Mayo’s Ashford Castle launches literary tour celebrating famous writers
New experience explores the estate’s connections to Oscar Wilde, George Moore and the Irish Literary Revival
Ashford Castle in Cong has launched a new literary tour inviting guests to explore the Mayo estate through the eyes of some of Ireland’s most celebrated writers and cultural figures.
The Ashford Castle Literary Experience brings to life the stories, characters and legends associated with the estate, including its connections to Oscar Wilde, George Moore, George Bernard Shaw and the Irish Literary Revival.
Leading the experience is local bookseller and historian Robert Scott, who was originally invited to curate the castle’s library when it was established in 2014. Now retired, he continues to oversee the collection and will personally guide guests through its shelves while sharing the estate’s literary history.
Among the most notable figures associated with Ashford was Oscar Wilde, who spent time at the estate during his youth and remained a lifelong friend of Lady Ardilaun, wife of Arthur Guinness. The Wilde family also owned the nearby Moytura Estate, strengthening the writer’s connection to the landscape and its mythology.
The tour also explores the links between Ashford and George Moore, a leading figure in the Irish Literary Revival. A frequent visitor to Lord and Lady Ardilaun, Moore recorded his weekends at the estate in his writings, offering a glimpse into the social and artistic life of the late nineteenth century.
Further literary connections include George Bernard Shaw, whose maternal grandfather lived at nearby Kinlough House, and Lafcadio Hearn, the celebrated writer and Japanologist who developed an interest in Irish mythology while visiting relatives on the estate.
The experience extends beyond literary history, with guests also learning about the region’s folklore, mythology and legends.
Stories include the ancient Battle of Moytura and the traditions associated with Lough Corrib and the Ashford Estate, exploring the people and ideas that helped shape one of the most significant periods in Ireland’s cultural history.
The new tour offers a different perspective on the estate, combining its literary associations with the wider history and folklore of the west of Ireland.
The Ashford Castle Literary Experience is available throughout the year. The experience is available to residents of the castle only.