Ashford Castle: Crown Jewel of the Emerald Island

People often ask, "What was your favorite part of your trip?" It's a difficult question. Pinpointing one specific highlight and ranking it against the others can be nearly impossible, especially on longer trips that consist of a variety of activities and settings that can't be fairly compared.

That said, when people ask me, "What was your favorite place that you stayed in Ireland?" I have no hesitation in my response––even though I was lucky enough to stay at a wide variety of world-class resorts, including a 5-star hotel in beautiful County Wicklow, a 500-year-old baronial castle, and a resort on the Ring of Kerry with a view of the ocean.

The favorite place I stayed in Ireland was the Ashford Castle near the quiet village of Cong. As much as my wife and I loved every place we stayed on the Emerald Island, Ashford Castle was, without question, the crown jewel.

The 800-year-old castle, built on the shores of Lough Corrib in Ireland's wildly untamed Connemara region, was once the proud estate of the Guinness family. Yes, that Guinness family––who, as you would expect–– had perhaps the finest estate in all of Ireland. The view across the famous lake has not changed since Sir Benjamin lee Guinness himself lived at Ashford, and all of the castle's 83 rooms retain their original features.

The room my wife and I stayed in offered a stunning view of the 44,000-acre lake, home to some 365 islands.

As gorgeous as the grounds were––the castle is caressed by formal gardens, and hundreds of Oak, Beech and Chestnut trees have been re-planted––it was difficult to pull ourselves out from within the castle walls that first afternoon. Ashford Castle is just too magical. Original architecture is still in-tact, ranging from massive fireplaces to Waterford chandeliers to Roccoco gilt mirrors.

The Drawing Room was spectacular, with live music entertaining at night and views of the perfectly manicured back-lawn, magnificent fountain and opening bay of Lough Corrib delighting by day. As we lounged in the Drawing Room and listened to the lovely piano music we wondered: Who else may have sat in these antique chairs?

Choices include the Emperor of India, Britain's King George V, President Ronald Reagan, Senator Ted Kennedy, Oscar Wild, John Lennon, George Harrison, Brad Pitt, Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne, all of whom have stayed at Ashford. In fact, the Duke (by whom I mean John Wayne, not some British royalty) stayed at Ashford when he filmed the movie "The Quiet Man."

Many of the movie's action sequences were filmed on Ashford's estate, and you can walk from the castle to the very waters where the priest in "The Quiet Man" hooked the monstrous salmon he'd been trying to catch for 10 years. That's not the only reason I was excited to bring my rod and ply the waters at Ashford––many of the largest pike in Fred Buller's famous book, "The Doomsday Book of Mammoth Pike," were caught on Lough Corrib.

There is also the Cong River, an excellent trout and salmon stream, which dumps into the lake outside the castle's front door, creating a picture-perfect moment of a fairy-tale like bridge leading to the castle's grand entrance. "We call that the 'Oh-My-God!' corner," says Ashford's Molly Leibowitz. "That last bend always surprises guests, when you come around the corner and suddenly this majestic castle comes into view as though sitting on the side of the lake."

That final stretch of river is not just scenic, though; it's a terrific spot to cast for salmon when they're running in May. I have to admit, I did catch myself distracted on several casts––not paying my silver spoon its due attention as my eyes studies the castle in front me. The castle's ghillie, Frank Costello, is an Orvis-endorsed guide who grew up on Lough Corrib and doesn't let his international reputation go to his head. Ashford's concierge called him for me at 6:30pm and he kindly offered me tips over the phone. I took notes dutifully, knowing that last year Costello caught a brown trout from the lake that topped the scales at over 13 pounds.

Costello and the concierge's help that evening was typical of the service at Ashford. "What makes Ashford special are the wonderful people who work here," said Paula Carroll, Ashford Castle's Senior Manager. "Over 40 percent of the staff have in excess of 20 years of service here, and 55 percent have more than 15 years. That's why clients feel like they are coming and being welcomed home."

A perfect example is the family who has visited Ashford every Christmas for the past 18 years. They leave all their decorations at Ashford, and the staff decorates their room for them every year before they arrive, so when they walk into their room it's completely decorated with all their family decorations.

With such service to complement such a breathtaking setting, it's clear why Ashford was voted #1 Best Resort Hotel in Europe by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2010.

Or, for that matter, why my answer is so easy when people ask me, "What was your favorite part of Ireland?"

Ashford Castle's website is www.ashfordcastle.ie. For more information, email ashford@ashford.ie or call 1.800.346.7007.

Ashford Castle also offers golf, falconry, boating, biking, indepedent and guided fishing, horseback riding, archery and clay shooting.