Popular Mayo hotel set to host event with Guinness family

This December, as the centenary anniversary of the passing of Lady Ardilaun is marked, Ashford Castle in County Mayo will host a once-in-a-lifetime experience with an exclusive evening in the company of four members of the Guinness family in their former ancestral home. Guests will enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a formal dinner in the Connaught Room, gaining a rare, personal insight into one of Ireland’s most influential dynasties. 

Following the success of the hit television series House of Guinness, which brought the story of the family to a new generation of viewers, this unique experience invites guests to go beyond the screen and step directly into the real-life world of the Guinness legacy. Alongside this extraordinary evening, guests can also explore the Castle’s woodland walks once enjoyed by Lady Ardilaun (portrayed by Danielle Galligan in the series). Guests won’t just learn about Guinness history, they’ll live it.

The Guinness History Weekend will take place on December 12-14. The weekend marks the centenary of Lady Ardilaun’s passing and Ashford Castle has curated a two-day programme of events that pays homage to her story and the wider Guinness legacy.

From €1,225 per person sharing, guests will enjoy two nights of luxury accommodation in a Corrib room, with breakfast each morning and the freedom to explore the 350-acre estate by day. On the opening evening, the Castle’s private cinema will host a special talk by Dr. Kevin Egan, an esteemed academic and gifted storyteller renowned for his work on the Guinness family. Guests will be transported through time as Dr. Egan speaks about Lord and Lady Ardilaun’s life together, their mark on Ashford and the wider community.

On the Saturday afternoon, guests will have a rare and historic opportunity to join the Guinness family for an intimate gathering in the cinema, where they will hear personal reflections and family stories that extend beyond the history books.

That evening, guests will join the members of the Guinness family for pre-dinner drinks in the wine cellar, once the servant’s entrance and coal tunnel for the Guinness family, followed by a formal dinner in the elegant Connaught Room, the former Drawing Room for the Guinness family. 

In addition to the official programme, guests will be free to enjoy the full breadth of the Ashford Estate. Options include woodland and lakeshore walks once enjoyed by Lady Ardilaun, golf on the nine-hole course, horse riding, falconry at Ireland’s oldest falconry school, clay shooting, or archery. For those seeking relaxation, the award-winning Spa at Ashford Castle offers treatments inspired by the surrounding landscape.

This extraordinary weekend blends heritage, storytelling, and culinary excellence, creating an experience steeped in history and luxury.

For more information, email Reservations@ashfordcastle.com  or call 094 954 6003.

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