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Home Hotels 15 Magical Castle Hotels in Ireland (Feel Like Royalty!)
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15 Magical Castle Hotels in Ireland (Feel Like Royalty!)

  • Kara
  • August 20, 2019
  • Contains Affiliate Links

When I was 18, two weeks after high school graduation, I went on a solo trip to Ireland. I remember taking the bus from Dublin to Galway and being mesmerized by the countless castles on rolling green hillsides in the distance. 

I was young and broke back then, but I vowed that one day, I would spend a night in a castle hotel in Ireland. Fast forward 7 years and I was back in Ireland, this time with my new husband for our honeymoon! 

We did stay in a castle hotel, but one on Loch Lomond in Scotland, which was so fun, but I’ve always regretted not booking a castle in Ireland.

Giant's Causeway hours woman ireland
Giant’s Causeway
dublin temple bar
Dublin
dublin castle

So, to fuel my FOMO (really, this was low-key torture for me) I rounded up all the best, most magical castle hotels in Ireland. I keep finding myself back in Ireland so I know I’ll get across the pond again soon. I love the idea of a castle road trip – like a whole week driving around and spending each night in a different Irish castle hotel!

I just have to remember to pack a lot of ballgowns and my tiara to really go all out (only sort of kidding here.) 

When we went to Ireland on our honeymoon, we actually started in Munich for Oktoberfest then we hopped over to Dublin for a few days. We then rented a car and drove ALL over Ireland, up to Northern Ireland and then over to Scotland, getting as far North as the Isle of Skye and ending in London. If you’re planning a UK trip, these other posts may be helpful!

  • Ireland Road Trip Guide: how to rent a car + exact route!
  • How to spend 3 days in Dublin!
  • Inside the Lyrath Estate in Ireland
  • A First Timer’s Guide to London (what to see, do, eat and more!)
  • My favorite things to do in Edinburgh
  • Ultimate Isle of Skye travel guide
  • Tips for visiting the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland
 

15 Ireland Hotels That Feel Like Magical Castles 

There are a lot of beautiful hotels across the country (and in Northern Ireland, too!) These are my 15 favorites. Now, the hard part is to choose which castles to stay in Ireland!

photo by lougheskecastlehotel.com
Take a dip here! photo by lougheskecastlehotel.com
Soak the stress away in your private tub! photo by lougheskecastlehotel.com

Lough Eske Castle

Location: Donegal, Ireland
Average Price: $340/night (book best deal here)
 
Lough Eske Castle is not only one of the best castles to stay in Ireland, but it’s also rated as one of the best hotels in Ireland. (It has 5 stars!) It has tons of old world charm and is incredibly romantic. I want to stay here on our next visit!
 
Spend your mornings hiking the stunning Donegal county hills, then come back to Lough Eske Castle for a luxury spa treatment and a gourmet dinner. Some of the rooms are converted from horse stables which others are grand suites in the castle itself! How cool is that?! 
 
photo by booking.com

Waterford Castle Hotel

Location: Donegal, Ireland
Average Price: $250/night (book best deal here)

This is one of those real authentic castle hotels in Ireland. The castle is from the 16th-century! It’s also on a private island completely detached from the mainland. *prep the jet, Geoffrey, I’m going to my castle this weekend*

Waterford Castle is also a golf resort, so if that’s your thing, you’ll want to stay here! Breakfast is included so it’s easy to fuel up for a day on the links before an evening in a real castle!

photo by kilronancastle.ie

Kilronan Castle Hotel

Location: Ballyfarnon, Ireland
Average Price: $150/night (book best deal here)

This is one of the most luxurious castle hotels in the country. With over 40 acres of land surrounding the castle and perks like four-poster beds and antique furniture inside, you’ll feel like you walked back in time when visiting Kilronan. 

Maybe you want afternoon tea, or perhaps a visit to their luxury spa? Stroll on the spacious grounds or go exploring around West Ireland with the castle as your home base.

 

photo by loughrynn.ie
photo by loughrynn.ie

Lough Rynn Castle

Location: Leitrim, Ireland
Average Price: $150/night (book best deal here – sometimes you can get a $89 deal!)

Lough Rynn Castle is a bit different from other hotels because it’s technically a manor (but like, a castle-like manor in my opinion!) Lord Leitrim and his family, the Clements, used to live here. The house is over 200 years old, though of course, the inside is a modern, luxury space for guests. 

photo by ballynahinch-castle.com

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

Location: Galway, Ireland
Average Price: $400/night (book best deal here)

When I first saw a photo of Ballynahinch Castle, my jaw dropped. I turned to my husband and was like “we spent time in Galway, why didn’t we stay here?!”  Ballynahinch Castle is tucked in the countryside on a small lake. I know that the fall foliage here but be STUNNING!

Come for a weekend and go hiking, lobster catching, fishing, biking, clay shooting, afternoon tea and like, so many more awesome Irish activities! Sign me up! 

Ballyseede Castle Hotel

Location: Tralee, Ireland
Average Price: $175/night (book best deal here)

This castle is about 25 minutes from the Northside of the Ring of Kerry, which in itself is an all day trip. It’s also about an hour from Dingle, one of our favorite cute little colorful seaside towns that makes for a really fun evening of exploring!

Ballyseede is rated one of the most romantic castles in Ireland and is situated on 30 acres of gardens and woodlands. If you’re in the area and can’t stay, at least have dinner here one night!

photo by hastingshotels.com

Ballygally Castle Hotel

Location: Antrim BT40 2QZ Northern Ireland
Average Price: $140/night (book best deal here)

Located about a half-hour North of Belfast right on the coast. What makes this one stand out are their tower rooms! That’s right, they have a select amount of rooms in the tower that you can rent out! *Cue my speech to the peasants below* 

Also, Northern Ireland is Game of Thrones country, so this makes a great luxury home base for you GOT nerds. It’s just really fun to say quickly. Ballygally, Ballygally, Ballygally.

photo by ashfordcastle.com

Ashford Castle

Location: Mayo, Ireland
Average Price: $700/night (book best deal here)

They have a dungeon, but like a really posh one instead of a creepy GOT style one.  A classy afternoon tea room, emerald green guest rooms, horseback riding, fishing, boating, falconry and so many other activities on property or nearby. 

This has to be one of the best-decorated castle hotels – every room pops with textures and color. I’m here for it! 

photo by dromoland.ie

Dromoland Castle

Location: Clare, Ireland
Average Price: $650/night (book best deal here)

I’ll be honest, every castle hotel in the UK and Ireland probably goes all out for Christmas, but Dromoland may do it best. Everything from festive Afternoon Tea to holiday parties, special Christmas deals and more. They even have fabulous New Years Eve parties! 

photo by adaremanor.com

Adare Manor

Location: Limerick, Ireland
Average Price: $1500/night (book best deal here)

Another “manor” but it looks like a castle. People in the old days had STYLE, friends. This luxury manor/castle hotel goes all out, no matter the time of year and has won some notable hotel awards. 

Do a whiskey tasting or a historical tour. Spend a day at the spa or learn falconry. And fine dining each night for you, you Queen! 

photo by castleleslie.com/

Castle Leslie

Location: County Monaghan, Ireland
Average Price: $175/night (book best deal here)

Castle Leslie has a world-class Equestrian Centre so if you love horses, this is the luxury castle to spend a few nights in. You can plan your whole vacation around horses here if you want! They offer daily trail rides for all levels. 

photo by belleekcastle.com

Belleek Castle

Location: Mayo, Ireland
Average Price: $200/night (book best deal here)

Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, Belleek Castle is right next to hundreds of miles of woods and shorelines. If it’s raining outside, don’t worry! The castle has a great tour going over history and all the great artifacts from original owners.  

photo by clontarfcastle.ie

Clontarf Castle

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Average Price: $175/night (book best deal here)

Located just 10 minutes from Dublin City Center, Clontarf Castle is the perfect luxury escape from bustling downtown, but still, you know, being basically downtown! On our next trip to Dublin, I want to stay here to switch things up!

Plus, they were awarded Conde Nast’s Reader Choice award for top 10 hotel in Ireland! 

cliffs of moher ireland horse
Killkenny hotel estate Lyrath outfit

I hope this helps you find some great luxury castle hotels in Ireland for your trip! As a reminder, make sure to always check prices against booking sites and the hotel website to find the best deal! Irish castle hotels don’t always run cheap and while I think it’s the time to TREAT YO’SELF, it’s always a smart idea to get the best deal possible, right? More money for beer at the pub!

If you have any questions about Ireland or picking the best hotel, leave a comment below or shoot me a DM on Instagram @thewhimsysoul. I’ll be happy to help!

Kara

I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!

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16 comments
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  3. REJEKIBET says:
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    What a delightful list! Each castle sounds more enchanting than the last, and it’s hard to believe these places actually exist. I especially love the idea of staying in a castle with such rich history. I can already imagine the magnificent views and the royal treatment! Can’t wait to plan my trip to Ireland and experience the magic myself!

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  4. Rejekibet Apk says:
    April 7, 2025 at 3:09 am

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  6. JAYA SLOT says:
    April 20, 2025 at 7:03 pm

    What a fantastic list! Each castle hotel looks like a dream come true and perfect for a little escape into fairy tale luxury. I can’t decide which one to visit first! Thank you for sharing these magical options!

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  7. jayaslot says:
    April 20, 2025 at 7:03 pm

    What a delightful list! Each castle has its own unique charm and story. I can’t wait to visit some of these stunning places and experience a taste of royalty for myself. Thank you for sharing these magical accommodations!

    Reply
  8. xNxUbD vPn BrOwSeR aPk says:
    April 22, 2025 at 12:26 am

    Wow, what an enchanting list! Each castle sounds like a dream come true for anyone wanting to experience a taste of royal life. I love the idea of staying in a place steeped in history and surrounded by such stunning landscapes. Can’t wait to plan my visit!

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    April 22, 2025 at 12:26 am

    What an enchanting list! I can’t believe how stunning some of these castle hotels look. I especially love the idea of staying in Ashford Castle – it seems like a dream come true to experience such luxury and history. Thanks for sharing these amazing options!

    Reply
  10. Smash Karts says:
    April 22, 2025 at 11:38 pm

    What a fantastic list! I never knew there were so many stunning castle hotels in Ireland. I’m especially intrigued by Ashford Castle and its incredible history. Can’t wait to start planning my royal getaway!

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  11. smash karts online says:
    April 22, 2025 at 11:38 pm

    What an enchanting list! I’ve always dreamed of staying in a castle, and this post has filled me with so much inspiration. I can’t wait to plan my trip to Ireland and experience the magic for myself! Thank you for sharing these incredible options!

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  12. John Smith says:
    April 23, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    These castle stays look like a dream for anyone exploring Ireland. Great mix of historic charm and comfort. Definitely bookmarking this for a future visit. The variety here offers something for every traveler.

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  13. capcut mod apk says:
    May 3, 2025 at 7:22 am

    What a fantastic list! Each castle looks like a fairytale come to life. I can’t decide which one to visit first—Dromoland Castle or Ashford Castle. The history and luxury in these places are just incredible. Thank you for sharing such a magical selection!

    Reply
  14. capcut says:
    May 3, 2025 at 7:22 am

    What a fantastic list! I’ve always dreamt of staying in a castle, and these options look absolutely enchanting. The blend of history and luxury is just perfect. Can’t wait to plan my trip to Ireland and experience the royal treatment!

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  15. 91 club apk says:
    May 10, 2025 at 7:18 am

    What a fantastic list! I’ve always dreamed of staying in a castle, and this post has given me so many amazing options. The photos are stunning, and I love the historical tidbits about each castle. I can’t wait to start planning my trip to feel like royalty in Ireland!

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  16. 91 CLUB says:
    May 10, 2025 at 7:18 am

    What a fantastic list! I had no idea there were so many castle hotels in Ireland. The idea of staying in a place like Ashford Castle or Dromoland Castle sounds like a dream come true. Can’t wait to plan my royal getaway!

    Reply

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