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What Is Clontarf Castle?

Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer

Clontarf Castle is a hotel just outside Dublin, Ireland, which is generally known as a luxury accommodation. There are more than 100 rooms and the facility includes a restaurant and two bars. Located about 2 miles (about 3.2 kilometers) from the center of Dublin, the capitol of Ireland, Clontarf Castle is a historical site. It was built in the 1170s to protect the city, decades after the Battle of Clontarf took place in the area. The building was demolished in the 1830s because the foundation was considered unsafe, but the structure was then rebuilt.

After being passed on to various estates, Clontarf Castle was turned into a cabaret venue in the 1970s, and then a hotel in the 1990s. It was then renovated in the early 2000s, to incorporate the old castle structure with additional wings that include hotel rooms. The facility also includes a bar within the original castle, while a restaurant normally serves European style food and locally harvested seafood. Air conditioning and Internet access is typically available in the rooms, while larger bedrooms are usually available at an additional cost.

In the 2000s, Clontarf Castle was renovated to include a wing with hotel rooms.
In the 2000s, Clontarf Castle was renovated to include a wing with hotel rooms.

In addition to the appeal of staying in castles, there are also rooms for business meetings in Clontarf Castle. Business conferences often take place in hotels and the castle can offer the space for such meetings to be held; multimedia equipment and food service are generally available as well for these events. Several meeting rooms of different sizes are often available, based on the number of attendants at each session.

Clontarf Castle provides the typical services necessary to hold a wedding as well. Despite the surrounding castle walls, receptions can include modern floral designs, lighting, music, and events that can be small or large. The hotel generally offers a wedding package for couples wanting to get married there, which can include assistance in putting together such an event in the castle.

There are generally many British castles to visit. Clontarf Castle, however, can provide both a place to stay and somewhere close to local attractions. Visitors often stay at the hotel for the convenience of playing at one of several golf courses nearby. There is also horse racing, a zoo, and the more private Malahide Castle that can be visited. Getting back and forth from the major airport is usually simple as well, because Dublin’s airport is about 5 miles (about 8 kilometers) away from Clontarf Castle. Public transportation and ferries are normally available to get to the city and major attractions around it.

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    • In the 2000s, Clontarf Castle was renovated to include a wing with hotel rooms.
      By: chungking
      In the 2000s, Clontarf Castle was renovated to include a wing with hotel rooms.