Ireland is renowned for its rich history and stunning scenery. And its castles. According to Ireland.com, there are 3,000 castles and castle ruins scattered across the Emerald Isle. And many have opened their doors to overnight guests. One such historic property is Killeavy Castle Estate in Northern Ireland.
Located in County Armagh in the southeast corner of Northern Ireland, just over an hour north of Dublin, Killeavy Castle started life in the early 1800s as a country lodge for the Foxall family, founders of Moore, McCann and Foxall’s Bank. In 1836, the family commissioned British architect George Papworth, to remodel the home into a Tudor-style castle. Papworth designed many notable structures throughout Ireland, including the famed King’s Bridge and Dublin Library in Dublin.
By 1881, the property was under the stewardship of the Bell family, and it remained that way until 2000. Afterward, the building fell into disrepair and was unoccupied until 2013. At that time, it was purchased at auction in by Mick and Robin Boyle. The couple began restoring the castle and grounds in 2016. This included restoring the castle to its original grandeur inside and out. And the mill and coach house was transformed into a luxurious four-star boutique hotel. The lovingly renovated estate opened to great fanfare officially in July 2019.
A Bucolic Beauty
Killeavy Castle is set on 365 acres of rolling farmland, tucked away in the shadows of Slieve Gullion, a picturesque forested mountain and the highest point in the county. “Today, we have 365 acres, one for each day of the year. The castle itself has 52 windows, one for each week of the year,” says estate operations manager Cristian Fierastrau. “And when we purchased the property, they were nine bridges. And the owner asked, ‘Can you add three more so we can have one for each month of the year?’ So, we currently have 12 bridges on the property.”
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The castle itself has four guest rooms, but the building is rented as a single unit. Wedding parties and other groups often rent the castle for a more private, intimate stay. A wedding was booked during my visit, so unfortunately I didn’t get to explore the castle. But I did get to sneak inside and back out through an underground tunnel that leads into the walled garden. The contemporary hotel structure, which sits just a short walk down the hill from the castle, offers 45 modern guest rooms. This is where I stayed. And there are four self-contained, pet-friendly cottages/residences on the property, as well.
Staying at Killeavy Castle
About 8 minutes off the main highway that connects Dublin to Belfast, Killeavy Castle Estate sits at the end of winding tree-lined road. Reception is in the mill and coach house. The restoration blended elements of the historic building with new materials. Many of the original stone walls were left uncovered to showcase the structure’s initial purpose. A wall of photos details the renovation process. And the property’s original mill stone is displayed at the base of the staircase.
An interior walkway brings you to the new hotel. The three-story establishment is built into the gentle slope of the countryside, so the main level of the coach house connects to the third floor of the hotel. In addition to the guest rooms, the new building houses a restaurant and bar, cafe, and spa.
The rooms are bright and modern. And all feature supersize king beds. The color palette comprises soothing shades of gray, griege, and white, with natural wood accents. Large floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the verdant landscape, where flocks of sheep graze in green meadows.
The bed is covered in comfy Irish linens. The tweed wool bed throw blanket and matching decorative pillows are especially cozy yet also elegant. And velvet seating in pops of either yellow, orange, teal, or green (depending on your room; mine had touches of teal) add to room’s sumptuous vibe.
The large bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower and separate soaking tub. All bath products are locally produced, and single-use plastics are not used. “Being eco-friendly for us is not one thing, it’s not an action,” Fierastrau explains. “It’s a lifestyle, it’s something we do every day. That’s just the way we conduct business.”
Farm-to-Fork Dining
This sustainability philosophy extends from the guest rooms into the hotel’s dining. There are two restaurants onsite: the 2 AA Rosette (a UK rating system) Gullion at Killeavy and the more casual Bistro Bar. Many of the ingredients served in both are grown or raised on the estate. A walled garden and farm produce a wide array of herbs and vegetables, while herds of longhorn cattle and Cheviot sheep provide the proteins. Additional ingredients, such as seafood, are sourced locally.
Bistro Bar serves a gastropub-style menu of sandwiches, light dishes and main courses ranging from burgers and steaks to fried fish and sausage and mashed potatoes. Gullion, on the other hand, offers Taste-of-the-Estate four- and seven-course meals. Dishes here may include air-dried beef with blackcurrant bavarois, croquette of sika deer, crab beignets, poached hake, and fillet of longhorn beef. The Taste-of-the-Estate menu is available Thursday through Saturday.
If You Go to Killeavy Castle
Killeavy Castle Estate offers a peaceful escape away from the tourist-laden cities of Dublin or Belfast. But even with its rural location, there’s still plenty of things for guests to do. The spa offers a range of treatments for individuals and couples, as well as a hydro pool and outdoor hot tubs.
Or, you can explore the estate’s 350-plus acres of farm and woodland on foot or bicycle. Walking and cycling paths take you around the property, or you can head to Slieve Gullion Forest Park, which is only 5 minutes away by bike. E-bikes and mountain bikes are available for hire through the hotel. And, the estate offers nurturing experiences throughout the year. Try a forest bathing experience or a back-to-nature yoga retreat.
Rooms at Killeavy Castle Estate start at about $450 per night, and package spa deals also are available. You can compare rates and make reservations through a site like Booking.com or Expedia as well. The castle runs about $2,600 and requires at least six months advance notice for booking.
For more historic accommodations on the Emerald Isle, check out our roundup of some of the top castle hotels in Ireland.
Drone view of estate courtesy of Tourism Ireland. All other photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades.
