Featured image of Clontarf Castle

Clontarf Castle Hotel- History & Architecture

LocationClontarf, Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Google Maps)
Open for VisitorsYes
Owned byGerry Houlihan and family
Official WebsiteClontarf Castle
Rooms AvailableYes (Stay, Wedding, Events)

Clontarf Castle Hotel is a luxurious four-star castle hotel located in a tranquil coastal setting, surrounded by fabulous golf courses and the serene Irish Sea.

Clontarf Castle History

The present castle dates back to 1837, but there was a previous castle on the site in 1172. It was built by Hugh de Lacy and was home to the Knights Templar, famous for fighting in the Crusades. In 1308, the castle passed to the Knights Hospitaller and then to Viscount Clontarf, who surrendered the castle to the King.

However, the area is recorded in earlier Irish history for the famous Battle of Clontarf, which saw the victory but the demise of Ireland’s last High King Brian Boru in 1014.

Sir Geoffrey Fenton, the secretary of state for Ireland, was granted the estate in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I. Through his descendants, the castle passed into the King family, from whom the lands were confiscated during the Irish Rebellion in 1641. The castle then changed hands several times after Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland, with the Vernon family being the longest inhabitants for over 300 years.

However, in 1933, the castle was sold by the last remaining member of the Vernon family to the Oulton family and was sold again in 1952 to pay death duties. In 1972, the castle was run as a cabaret venue for 25 years and was reopened in 1998 as a four-star hotel.

Clontarf Castle Architecture

Clontarf Castle Hotel
Clontarf Castle Hotel, by JP, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The current building of Clontarf Castle is Victorian and dates to 1837, when the Irish architect, William Vitruvius Morrison, designed it. It is a charming castellated tower and manor house with an excellent selection of bedrooms and deluxe suites, tastefully furnished with a traditional Irish theme. The castle hotel has 111 guest rooms and suites in various styles, and each room has large beds and is fully equipped with all the modern facilities.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink inside Clontarf Castle Hotel, including ‘Knight’s Bar‘ and the unique Fahrenheit Restaurant. The Clontarf Castle restaurant has a majestic feel with striking wooden beams, stained glass windows, and panelled walls. It has carefully articulated contemporary menus, impeccable service, and sophisticated signature cocktails which showcase the best of Ireland to the guests.

The castle hotel also has two friendly charismatic bars, the contemporary styled Ìndigo Lounge and the traditional Knights Bar, with nightly entertainment. The Indigo Lounge is exceptional in its setting, with red chandeliers, stylish glassware, and individual-style seating. Located in the original castle building, The Knights Bar showcases a dramatic ceiling, massive open fireplaces, and atmospheric stained glass windows.

Clontarf Castle Hotel is one of Ireland’s leading wedding venues, offering historical romance and modern facilities. The castle hotel offers wedding packages that are perfectly tailored to your tastes and requirements. The castle wedding offers you a unique wedding experience and fulfils your dream fairytale wedding. Its breathtaking castle façade, dedicated art galleries, original 12th-century architecture, landscaped gardens, and a romantic outdoor terrace offer the best backdrop for your memorable wedding photographs.

The castle also has a gymnasium, provides guests with access to a local leisure centre, and is close to the renowned golf courses at St Ann’s and Royal Dublin. It is within accessible distance of Dublin’s busy shops, famous sights, and bustling nightlife, making it a perfect spot for your next holiday.

Clontarf Castle Hotel

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Clontarf Castle?

The castle is located in Clontarf, in the county of Dublin, Ireland. The castle is just ten minutes from Dublin City Centre and 5 miles from the Dublin Airport.

Who owns Clontarf Castle Hotel?

Gerry Houlihan and his family own The castle hotel.

Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
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Meet Saurabh Sharma, a tech pro with a master's from Latvia's Riga Technical University. He's great with computers, focusing on Cloud Computing and DevOps. But here's the cool part – Saurabh has traveled to places like Nordic, Baltic, and other parts of Europe. And guess what? He's into European history, monuments, castles, and museums. Whether he's coding or exploring, he's always curious, showing a love for different places and histories.

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