Irish castle accommodations offer tourists a chance to experience a slice of Ireland's history at a castle. If you are planning a corporate or private vacation, one choice with a royal twist would be to spend time in one of the many Irish castles or manor houses which have been converted into hotels. Depending upon how luxurious you would like your holiday in Ireland to be, they range from large four and five-star luxury estates to smaller manor houses offering three-star accommodations at affordable prices. Some of the most popular stately homes and castles mentioned here guarantee beautiful views, lovely surroundings and, most of all, the hospitality that comes only from an Irish welcome.

Adare Manor Hotel - Co. Limerick (5 Stars)
This accommodation was voted the 'Number One European Resort' by the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's 2002 Readers Choice Awards. Adare Manor is adjacent to Ireland's most picturesque village and close to Shannon airport. The Manor was the former family seat of the Earls of Dunraven and is now a five-star deluxe hotel complete with golf course, indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, fitness room with state of the art equipment and a range of wonderful massage therapies.

Ashford Castle - Co. Mayo (5 Stars)
Ashford Castle is renowned as one of Ireland's most outstanding luxury resort hotels on the banks of Lough Corrib. Guests enjoy complimentary golf and leisure facilities including cruising and falconry. Ashford Castle has been the setting for many high profile visitors in the recent past. Each guest room is individually designed to provide stylish personal comforts. Here you can live like a king and be treated like royalty.

Dromoland Castle - Co. Clare (5 Stars)
Sister hotel to Ashford Castle, Dromoland is one of Ireland's premier luxury castle hotels. Experience the life of the landed gentry, surrounded by timeless luxury, beauty and service. Guests, famous and infamous, come from far and wide to stay at Dromoland Castle. The bedrooms give a wonderful feeling of comfort to guests, in addition to luxury surroundings and a wide range of activities.

Waterford Castle - Co. Waterford (5 Stars)
This magnificent 'island hotel' is the ultimate getaway castle hotel only two miles from Waterford City. Set in a peaceful oasis of beautiful parkland overlooking the estuary of the River Suir. The guestrooms and suites are spacious and well-appointed with stunning views of the surrounding estate and golf course.

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel - Co. Galway (4 Stars)
Abbeyglen is an exclusive accommodation in the heart of Connemara. Beautiful gardens, waterfalls, streams and a panoramic view of Clifden make Abbeyglen a wonderfully romantic hotel. Abbeyglen offers tastefully decorated guestrooms with nine luxury suites which offer comfort and style. Facilities at Abbeyglen Castle include a snooker room, Jacuzzi, pool, secure parking, pitch and putt and a very interesting jogging route.

Kinnitty Castle - Co. Offaly (4 Stars)
Kinnitty is a splendid Gothic Castle standing on the slopes of Slieve Bloom hills. The castle's situation, one and a half hours from Dublin and Galway, makes it an ideal base for touring Ireland. Excellent cuisine, fine wines, open log fires and candlelight, together with a very warm and friendly welcome, create an atmosphere and hospitality that is special to Kinnitty Castle.

Castle Durrow - Co. Laois (4 Stars)
Castle Durrow is a Country House Hotel which lies in the heart of the Irish Midlands only ninety minutes from Dublin. Furnished with linens, soft velvet, smoky leathers and Georgian windows, all rooms have views of the estate and gardens. Facilities at the hotel include a cocktail bar, outdoor terraces, formal gardens, twenty-four hour room service, heritage trails, clay pigeon shooting, crazy golf and equestrian centre.

Kilkea Castle - Co. Kildare (4 Stars)
The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Ireland, Kilkea Castle is the perfect hotel for a conference or golfing holiday combining modern comforts with the elegance of the past. The castle has forty guest rooms, a restaurant, two bars, a health and fitness centre, a golf course and a helicopter pad.

Ballynahinch Castle - Co. Galway (4 Stars)
This historic castle is surrounded by three hundred fifty acres of woodlands, with the Connemara mountains to the rear, and overlooking the river. Log fires and fisherman's pub compliment the restaurant, offering the best fish and game available. Ballynahinch Fishery is world renowned as one of the finest salmon and sea trout rivers in Ireland. Ballynahinch Castle has a charm and aura which can best be described as 'Casual Country Elegance'.

Cabra Castle - Co. Cavan (4 Stars)
Dating as far back as 1760, and with its own nine-hole golf course, Cabra Castle is an ideal venue for golfing, fishing and equestrian holidays. In addition to the twenty en suite rooms in the 'Old House', the forty-four en suite courtyard guestrooms are located in what was formerly a 1750 granary & blacksmith. Cabra Castle is a member of Manor House Hotels.

Glin Castle - Co. Limerick (4 Stars)
Overlooking the River Shannon, you can book one of the fifteen lavish double bedrooms or rent the entire castle for a wedding or corporate event. After a long day on the golf links, take your cognac to the library, enjoy your drink and smile, knowing that the staff at the castle have anticipated your every want and need, and that tomorrow brings another glorious day in Ireland.

Clontarf Castle - Dublin (4 Stars)
Originally constructed in 1172, Clontarf Castle is one of Ireland's finest and most original hotels. The hotel exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere and those choosing to visit Clontarf Castle can make it their home. The hotel offers visitors the opportunity to experience a setting and standard of service which are second to none.

Markree Castle - Co. Sligo (3 Stars)
This three hundred fifty year-old castle hotel is situated in the romantic landscape where the poet Yeats found his inspiration. It is Ideal for the sports enthusiasts with good food, peace, quiet, space, and a warm, friendly welcome. The castle's grand ceremonial entrance hall, which is observed from the second floor balcony above, is a particularly attractive feature.

Barberstown Castle - Co. Kildare (3 Stars)
This is a great value castle close to Dublin. Barberstown is an historic country house hotel built in the thirteenth century. It is the ideal location from which to explore Dublin and the East. Only thirty minutes from Dublin Airport, there are twenty-two bedrooms, all individually decorated to evoke the castle's origins. The rooms are warm and elegant, with sitting areas, four-poster beds, antique desks, chandeliers, and spacious bathrooms. Family and disabled accommodations are available on request.

Ballinalacken Country House - Co. Clare (3 Stars)
This is an affordable Country House Hotel at the foot of Ballinalacken Castle near Doolin, Co. Clare. Ballinalacken House is three-star accommodation with spectacular views of Galway Bay, Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. The main part of the hotel is an old manor house with gorgeous marble fireplaces, and lots of character. The hotel is located in the great music town of Doolin, which also has the ferry to the Aran Islands.

Ballyseede Castle Hotel - Co. Kerry (3 Stars)
Here you can experience fifteenth century romance in the heart of Kerry. Ballyseede Castle is the perfect place in which to plan that special holiday or as a base for touring the west of Ireland. Enjoy a drink before dinner in The Library Bar which displays the great-carved oak mantelpiece. All the guestrooms are elegant and spacious and range from single, mini-suite to deluxe. The hotel is set on thirty acres of pasture and gardens.

Belleek Castle - Co. Mayo (3 Stars)
This is a charming stately home situated on one thousand acres of woodland. Belleek Castle is an ideal holiday location for the sports person interested in fishing, hunting, exploring and the like. Wonderful food and traditional Irish music can be found here. The Castle is informal, friendly and cozy, rich in decor and antiques, with many open fires to warm your steps back through half a millennium.

Bunratty Castle Hotel - Co. Clare (3 Stars)
You will find the newly expanded three-star Georgian Hotel next to Bunratty Castle and just five miles from Shannon Airport. Located just across from Durty Nellie's, Ireland's oldest pub. The hotel lobby and sitting areas are full of antique furniture and rugs, and the restaurant, Kathleen's, is set up like the great room of a castle.