the chapel was an alignment of four massive standing
stones
Have fun storming these castles
Ashford Castle, County Mayo
History
Ashford
Castle
Ashford (ashford.ie) was built in 1228 and
purchased by the Guinness family in 1852. Famous guests include Ronald Reagan,
John Lennon and even Brad Pitt.
What to eat
Start with a glass of bubbly in the sun room,
and then head over to the George V dining room for an elaborate five-course
meal (with wine pairings!). Chef Stefan Matez uses only locally sourced
seasonal ingredients. Try the Irish beef fillet with girolle mushrooms and
apple-lemon-scented potatoes, paired expertly with the 2008 Originel Merlot.
It’s definitely more decadent then your typical roast.
What to do
Ashford
Castle dates back to 1228
Don’t leave Ashford without visiting the
School of Falconry for one of its famed “hawk walks”. Earn person is paired
with a Harris hawk to take hunting in the forest around the castle. Don’t be
alarmed if you find your hawk staring at you – hawks have extraordinary
eyesight, and they will learn to recognize your face. Let them fly free among
the old-growth trees – don’t worry, they’ll come right back again once they see
that you’ve got food.
Castle Leslie, County Monaghan
History
Castle Leslie in County Monaghan
Sold to John Leslie in 1655, Castle Leslie
(castlelesie.com) has hosted everyone from Sir Winston Churchill to Pone John
Paul II. Paul McCartney even married Heather Mills in lavish ceremony here.
Don’t forget to say descendant of the original owners, who still lives at the
castle.
What to eat
Start with a pint of Guinness by the
fireplace in Conor’s Bar and then go to Snaffles for a modern fine-dining
feast. The Irish lobster risotto in a brandy cream sauce is so good it will
make you cry. Set on the mezzanine floor, the restaurant features a dramatic
hand-carved ceiling and oak trim.
What to do
Explore the estate’s 405 hectares of
sparkling lakes and greenery on horseback. The guides are well versed in the
castle’s gory past, which makes for an entertaining (if slightly morbid)
history lesson.
Kilronan Castle, County Roscommon
History
Kilronan
Castle in County Roscommon
Kilroman (kilronancastle.ie) was built in
the 1800s, and, as the ancestral home of the Tennison family, it’s one of the
few castles in Ireland that can trace its history back to royalty.
What to eat
Start with afternoon tea in the Drawing
Room and enjoy the view of Lough (Lake) Meelagh through enormous bay windows.
For a feast fit for a foodie, head to the Douglas Hyde restaurant. Feeling
adventurous? Try the wild boar for a real Game of Thrones experience. Finish it
off with chocolate fondant and Guinness ice cream.
What to do
Check out the spa, a spectacular
underground retreat that features marble floors, clean white columns and mosaic
tiles. After a candlelit deep-tissue massage, finish your treatment with a dip
in the hydrotherapy pool. A dungeon has never felt this chic.
The most famous castle of the moment…
Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle
Downton
Abbey’s Highclere Castle
Okay, we know it’s not in Ireland, but if
you’re in Hampshire, England, between May and September, why not sign up for a
guided tour of Highclere Castle (highclerecastle.co.uk), where Downton Abbey is
filmed? While you won’t find the Crawleys there, you might run into the Earl
and Countess of Carnarvon, who live on-site – the castle has been in their
family since 1679.
