Iconic Ashford Castle to be revamped

Ashford Castle to be revamped over two-year period


Ciara Galvin

REFURBISHMENTS of the iconic five star Ashford Castle Hotel in Cong are set to take place this year. Extensive refurbishment works are part of a two year phase of works by the hotel’s new owner Red Carnation Hotels.
Speaking to The Mayo News Director of Sales and Marketing for the castle Paula Carroll said the plan is to refurbish the hotel over a two year period.
“What they [Red Carnation Hotels] plan on doing is completely refurbishing all of the public areas and 50 per cent of the bedrooms this year,” explained Ms Carroll.
“And then obviously next year it will be a phased programme and basically by the and of it all we’ll have an absolutely unbelievable place, even more than we have at the moment,” stated Ms Carroll.
Details of extensive works relating to the building of a swimming pool and gym have not yet been confirmed by the hotel but staff at the internationally renowned hotel have been made aware of the current refurbishment plans.
Previous plans for works on the castle included the development of 13 penthouse bedrooms, 30 residential lodges and the upgrade of the nine hole golf course to an 18-hole venue.
Referring to the hotel’s international recognition as being the only Irish hotel named in the Condé Nast Traveler Top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the World last year and recognised by top US travel magazine Travel and Leisure, Ms Carroll is confident that the only way is up for the 800 year old castle.
Before being bought by the South African hotel chain Red Carnation Hotels, the iconic estate received more than 200 inquiries from potential bidders across the UK, Europe, Far East, US and Australia.
The castle which featured in John Ford’s The Quiet Man returned to its Hollywood roots earlier this year when it hosted the cast and crew of American pilot series ‘Reign’ who were shooting on the grounds of the castle.