Location: R421 regional road between Kinnitty and Cadamstown Map
Official site
Kinnitty Castle, also known as Castle Bernard, is a neo-Gothic revival castle situated in the picturesque village of Kinnitty (Cionn Eitigh), County Offaly, Ireland, at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. This luxurious 4-star hotel and wedding venue, set within a 650-acre estate of parkland and forests, blends over 800 years of turbulent history with modern elegance.
Kinnitty Castle’s history is deeply rooted in Ireland’s ancient
past, with the site originally serving as a Druidic ceremonial
ground, believed to lie on a powerful leyline, enhancing its
mystical allure. Christianity arrived in the 6th century when St.
Finnian of Clonard established a monastery, marking the area as a
significant religious and educational hub. The first recorded castle
was built around 1209 by the O’Carroll family, rulers of the Kingdom
of Ely O’Carroll, but it was destroyed during the Anglo-Norman
invasion and rebuilt by the Normans in 1213. During this period, an
Augustinian abbey, St. Finnian’s, was founded nearby, with its High
Cross and abbey wall still visible on the estate today.
The
Normans were eventually displaced by the Gaelic O’Carroll clan, who
reasserted control. In 1630, William O’Carroll constructed a new
castle near the abbey, but it was confiscated in 1641 during the
plantation of Offaly (then King’s County) by English forces. In
1664, the crown granted the estate, including the castle, to Colonel
Thomas Winter as a reward for military service. The Winter family
held it for a century until it was sold to the Bernard family in
1764, who renamed it Castle Bernard.
In 1811, Lady Catherine
Hutchinson, wife of Thomas Bernard, commissioned the renowned Pain
Brothers—architects of Dromoland Castle and Adare Manor—to transform
the castle into the neo-Gothic masterpiece seen today, with pointed
arches, pinnacles, and intricate stone carvings. The castle faced
destruction again in 1922 when it was burned by Republican forces
during the Irish Civil War, a fate shared by many Anglo-Irish
estates. It was rebuilt in 1928, and the Bernard family resided
there until 1946, when it was sold to Lord Decies. In 1951, the
Irish state acquired it, using it as a Forestry Training College
from 1955 to 1985.
The Ryan family purchased the castle in
1994, converting it into a 37-bedroom luxury hotel. Financial
difficulties led to its seizure by KBC Bank in 2008, but it was
acquired in 2015 by a group of Irish and American investors,
including Derek Warfield of the Wolfe Tones and Colin Breen of Four
Green Fields Pub in Tampa, Florida. Since then, extensive
renovations have restored its grandeur, cementing its status as a
premier hospitality and cultural destination.
Notable
historical connections include Captain Richard Bernard, a Crimean
War veteran who died in 1877 and was buried in an Egyptian-style
mausoleum at St. Finnian’s church. The O’Carroll family’s legacy
also extends to America, with Charles O’Carroll’s descendant,
Charles Carroll, becoming the only Catholic signer of the
Declaration of Independence. Additionally, Montgomery Hitchcock, a
19th-century resident, was the father of Rex Ingram, a Hollywood
director of silent films.
Kinnitty Castle is a striking example of 19th-century neo-Gothic
architecture, characterized by its dramatic pointed arches, ribbed
vaults, and ornate stonework, designed by Richard Morrison and the Pain
Brothers. The castle’s exterior, with its turrets and battlements,
evokes a romanticized medieval aesthetic, while its interiors retain
original features like high ceilings, wooden floorboards, and arched
doorways. The 1928 reconstruction preserved much of the 1811 design,
ensuring historical continuity.
The 650-acre estate is a blend of
manicured gardens, parkland, and dense forests, offering breathtaking
views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Key features include:
Ancient High Cross and Abbey Wall: Remnants of the Augustinian abbey,
with the High Cross dating from the 5th to 7th centuries, located near
the Camcor River.
Bernard’s Pyramid: A unique Egyptian-style
mausoleum built by the Bernard family, a quirky addition to the grounds.
Motte and Bailey: A remnant of an 11th-century O’Carroll stronghold
behind the castle.
Wooded Ravine and River: The Camcor River and
forested areas provide a serene backdrop, rich with wildlife like deer
and ideal for outdoor pursuits.
The castle’s interior is equally
impressive, with opulent public spaces like the Louis XV-style Drawing
Room, the Georgian-style Slí Dala Restaurant, and the Library Bar,
housing a collection of antique books and journals. The Dungeon Bar,
located in the former basement kitchens, adds a medieval ambiance with
its vaulted ceilings and stone walls.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers 37 distinctively styled en-suite guest
rooms, each preserving the castle’s historical character while providing
modern comforts. Room types include:
Standard and Deluxe Rooms:
Featuring high ceilings, period furniture, and opulent fabrics, with
unique touches like four-poster beds, cast-iron roll-top baths, and
original stone walls. Rooms are named (e.g., Hugh O’Donnell, Geraldine,
Elizabeth) rather than numbered, each with a story detailed in welcome
files.
State Suites: Ideal for special occasions like honeymoons,
offering extra space and luxurious furnishings.
Courtyard Rooms:
Located in converted outbuildings, these provide a slightly more modern
feel while retaining historical charm.
Rooms include flat-screen TVs,
free Wi-Fi, designer toiletries, hairdryers, and room service. Guests
praise the spaciousness, comfortable beds, and authentic ambiance,
though some note the lack of an elevator, which may challenge those with
mobility issues. Maintenance issues, such as outdated bathrooms or minor
wear, have been mentioned in reviews, but recent renovations have
addressed many concerns.
Kinnitty Castle is a full-service resort, offering a range of dining,
recreational, and cultural experiences:
Dining:
Slí Dala
Restaurant: A 60-seat fine-dining venue serving gourmet Irish and
European cuisine, led by Executive Chef Anthony Holland. Open daily from
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, it overlooks manicured gardens and is praised for
its candlelit elegance and excellent wine list.
Library Bar: Offers
light meals, drinks, and an open fire, with a cozy atmosphere and rare
whiskeys, including Kinnitty Castle Spirits.
Dungeon Bar: A unique
basement bar with traditional Irish food, live music, and the castle’s
own whiskey brand. Guests enjoy its atmospheric charm, though some
report average food quality.
Drawing Room: Ideal for afternoon tea or
private dining, with Louis XV-style decor.
Activities:
On-Site: Horseback riding, archery, clay pigeon shooting, tennis,
hiking, and mountain biking (the Slieve Bloom MTB trailhead is on the
grounds). Bike rentals and picnic baskets are available.
Off-Site:
Fishing, canoeing, and golf at nearby Birr or Roscrea Golf Clubs. The
castle organizes horse treks with qualified instructors.
Family-Friendly: A children’s playground, Nintendo Wii, and board games
cater to younger guests.
Wellness: While a spa was once advertised,
recent reviews suggest it is no longer operational. In-room massages can
be arranged through the concierge.
Events: Kinnitty Castle is a
renowned wedding venue, lauded for its fairy-tale setting and dedicated
staff like Ana and Conor. It also hosts corporate retreats, whiskey
tastings, and cultural events, with private dining options for groups.
The castle’s connection to Irish whiskey is notable, with its own
Kinnitty Castle Spirits brand, distilled using traditional methods and
native ingredients. Whiskey tastings celebrate the region’s monastic
distilling heritage.
Kinnitty Castle is a microcosm of Ireland’s complex history,
reflecting Druidic, Christian, Norman, Gaelic, and Anglo-Irish
influences. Its location in Ireland’s Ancient East, near ancient sites
like Clonmacnoise and the Rock of Dunamase, underscores its cultural
importance. The castle’s O’Carroll legacy ties it to both Irish
resistance and American history, while its neo-Gothic design embodies
the 19th-century romantic revival of Ireland’s medieval past.
The
castle’s supernatural reputation adds to its allure. The Phantom Monk,
Hugh, is a frequently sighted ghost, often appearing as a solid figure
or shadowy presence, communicating with staff and guests. The Geraldine
and Elizabeth rooms are reportedly haunted, contributing to the castle’s
mystique as one of Ireland’s most haunted sites. These legends, rooted
in its Druidic and monastic past, draw paranormal enthusiasts and
curious travelers.
Kinnitty Castle’s transformation into a luxury
hotel reflects Ireland’s modern approach to heritage tourism, preserving
historical integrity while offering world-class hospitality. Its central
location, equidistant from Dublin, Limerick, and Galway, makes it an
ideal base for exploring Ireland’s heartlands.
Guests describe Kinnitty Castle as an enchanting retreat, blending
old-world charm with modern comforts. The castle’s serene setting,
surrounded by the Slieve Bloom Mountains, is ideal for relaxation and
outdoor activities. Reviews highlight:
Ambiance: The castle’s
historical features—stone walls, four-poster beds, and open fires—create
a regal, immersive experience. The grounds, with resident deer and a
friendly cat named Bootsie, add to the charm.
Service: Staff are
frequently praised for their warmth and professionalism, particularly
for weddings and events. However, some guests report inconsistent
service or dismissive attitudes from certain staff members.
Dining:
Breakfast, with options like full Irish, continental, and vegan, is
highly rated, as are dinners at Slí Dala. The Dungeon Bar’s atmosphere
is a highlight, though food quality varies.
Activities: The range of
outdoor pursuits, from hiking to clay pigeon shooting, is a draw, though
some guests note limited activities in the nearby village of Kinnitty.
Condition: While most guests appreciate the castle’s authenticity, some
report maintenance issues like mold, threadbare towels, or outdated
fixtures, though renovations since 2015 have improved conditions.
The
castle earns an 8.5/10 rating on Booking.com and 4/5 on Tripadvisor,
with 140 of 212 Expedia reviews rating it “excellent.” Negative feedback
often focuses on high expectations for a castle stay not fully met due
to minor upkeep issues or rural isolation.
Location: Kinnitty Castle Hotel, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland
(Eircode: R42 CY50). It’s 90 minutes from Dublin, Limerick, and Galway,
and 2 hours from Cork, on the R421 between Kinnitty and Cadamstown.
Avoid Slieve Bloom Mountain routes in winter due to narrow roads.
Coordinates: 53.128646, -7.691803.
Access: Check-in is 3:00
PM–midnight; check-out is by noon. Free parking is available off-site.
The castle is 200 ft from Kinnitty Cross and near Bernard’s Pyramid.
Pricing: Rates start at ~$119/night, varying by season (cheapest in low
season, up to 35% less). Check www.kinnittycastlehotel.com for deals.
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping,
concierge, and 2 bars. No pets are allowed, and there’s no elevator.
Nearby Attractions:
Birr Castle Gardens and Telescope (20 min drive):
Home to the historic Leviathan telescope.
Leap Castle (30 min):
Ireland’s most haunted castle, an O’Carroll stronghold.
Clonmacnoise
(1 hr): Ancient monastic site with Celtic crosses.
Tullamore D.E.W.
Heritage Centre (30 min): Whiskey distillery tours.
Slieve Bloom
Mountains: Hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Tips: Book in
advance for weddings or events, as the castle is a popular venue.
Inquire about accessibility needs, as the historic structure lacks an
elevator. Plan transportation for nearby attractions, as Kinnitty
village has limited amenities.