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During its long and colourful life Ashford castle has been host to Presidents and Princes
Ashford Castle is set in the idyllic countryside of county Mayo, surrounded by the tranquil settings of lush forests, shimmering lakes and picturesque mountains. The de Burgo family founded Ashford Castle in1228, following the defeat of the O’Connor’s of Connaught. For the next three hundred years the castle remained the ancestral home of the de Burgo’s who went on to build many other strongholds in the province.
Sir Benjamin lee Guinness acquired the castle in 1852 and instantly added his mark to the ever change property. The estate was extended to include 26,000 acres of land; new roads were built as well as the addition of two Victorian style extensions. His son and keen gardener, Lord Adilaun was bequeathed the estate in 1868. Lord Adilaun completely rebuilt and renovated the entire west wing of Ashford and added massive woodlands.
In 1915 the castle was given to the Iveagh trust on behalf of the family and there it remained until 1939 when it was brought and turned into a hotel by Noel Huggard.
During its long and colourful life Ashford castle has been host to Presidents (Ronald Regan in 1985) and Princes (Prince of Wales George V in 1905). It has been a temporary home to stars of the silver screen whilst they were filming “The Quiet Man” in 1951.
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In 1589, Ashford found its self in the hands of the English Lord Bingham, governor of Connaught, after a bloody and fierce battle between Lord Bingham’s forces and those of the de Burgos. After the inevitable truce, Lord Bingham constructed a fortified enclave within its grounds and the castle remained much as it was until 1715 when a French style chateau was added by the Oranmore and Browne family.
