fed in accordance with any Irish mother's
demands. Sipping coffee and enjoying the
spoils of Lady Ardilaun's Breakfast Buffet,
there is a sense in the room that you should
slow down and relax. After breakfast,
guests start to mill about in the lobby
area obviously waiting for something to
happen. As the chatter among friends and
families fills the air there is an obvious
change to the atmosphere when on cue
two Irish Wolfhounds, Cronin and Garvin,
enter the room. These dogs visit the castle
every morning between 10 and 11 a.m.,
ready for the onslaught of affection that
ensues. Ashford Castle is so keen to ensure
the satisfaction of its guests that family
dogs are also allowed to stay.
Unsurprisingly, the weather forecast
played havoc with our plans to rent
bicycles in order to take in the grounds but
our plans were not thwarted too much as
we booked to have a driven tour instead.
It is not just a resplendent night away
that Ashford Castle offers. The castle
itself is steeped in history and has also
played host to one of Ireland's most iconic
