Kilkea Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

Stayed here yesterday and omg such a beautiful castle. Our room was amazing with a beautiful view of the gardens and courtyard. Our meal in the restaurant was outstanding with the friendliest servers. A beautiful breakfast in 1180 was amazing aswell and staff couldn't of been more attentive. Highly recommend and will definitely be back to stay again 🥰🥰❤️❤️

We've not yet even finished our stay but feel it necessary to get a raving review in ASAP. We've come for our honeymoon and the staff at Kilkea Castle have made this an experience we'll never forget. From the beautiful and spacious rooms, to the stunning grounds and gardens surrounding the castle, we couldn't have imagined anything better for this occasion! A huge thanks to the spa and reception staff for their generosity and making us feel very welcomed. Special shout out to Glenn and Sam for putting on the charm for our final dinner at the castle and blessing us both with a fantastic night of celebration. If Australia wasn't so far away, we'd certainly be back here in a heartbeat.

Absolutely stunning castle just an hour from Dublin. Beautiful grounds, unfortunately the weather was brutal. Great food, fabulous staff. Very well looked after by Andrew in the bar. Beautiful Spa treatments and lovely thermal suite. Just a couple of issues with the room, no mirror in the bedroom so had to drag hair dryer into the bathroom. Also, the wardrobe was very old and made a terrible rattling noise every time you moved in the room.

Our stay at Kilkea Castle in March 2025 was absolutely wonderful. My wife and I stayed in one of the lodge rooms, which was spacious and comfortable. While the carpet showed some wear, it was understandable given the room’s lovely patio overlooking the golf course — a view we thoroughly enjoyed. We were visiting for a family reunion with friends who have relatives in Ireland, and Kilkea Castle did a phenomenal job hosting the event. The setup was elegant, and the food was truly exceptional. As vegans, we were prepared to make do with the options available, but the staff went above and beyond — the attendant noticed our needs and had the chef prepare a special entrée just for us. That level of thoughtfulness and service was outstanding. Breakfast each morning was delicious, with plenty of plant-based items for us to enjoy. We also took time to stroll around the beautiful castle grounds and admire the landscaping — it’s a truly magical setting. We loved our stay and would absolutely consider Kilkea Castle again the next time we’re in the area. Highly recommended!

Our family of four —with 2 teens—had ann unforgettable stay at Kilkea Castle. It’s a magical authentic castle retreat with modern comfort and extraordinary service.||We stayed in the Carriage House located in the courtyard across from the castle’s main entrance. The room duvet’s were cozy and we slept like a dream. The housekeeping service was seamless —-team somehow knew exactly when to tidy the room!||The fine dining experience at 1180 was elegant and well executed, with service that was genuinely joyful. We also dined at Hermione’s, overlooking the greens, and were equally impressed. ||Breakfasts in the Drawing Room and at 1180 gave us an authentic castle experience. Service was warm and attentive, with food and beverages continually refreshed, making every meal relaxed.||Throughout the castle, we sat by cozy fireplaces to soak in the atmosphere. The gardens and forest provided beautiful paths for a family walk, while the tennis courts gave our family plenty of exercise.||The surprise highlight of our stay was a private falconry experience with Tom, the castle’s falconer. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but it exceeded every expectation. Tom’s knowledge, storytelling, and engaging ways made the experience fascinating and fun. We learned about the history of Ireland, parts of the English language derived from falconry, and the evolution and purpose of falconry through centuries. Meeting two owls, two falcons, and a hawk was generous—and we each had the chance to fly the hawk and hold all the birds. There were endless laughs, learning moments, and pure magic on the castle grounds.||Kilkea Castle is a place we must return to—a relaxing retreat that captures the magic of a yesteryear in modern comfort and with amazing service. An unforgettable experience from beginning to end.

Stayed in the castle and dined in the 1180 restaurant. The food was faultless. The use of in season ingredients was perfectly executed. All components were placed on the plate with care and precision. The plates were not overly complicated but rather made the simple components sing. The service was very good. Im being hyper critical by saying that I had a dirty fork and had to remind the young waiter twice to replace it. Overall a great stay but the food in the restaurant was the real star. Not at all far off Michelin.

Commendation on the Opening of the New 1180 Restaurant Kitchen and Menu||The opening of the new kitchen and menu at the 1180 Restaurant feels less like a relaunch and more like the beginning of a warmly anticipated new chapter for Kilkea Castle.||Under the guidance of Dawid Smietana, the restaurant has been thoughtfully and thoroughly renewed. The changes extend well beyond a revised menu, reflecting a genuine investment in people, craft, and atmosphere. From the newly assembled kitchen team to the dining-room staff, there is a clear sense of pride, purpose, and care in how the experience is now being shaped.||The tasting experience that marked the opening was both confident and generous. It asked much of the kitchen, yet each course arrived with a calm assurance that spoke of skill, preparation, and trust within the team. The food was beautifully balanced, allowing flavours to speak clearly while still surprising and delighting.||The wine pairings were a particular highlight and deserve special mention. Executed by the experts at Febvre Wines, Kilkea Castle’s valued partners, the pairings were exceptionally well judged. Each wine felt perfectly at home alongside its corresponding course, enhancing the food without ever competing with it. Wine and cuisine worked together in genuine harmony, creating a seamless and unhurried flow throughout the evening.||There was also real pleasure in the presentation of each dish. Every plate was thoughtfully composed, inviting the diner to pause, observe, and engage before the first bite. The experience unfolded naturally, one course leading gracefully into the next, encouraging curiosity, conversation, and enjoyment at the table.||Set within the timeless surroundings of Kilkea Castle — a place that has hosted gatherings and celebrations for more than eight centuries — the renewed 1180 Restaurant feels both respectful of its history and quietly confident about its future. It is heartening to see a familiar and much-loved space take on new life with such care and imagination.||This opening signals a bright and promising path ahead, and it is a pleasure to welcome the 1180 Restaurant into this next phase of its story.||Tom King

Arrived and found out we had received a complimentary upgrade. Check-in was easy, the room was really lovely, the spa was wonderful, the bar area in the evening was atmospheric and the breakfast was brilliant. The staff are fab, so friendly and accommodating. It was so festive, exactly what we were looking for! We didn’t have dinner in the hotel, but the dining options looked great. The only advice I have is that some of the rooms are not accessible (we were in 206 which has stairs in the room) so watch out for that when booking!

Kilkea Hotel is a spectacular and beautiful property. The renovations to turn it into a hotel include some modern amenities but keep a lot of the historical charm of the property which I appreciated. We had one castle room and one carriage room for our stay. Both rooms were quaint and well maintained. The gardens around the property are gorgeous and wonderful to explore during nice weather. The only thing to note is that in off-season the main restaurant is only open on the weekends and the tea service is not available during the week. While we enjoyed the food at Hermione's, the day we stayed there was a group event closing the main restaurant so we had to eat in the bar area. Most of the activities are off the property which wasn't very clear as we approached the date of our stay. We ended up visiting the National Stud Farm (about 30 minutes drive) and the clay pigeon shooting (about 40 minutes drive). Highly recommend both activities and really appreciate the staff helping us arrange these activities. The downstairs bar area is open late with a delicious charcuterie and board games are available to use by the fireplace which was a fun way to spend the later evening hours. Highly recommend staying at Kilkea Castle Hotel!

The castle was amazing!!! From the wonderful staff to the tasty breakfast and delicious pints. From the moment we stepped on property to the moment we departed. It was first class. The property itself is stunning. Plenty to do between golf, the spa, the gym, bird flying, walking around and great food plus drinks. We made the 30 minute ride to the outlet malls and loved that also. The proper Irish breakfast to start everyday was amazing! I wish they would bring that to the states. Thanks again for the hospitality! Cheers

Everything was just top notch. Hotel room in the carriage houses (next or the castle) were comfortable with great, powerful shower, comfortable bed, quiet grounds and impeccable service. Castle bar was open late. After the falconry experience (strongly recommend) we brought our own charcuterie and cheese and bought a number of bottles of wine at the castle bar overlooking the back gardensand with our party of 9. Late night cigars and whisky watching the 1030 sunset. Also, Dinner at the Hermione's was excellent, higher end fare , again with fantastic service. Owners have done an amazing job.

We attended a family wedding here which, in itself was wonderful and memorable. The reception was held in the main function room in the castle. The food was superb considering it was mass produced for 200 people. I'd go further and say it would stack up well against many high end restaurants in Dublin. We stayed in the adjacent lodge accommodations, a very short stroll across the grounds which also accommodates a golf course. And it's a genuine 12th century castle. Magnificent.

This place is absolutely stunning. We were here for a friends wedding and stayed at their lodges. Everything is walking distance, whether it be the castle itself, the restaurant, or the golfing. They also have a bar in the castle that is open pretty late and the have the most wonderful staff. Not to mention all the additives you can enjoy. (We did a falconry event and it was a once in a lifetime experience that we are so glad we got to take a part in).

We stayed here for one night and were treated like royalty! The grounds were stunning, the service was impeccable, and food was outstanding. The highlight of my 5yr olds summer trip to Europe.

Our first impression of our stay at Kilkea Castle was with Rocky who picked us up at Dublin Airport. He's just outstanding! I wanted him to join us for our entire stay. We stayed in a Lodge, which was so nice and one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in while traveling. Noel at The Keep welcomed us with a Guinness and taught me how to pour one. We looked forward to seeing Noel every day as he was so fun and so welcoming. To say the staff is amazing is an understatement. To say the grounds are gorgeous doesn't do them justice. To say you owe yourself this experience is the best advice I can give. Your last impression, like your first, will be with Rocky. True to form he'll entertain you the entire way back, he'll remember all of your names, and your face will be sore from laughing. Just go!

There are certain things in life we plan for maybe as children or adults. For me I have always wanted to visit Ireland and it was an even bigger dream to visit a castle. We arrived in Dublin and rebated a vehicle from Enterprise, great experience there. The drive from Dublin International to Kilkea is about a little over an hour with light-moderate traffic. It's a great drive as well. Stop along the way at a pub for a beer and hearty Irish food. Upon arrival we were greeted by a doorman and front desk. We were helped to our too which was the Elizabeth room. Great comfortable room which faced the from of the castle. This room was inside the castle and not the carriage rooms. Breakfast was good and of great quality. Juices to egg omelettes and pastries. We had dinner one night in the clubhouse which was real chill and a few locals were there enjoying the night. The wait staff was prideful of their work and were professional about it. This is where I ordered my first Irish beef steak with potatoes and veggies. I would recommend staying here in the spring or summer months. I can only imagine how beautiful the land is warmer seasons. Plus take advantage of the golf course which looks absolutely amazing.

Fabulous visit in every way. The Castle and grounds are immaculate. The staff was friendly, professional and made you feel welcome at all times. Food was just amazing

My first view of "Kilkea castle hotel" was breathtaking, as me and my family drove up the long driveway to the castle. The castle was perfectly refurbished and it was like stepping back in time to hundreds of years ago when there was a rich family living in it. The rooms of the castle are beautifully refurbished with geniune 12th century style with high ceilings, stone arches and views of the surrounding golf course and gardens. "Kilkea castle hotel" is currently the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Ireland which makes it really special. We had a evening meal in the restaurant "De Lacys" the evening before the wedding which was also were the breakfast was served. I really enjoyed this meal and the service in the restaurant was second to none. Afterwards the bridal party retired to the bar for some drinks which was served in cosy residents bar just beside reception. The room my sister and I shared was very spacious and was The hotel booked us this room because they knew we would need a spacious room for me, my sister, mam and the two other bridesmaids to get our hair and make-up done which was good service. Before the reception at the hotel started there was a bagpipe player to lead us to were the food was being served which was really unique. The service was warm, friendly and the staff could not do enough to help. There was spicy chicken, salmon and melon as the appetiser and then Carrot and orange soup as starter. A choice of lamb or seabass for main and a small portion of pear tart, pavalova and chocolate cake. These choices were just ones of many you could choose for your wedding. The castle at nighttime lit up was absolutely stunning and the surrounding gardens made for some really nice pictures. I shared the second night with my friend who also attended the wedding and she really enjoyed the atmosphere of the castle, it really has an enchanting feel about the place. So whether you are just here for a weekend away, or are planning a wedding you will never forget, "Kilkea castle hotel" in the peaceful sourroundings of castledermot in Kildare should be the place you go. I would definately go back there in a heartbeat!

We had a wonderful stay at Kilkea Castle Hotel. The grounds are gardens were beautiful and the accommodations excellent. Half of our group made use of their golf course and the rest of us signed up for horseback riding. (Those who went golfing said it was an excellent course.) But I will say it was a bit misleading since they do not actually offer horseback riding on their premises as we originally thought. Instead they set it up with a local farm that was a 20 minute drive away. We did not know this originally and only a few of us in our group could drive the manual car we had rented. (I just wish they offered a shuttle service.) It was also disappointing since we wasted more time of our vacation driving to the farm and hadn't planned on that. The only other minor issue was that the woman at the hotel said we could pay with a credit card or have them invoice it back to the hotel. We found out once we got there they could do neither and they only took cash (the girl at the farm was very nice and said she had told the hotel staff this several times). Luckily we had cash but I don't know what we would have done if we hadn't (it was €180 for 4 people). The riding experience was great though and the staff was nice. Once back at the hotel we had dinner outside on the patio at The Bistro where the restaurant staff were so attentive and friendly. It was a delicious meal. Breakfast in Restaurant 1180 was excellent as well (very Downtown Abbey-esque). Overall we had a relaxing stay and loved just walking around the gardens and grounds.

"Magical" is the first word that comes to mind when I think of historic Kilkea Castle. Followed by magnificent, exquisite and exceptional! As first-time travelers to Ireland in March 2017, my family and I were fortunate enough to spend some time at this truly amazing Castle steeped in history! We were so impressed with the immaculate, well-equipped living spaces of The Lodges as well as the luxurious sleeping accommodations. A truly special experience! I highly recommend that you explore Kilkea Castle and all of its' top-notch offerings!

Kilkea Castle holds a special place in my heart, as it's where my parents both worked and met in the 70s. We've been visiting as a family every couple of years since the 90s (we now all live in the US), and it's always such a unique experience. The grounds and castle are immaculate -- you instantly feel transported back in time. The rooms are HUGE -- luxurious in this day and age, but a bit spooky (in my opinion) at night! Even though it's such a large estate, we've always felt very comfortable and at peace while visiting Kilkea. I can't wait to return with my husband.

This is a 5 star castle for sure! We stayed there for 10 days and there were 14 of us. Everyone had their own beautiful bedroom. We were taken care of to say the least. The beautiful grounds to walk around after dinner was our favorite. The wonderful gourmet dinners prepared by Peter and Lindsey were just perfect in the beautiful dining room. There are so many rooms to check out and just hang out in by a fire and have a drink or play a game. Everything is beautifully decorated too. The golf course is immaculate and the golf club has been renovated nicely too with a delicious menu. It's a must to stay here if you can. It is only about 1 hr. 10 min. to Dublin airport. Samantha can help with any excursions that you want set up. Horse back riding is close by, and you must do the Falconry it was the best!!! There is lots to explore here!

We recently stayed at Kilkea Castle. It was the unique Irish experience we have been dreaming of. From the grand tree lined entrance with views of the golf course and natural landscapes to the classic gardens, the property and castle are absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed fun filled days of picnics in the gardens, tubing down the lazy river, clay shooting, falconry displays, and top notch dining and service. It is the perfect blend of a historic medieval setting with modern amenities. We can't stop sharing photos and experiences with friends and family!

Kilkea Castle is the most amazing place to stay. My husband traveled to Ireland on our 20th wedding Anniversary in July and my husband's only request was to stay in a castle. This castle outdid any castle I could have imagined. It is absolutely beautiful and I truly felt like royalty! This is a once in a lifetime experience. It was bought out by an American from Boston some years ago and he has made it into the most lovely bed and breakfast. The room was huge and beautiful. It had all of the old antique furniture. So charming! The dinner was incredible. It felt like a 10 course meal. The grounds are charming. You can sit outside on the back patio and daydream while overlooking the garden. I highly recommend staying in the castle proper, rather than the carriage house. You will get a much better experience of what it truly was like to live in a castle. Thank you so much for making our stay in Ireland so memorable. Kilkea Castle was truly the highlight of our stay in Ireland! A very unique experience. You won't be disappointed!!

The most magical experience! It was like a fairytale. We visited early this Summer and I was absolutely blown away. The food is spectacular, the service is incredible, the accommodations are so spacious and designed in a beautiful rich decor. The stunning landscape of lush trees and gardens is the perfect backdrop for morning tea and evening cocktails. You feel like royalty from the moment you enter the gates. Truly the most incredible trip of a lifetime.

Truly an amazing place to stay and the perfect Irish experience. Not only were the Castle grounds beautiful, but the interior was stunning, a lovely mix of modern amenities and a historic feel. The Castle had easy access to fun activities including archery, falconry, and shooting. The golf course was quite nice as well, and playable if you are a seasoned veteran, or a relative novice. I highly recommend a stay at Kilkea Castle.

My husband and I just stayed here in July and it was the most memorable experience we've had. It was my first time visiting Europe and the staff at the castle were so inviting - we felt like family - with a little "royalty" treatment thrown in for good measure. The castle itself is breathtaking and all the rooms are spacious, quiet and comfortable. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time in such a magical and historic place with such amazing caring people. The experience of beautiful surroundings and outstanding service made our stay absolutely spectacular. This IS a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you to Samantha and the entire staff!

Stayed here with my family for 5 fun nights. The castle and property are beautiful. We took plenty of scenic pictures while golfing. The views of the castle from the back nine were incredible. We enjoyed every aspect of our stay, from the food and drinks to the welcoming and friendly staff. Everyone that we met treated us so well that we felt spoiled. I'm anxious to return for another great experience.