History of Ashford
1228- Castle Establisment
The original castle construction was built in the year 1228 by the De Burgo family. The Anglo-Norman stronghold built several castles in the province of Connacht after their overpowering of the native O'Connor celtic clan. Ashford remained the primary castle for the family through out their ruling of the area which lasted for three and a half centuries .
1589- English Rule
The castle was then passed in to the hands of Sir Richard Bingham, Lord President of Connaught, after a battle with the De Burgos. During his period withing the castle he oversaw the addition of a fortified enclave to the grounds of the castle.
1715- Ashford Estate
Ashford estate was established in 1715 under the ownership by the Browne family. First extension to the castle was brought to the fore in the style of a french style chateau
1852- The Guinness Era
Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchases the castle and extends the estate to 26000 acres. There was also extensive works carried out to the grounds of the estate with trees being planted and roads through the estate being constructed. The Castle also took a new image with two Victorian extensions being added to its existence.
1868- Lord Ardilaun
The estate and castle is left to Sir Guinness's son Lord Ardilaun. He orders the development of woodland areas within the ground and the complete redevelopment and refurbishment of the west wing of the castle
1939- Hotel Beginnings
The castle is then retained by the Iveragh trust on behalf of the guinness family until it was bought out by Noel Huggard in 1939 and established it a a first class hotel which thrived on its simple country style merits.
1970- Expansion and Restoration
The hotel again changed hands this time into those of John Mulchay. He ordered the construction of an 18 hole golf course and the refurbishment of the castle and grounds. In 1985 a group of American investors purchased ashford and continued to grow its success placing it alongside the elite hotels of Europe.
2013- Red Carnation Hoteliers
In 2013 the Red Carnation Hotel Group bought out the castle and estate. They instructed a complete facelift for the hotel which had a final costing of €45million. It had the official opening in April 2015
