Arrival/Check-In: The rain came down in buckets, and then the wind took it sideways. If you want to visit Ireland and you don’t like rain, there is a high probability you will not be happy. But those of us who love Ireland embrace this harsh weather as part of what keeps this special place green and fertile. The wind was so harsh it whipped the water off the lake as we arrived after a harrowing drive to Ashford. I loved it — this is all part of the experience. We were immediately greeted at the front door and told we could back into a spot right in front of the castle door (where the car remained for our entire stay). Staff brought our baggage in out of the elements. Inside, desk attendants greeted us and checked us in for our room, which was not ready. This offered us time to check into the Prince of Wales Bar for a lovely lunch and my first pint of Guinness on the trip. In 1905 the Prince of Wales, who later became George V of England, visited the bar. During our stay, rumor had it the current Prince of Wales was due to pay a visit, causing excitement that went through the entire castle. Soon after our lovely lunch of smoked wild salmon and homemade brown bread, we were escorted to our suite. Guest Quarters: Can it get any better than being whisked away to the Kennedy Suite in the oldest section of the castle? The suite is perfectly appointed with magnificent furniture for your Ashford experience. We came in through a large, heavy wooden door into an entry room that held an armoire with a mirror and vanity. Here, the Ashford team set up an elaborate electrical converter box (reminiscent of the Ghostbusters trap box from the 1984 movie), which proved more than capable of handling my wife’s many electrical hair management devices. Up a few steps to the main area, a lovely, 19th-century walnut queen-sized bed sat on the left, flanked with equally lovely two-tiered tables. The room offered a view of the lake and the manicured grounds. In front of a set of triple floor-to-nearly-ceiling windows, a seating area included a small settee with a chest acting as a coffee table. In the center of the room sat two tapestry-covered chairs and a Victorian rosewood table. To the right of the far wall, a desk provided great space for me to set up shop with my laptop and business papers. The wall also housed an 18th-century Spanish armoire. Services/Amenities: Ashford features nearly everything: a nine-hole golf course you can play with different tees and greens combinations for 18 holes; beautiful gardens; and the famed “Hawk Walk,” in which you walk in the woods with a hawk on your arm, launch it to the trees and have it return. The guides train you in no time to be an expert. It is one of the many experiences we will remember for a lifetime. The dinner options at Ashford are many, but you’ll want to secure a meal at the main dining room, the George V. The Guinness family built the dining room for the visit of the Prince of Wales. The service and style are impeccable, and the team treats you like royalty. Note the décor, including the Waterford chandeliers that grace the room. Cullen’s at the Cottage is a traditional thatched cottage just across the bridge from the castle and between the golf pro shop and the first tee. The restaurant offers more casual fare with a team eager to please every guest. It also presents a nice selection of local microbrew beer. Not resting on its laurels, the property developed many options for guests as part of its massive renovation a few years ago. The Dungeon, one of the new casual options for dinner, offers traditional Irish cuisine in a relaxed setting with a medieval feel (you may want to hold court while you dine). A storage area before the renovation, it has become a functioning space and an attractive option for dinner. The Experience: This is a special place, which I had always heard about on my many trips to Ireland. I dreamed of Ashford on my first visit when I was 23 years old, and I am pleased this dream finally became a reality. The renovation was significant, with the cleaning of wood panels in the entire building and repairs of roofs, guestrooms and windows. Even central air-conditioning was added, which today’s guest looks for. It took much behind-the-scenes work to make the castle a magnificent place to visit.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist] [item check=yes]Doorman/valet[/item] [item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item] [item check=yes]Separate tub and shower[/item] [item check=yes]Large vanity[/item] [item check=yes]High-quality towels[/item] [item check=yes]Powerful, unattached hair dryer[/item] [item check=yes]High-quality bed linens[/item] [item check=yes]Large, flat-screen television[/item] [item check=yes]Large desk with convenient outlets[/item] [item check=yes]Large, complimentary laptop safe[/item] [item check=yes]Complimentary in-room WiFi[/item] [item check=yes]Complimentary bottled water[/item] [item check=yes]Stocked minibar[/item] [item check=yes]Ample lighting[/item] [item]In-room coffeemaker[/item] [item check=yes]Iron and ironing board[/item] [item check=yes]On-site restaurant[/item] [item check=yes]24-hour room service[/item] [item check=yes]24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center[/item] [item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item] [/checklist]

Ashford Castle

Cong County Mayo, Ireland tel 353 94 954 6003 ashfordcastle.com