Ashford Castle, County Mayo

Ashford Castle is a medieval fortress on the shore of Lough Corrib with towers, battlements, and Victorian additions integrated throughout the property. The grounds extend across gardens, forests, and lakeside paths that connect the main building to the water.

The Burke family built the first fortress in 1228 as part of their control over the Connacht region. The Guinness family purchased the estate in the 19th century and expanded it considerably with additional wings and towers.

The castle grounds hosted the filming of 'The Quiet Man' in 1950, marking a significant moment in Irish cinema and international tourism.

The hotel offers activities including archery, fishing on the lake, and golf on the estate course. The gardens are open for walks and provide easy access to the lakeshore paths.

John Ford filmed much of his movie here in 1950, making the estate a location in Irish cinema history. Several scenes show the forests and lakeshore surrounding the building.

Location: Cong

Inception: 1228

Architectural style: medieval architecture

Website: https://ashfordcastle.com

GPS coordinates: 53.53480,-9.28441

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03