The outdoor areas have also been given the tender loving
care required with enhancements and expansions. The falconry school, which was Ireland’s first, has been fortified, as
has the equestrian centre. The walled and herb gardens have
been tidied, and for more active types, the two tennis courts
are now all-weather surfaces with an on-site tennis coach
who can assist guests looking to perfect their technique.
W
ith a plethora of new additions and amenities, the
renovation programme will ensure that the castle,
and the 350 acres in which it stands, will provide
five star facilities and levels of luxury synonymous
with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel collection of which
it is now part.
Once owned by Lord and Lady Ardilaun of the Guinness family,
the castle has welcomed royalty, celebrities and heads of state across
its illustrious history including George V (then Prince of Wales),
Ronald Reagan, Brad Pitt, John Wayne, Fred Astaire, Barbra Streisand, John Travolta and many more.
Now, every inch of the glorious castle estate, parts of which date
back to 1228, has been carefully examined, restored and enhanced
to enable the hotel to cater for all generations, holiday requirements
and business needs. The dynamic design team was headed by Mrs
Beatrice Tollman, Founder and President of Red Carnation Hotels,
with the support of her daughter Toni Tollman, the Red Carnation
project team and architect Philippe Bonino.
The renovation will ensure family members are well catered for under one historic roof with the addition of a 32-seat cinema, children’s games room and even a Lego Room Service menu to keep
younger family members entertained. Adults will appreciate the creation of a splendid billiard room, two outdoor roof terraces (one of
which will serve fine Cuban cigars) and an array of enhanced public
areas, all of which provide the perfect environment in which to kick
back and relax in comfort and style. Couples in search of a romantic
hideaway will find exactly that at Ashford Castle where the ancient
underground wine stores will be transformed into private dining
cellars and the old boat house on the shores of Lake Corrib is set to
become a private and secluded honeymoon suite. The final piece of
the intricate renovation is the addition of a beautiful spa and indoor
ozone-filtrated swimming pool which, subject to the appropriate
planning approvals, will open by August 2015 and wi