Ashford Castle

County Mayo, Ireland
Given its extreme age the Ashford Castle has gone through many evolutions. It was built in the 13th century as a crenellated castle. The current central building, a French style chateaux, was added in the 1700s and the entire structure was redesigned as a hunting and fishing lodge in the 1800s. Today as a hotel it has 80 spacious bedrooms with soft traditional furnishings in relaxing shades and heavy sash curtains on the windows. Considered one of Irelands finest five-star resort hotels.