Kilkea Castle

"This castle is old—so old that an Anglo-Norman lord built it in 1180. And throughout the centuries that followed, many sirs, dukes, wizards, explorers, lords, and ladies passed through before it became a hotel in the early 1960s. Today, the stony estate is home to Kilkea Castle Estate & Golf Club situated in Castledermot on 180 acres of its own land. Overlooking Killeshin Hills, a few minutes from the ancient Mullaghreelan Woods, Kilkea has 140 rooms—and guests can choose to stay in a castle, carriage, or lodge room. The decor is rich with plum, crushed velvet upholstered cushy armchairs, swirling floral wallpaper, and sunny yellow light fixtures. This is more than a gorgeous property, however: It also offers golf, tennis, equestrian activities, falconry, archery, off roading, whiskey and chocolate tasting, and fishing on the premises."