In 1939, the estate was bought by Noel Huggard,
who transformed it from a sprawling Celtic castle
to a first-class luxury hotel famous for its country
pursuits. But it wasn't until the 1970s, when it
exchanged owners once again, that the Ashford
Castle began taking on the design that we see
today: its new owner, John Mulcahy, not only
oversaw a complete restoration of the building
and its surrounding gardens and grounds, but also
sought to expand it, doubling its size and building
an adjacent golf course. Of course, in a building
as old as the Ashford Castle, restorations are, by
necessity, and ongoing process – the estates
latest owners, Red Carnation Hotels, have also
overseen their own refurbishment project in an
attempt to bring the castle back to its former glory,
while at the same time introducing amenities that
cater to the 21st century needs and tastes of their
high-earning clientele, such as a 30 seat cinema
and a state-of-the-art Spa.
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