Kinnitty Castle
Kinnitty Castle is located equidistant from Dublin, Galway and Limerick; 75 miles away. It is set on the slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains between the villages of Kinnitty and Cadamstown.
The Gothic revival castle stands in woodland on a 20,000 acre estate. The two storey castle built from limestone is on the site of an original castle where the original Norman walls and Abbey can still be seen.
Facilities
Kinnitty Castle was renovated in 1994 and became a luxury hotel. The hotel has 37 bedrooms, a gourmet restaurant, library bar and a Louis XV style drawing room. The hotel has kept the old world style of the castle by including furnishings of the period.
Many of the facilities on offer are based around the outdoors with fishing, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding all available on site. For those who prefer to relax the hotel also offers a spa.
The hotel offers wedding packages and has hosted celebrity weddings including the wedding of Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack.
In the 11th century the O'Carroll's of Ely built a castle on the site. In 1630 new castle was built by William O'Carroll near the site of the original abbey which was confiscated by the English in 1641 and was handed over to the crown.
In 1664 the castle was handed over as a reward for military service to Colonel Thomas Winter, his descendents sold the castle after his death to the Bernard family in 1764. The castle was renamed Castle Bernard and in 1811 the family commissioned architects to extend it.
The castle was burned down by the republicans in 1922 and was subsequently rebuilt by the Bernard's who remained there until 1946. The castle was then purchased by Lord Decies, who only lived there for five years before he sold it again in 1951 to the State.
The castle remained with the state until it was sold to the Ryan family; descendents of the King of Spain, in 1994 when they transformed it into a luxury hotel.
The Arts
The castle has been used to film part of the 'Most Haunted' series.
Legends
It is said that the ghost of a monk haunts the Great Hall and Dungeon Bar at the hotel. He is reportedly friendly and enjoys some of the parties that are held there.