THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY 57
KILKEA CASTLE
KILKEA CASTLE & ESTATE:
Kilkea Castle, which dates back to 1180,
combines history and mystical charm with the
allure of timeless sophistication and luxury.
One of the oldest inhabited castles in Ireland,
the medieval fortress and estate was sold by
the Fitzgerald family in the early 1960s. It
was run as a hotel for decades but entered
examinership in 2009, as a result of the Irish
financial crisis. It has undergone a five year,
$30-million renovation and restoration and
today stands ready to extend a 5-star welcome
to travelers from around the globe. The estate,
which is located one hour from Dublin, includes
the castle, the carriage rooms, a grand function
hall, restaurants and bars, the spa, and the
golf club with self-catering suites. It sits on
180 acres of lush woodland, lavish, rose-filled
gardens, a serene river, and a world-class golf
course.
OWNERS:
In 2012, Boston construction mogul Jay
Cashman and his wife Christy purchased
Kilkea Castle, which had been owned by the
state since 2009. Mr. Cashman is the founder
and CEO of The Cashman Companies,
which employs more than 1,000 people in
the marine construction, dredging, vessel
leasing, renewable and wind-powered energy,
real estate development, environmental
remediation, heavy/civil construction, water
storage, and power plant maintenance. Mrs.
Cashman is an actress, writer, producer,
philanthropist and entrepreneur who has
appeared in over 20 films, including American
Hustle, The Forger, Joy, and Ted 2. In 2014,
she founded of Saint Aire Productions and
co-founded Charity Warriors Challenge, an
annual competition that provides a platform for
women and their charities.