Kilkea Castle (Detailed Review)
The final stretch of road leading to Kilkea Castle narrows into an avenue of high, mature trees. It is like a green tunnel where the branches almost touch each other above us. Beyond it, vibrant green fairways lies on either side, with golfers at play across the rolling courses.
I thought I knew what to expect from the photos, but when we crossed the bridge and swung slightly right, the sight of the castle’s grey stones still took our breath away. Ancient and magnificent. It felt as if centuries of stories are ready to embrace us the moment we arrive.
My kids flew out of the car and ran towards to walls. Their fingers traced the soft grooves while their eyes shined bright. Suddenly the castle stopped being imaginary and became something real and touchable. Their excitement, and ours, rose as we wondered when we could start exploring and experience everything the castle had to offer.
Welcome to my review of Kilkea Castle, in County Kildare, Ireland. They hosted me for three days in August 2025. But nobody told me what to write. These are my honest views and the true reflection of my experience. I did not accept any payment in exchange for any coverage.
Introducing Kildare
While the Wicklow Mountains rise to the south of Dublin, County Kildare lies just to the west, an easy, hour-long drive from the capital.
Low, rolling plains and neat demesnes make the area ideal for bloodstock and training. Kildare is one of Ireland’s true horse counties, with more than 160 stud farms and training establishments, including the Irish National Stud, which offers behind-the-scenes tours of a working stud.
The county is also home to the Curragh, Ireland’s largest public training centre, which doubles as a stage for major flat races.
Introducing Kilkea Castle
Kilkea Castle is a restored 12-century medieval stronghold turned into a 140-bedroom hotel, set on hundreds of acres of parkland in the heart of County Kildare. The castle balances its history with modern comfort. From fine dining, thermal spa and elegantly renovated public rooms to contemporary lodges and an 18-hole championship golf course, it offers a place for romantic breaks, family weekends and special events alike.
Kilkea’s history dates back to 1180, when Sir Walter de Riddlesford built the first castle here. It remained in the family for four generations until it went to the Fitzgerald family through marriage. While the castle changed hands several times, eventually it became abandoned until Jay M. and Christy Scott Cashman purchased it in 2013. They lovingly restored the castle to its former glory and reopened it to guests in 2017.
ECO PROFILE – Learn about how Kilkea Castle embraces sustainability
Upon arrival at Kilkea Castle, visitors enter through double iron gates and step into the majestic main tower, where reception awaits. These first steps immediately set the tone for our medieval adventure.
Guests can choose between three room types: Castle Bedrooms, where period details meet modern comfort; Carriage Rooms, offering rustic charm and quiet privacy just a stone’s throw from the castle; or Lodge Rooms, which are spacious and contemporary, with a country-house vibe closer to the restaurant and golf courses.
We stayed in two adjoining Carriage Rooms, one for the kids and one for the parents. Our windows overlooked the courtyard and the towering grey stone walls of the entrance.
Two purple stuffed monkeys were waiting for the kids. With huge eyes, they looked at me and asked, “Why a monkey?” Kilkea Castle, as we later learned, is full of legends and quirky stories. One of them tells how a pet monkey belonging to the Fitzgerald family saved a baby—who would later become the first Earl of Kildare—during a fire. In gratitude, the monkey became part of the family’s crest. If you look closely, you’ll find monkey motifs throughout the estate.
The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and we especially appreciated having a separate bathroom from the kids.
Dining at Kilkea Castle
Kilkea Castle offers four dining venues. Restaurant 1180 serves breakfast with views of the grounds but transforms into a fine-dining destination for dinner. The Bistro is the go-to place for casual lunches. Hermione’s Restaurant opens for dinner, but also hosts afternoon tea on weekends. The Keep is the cosiest place in the castle, serving tea and coffee in the afternoon and beers and ciders in the evening.
Breakfast
Restaurant 1180 is upstairs in the Castle. The best table is, without question, the table at the alcove with its huge windows. If you can, ask for it when you arrive.
At breakfast, we could choose from cold options such as granola, fruit salad, and cold cuts, or hot dishes ranging from porridge and pancakes to just about every style of eggs you could want.
I was not surprised that my kids loved the pancakes. Each morning my husband went for the classic Irish breakfast, while my favorite was the poached eggs on avocado toast.
Lunch
For lunch, The Bistro offers a mix of hearty classics such as seafood chowder, fish and chips, and the castle’s signature burgers, alongside more refined plates like goat’s cheese salad with caramelised walnuts and pickled beetroot or an indulgent Reuben layered with pastrami and sauerkraut.
The Reuben quickly became my husband’s favorite, while I opted for a rich and satisfying club sandwich served on gluten-free bread.
The kids prefer simpler meals, and they were delighted with the rigatoni pasta. Clearing their bowls each time was no hardship.
Dinner
Hermione’s Restaurant, as my daughter sadly discovered, has nothing to do with her favorite character in Harry Potter. It was named after Hermione McDonnell, Countess of Kildare, the wife of Gerald FitzGerald. Nonetheless, she thoroughly enjoyed her dinner every evening we went there.
While both of my girls choose fish and chips, my husband and I tried to explore the more unique dishes. I wholeheartedly recommend the roasted Irish chicken supreme. It was juicy and full of flavor, perfectly balanced by tender broccoli and a creamy fricassee of peas. The smoked bacon added a savory depth, while the crispy kale chips gave just the right crunch. It was a great sensory experience beyond the taste.
My husband found the fish of the day dish equally satisfying. The fish was delicately cooked, served with a bright mix of samphire and asparagus that added freshness and a touch of the sea. Roasted fennel brought a subtle sweetness, while a garnish of trout caviar gave the plate a luxurious finish.
For dessert, my girls and I sampled the chocolate mousse, the meringue roulade with lemon curd, and the strawberry Eton Mess, though it appeared on the menu under a different name. We all agreed that the clear winner was the latter.
Activities
Living in a castle is more than gazing out the windows or strolling the grounds. To truly feel like an earl or a countess, join in the activities that can transport you back a few centuries.
Since early 2025, Kilkea Castle has put a special focus on creating authentic guest experiences, led by Jack Fitzsimmons, their newly appointed Director of Experience. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to book some the activities he curated. Start with falconry. I’ll tell you why next.
Falconry
What started as childhood wonder has since grown into a lifelong passion and a wealth of expertise, a glimpse of which he now shares with guests through an unforgettable falconry experience at Kilkea Castle.
As we walked toward a small pasture just outside the castle, our excitement grew with every step. Tom was waiting for us with five birds of prey, ready to meet us.
First, we were introduced to Sal, a Little Owl. This tiny creature, with her striking yellow eyes, met our gaze with equal curiosity. She felt almost weightless in our hands, leaning into our touch as we reached for her feathers.
My daughter’s favorite was Ghost, a White Owl with obsidian-black eyes and unbelievably soft feathers. Tom explained that night hunters have dark eyes, and that Ghost must fly in complete silence to catch her prey, hence the delicate softness of her feathers.
The African Forest Owl, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Hawk were different from the first two playful owls. They were more majestic, commanding authority. These were not birds to pet, but to admire and study their unique details from a bit further.
One of the highlights of the falconry experience was flying the hawk. The bird launched from a wooden post, landed on our hands, and then swept back toward Tom. As it passed, my husband—crouched with the camera in front of him—felt the gentle brush of its wings while capturing it all on video. You can see the slow motion video on my Instagram.
Next, Tom had my daughter and me hold hands to form a wide circle, and the hawk effortlessly flew through it, without so much as brushing us or stirring a breeze. It was a jaw-dropping and humble experience for the both of us that we will never forget.
Archery
Kilkea Castle has both an archery range and an air rifle lane side by side, but we unanimously voted for archery. With bows in hand, we lined up on the range, aiming at brightly colored targets. They started close, but as our confidence grew, the targets were pushed farther and farther away.
The instructor patiently guided us through posture and technique, making sure we not only hit the target but enjoyed the experience thoroughly. Soon the satisfying thwack of arrows striking the board echoed through the lane. All four of us—even our youngest at just seven years old—managed to hit the board.
It was equal parts focus, fun, and a touch of medieval role-play. However, we were glad that there is no need to rely on bows and arrows today. Admittedly, an intruder would likely escape if we are tasked to defend this castle.
Escape rooms
Kilkea Castle also offers themed escape rooms, two darker dungeon-style rooms and one inspired by polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who once lived nearby.
We suspected, and the staff also confirmed, that the dungeon-themed escape room might be too frightening for younger children. Instead, we chose the Shackleton escape room as the more family-friendly option, and it turned out to be immense fun for all four of us.
There were puzzles to solve, keys to find, and locks to open. At the start, all of us dashed around touching everything to see what would move or open. Some codes were tricky, while others the kids cracked with ease. By the end of the hour, we were within reach of the final key. We could almost feel it in our hands. But with one wrong move, the ball rolled the other way, and the last key slipped just out of reach.
However, we all agreed that we spent an hour working side by side, helping each other, and that the small victories along the way made it just as rewarding as escaping.
Fly fishing
Our fly-fishing session began in a downpour, but we decided to stay and give it a try. And it was the good decision since luckily the rain stopped after ten minutes, leaving us an hour to fish in peace.
None of us had tried fly fishing before. My husband’s father is a hobby fisherman, and we’ve learned a lot from him, but that’s more about line, hook, and catch. Fly fishing was a new territory, one we were eager to give it a try.
Johannes, our guide patiently showed us the technique, and soon each of our daughters managed to catch a trout. They were clapping and jumping with joy every time they reeled one in. I, on the other hand, turned out to be much better at fishing for tree branches. My husband only landed his first fish in the very last minute.
We were wet, but we laughed and had so much fun. I was especially glad this experience was catch and release. I had no desire to cook the fish, take it home, or catch it only for it to die. The kids were also happy they got to release all fish back to the lake.
Best time to visit
Summer: Summer is high season for good reason. Its warm days and long evenings make the castle gardens and terrace irresistible for lingering over a long lunch or a cold drink. It is the best time to take slow walks across the 180-acre demesne, try a round on the 18-hole course, book an hour on the tennis court, or saddle up for one of the equestrian excursions.
Autumn: The Emerald Isle starts to trade its summer green for gold and russet when the light turns honeyed and low. When the showers become more frequent, enjoy the afternoon tea at the castle’s drawing room, cozy up to the fire place by the entrance, or book the thermal suite in the spa all to yourself. Many activities are indoors such as the genealogy, the escape rooms, the archery range and the air rifle lanes.
Winter: Kilkea at Christmas welcomes visitors with special festive packages. It’s time for restorative breaks with spa treatments, mulled wine and festive dinners and live music at the Keep Bar. Places for December often sell out fast.
Spring: Spring is when lawns green up, blossom appears and the estate wakes from its slumber. It is the perfect season for quiet walks in Mullaghreelan Wood, early-season golf and fresh-menu dining. The weather can change fast, so bring layers, but expect more and more clear days. If you are out in the town shopping or strolling, stop by the 9th-century old Moone High Cross Inn, an authentic Irish Pub only a mile away.
Practical note: whatever season you pick, check Kilkea’s website and book key experiences ahead of time.
How to get there
If you are coming from the U.S., there are three airports in Ireland you can choose from.
The easiest and most convenient would be Dublin Airport (DUB) since it offers the widest selection of direct transatlantic flights. Kilkea Castle is roughly one hour by car from the airport.
Cork Airport (ORK) is a practical alternative if you find a convenient connection. However, it is roughly 2–2½ hours’ drive to Kilkea depending on traffic.
Shannon Airport (SNN) can also work, especially for certain European connections. However, it will also take 2–2½ hours by road to get to the castle.
Renting a car at the airport gives you the most flexibility to explore County Kildare and the surrounding countryside at your own pace. If you’d rather not drive, book a private transfer or taxi in advance or ask the hotel to arrange for a pickup.
Final thoughts
Kilkea Castle’s magic lies in its blend of medieval character, modern comfort and hands-on experiences.
It is a place where families can spend quality time together and create lasting memories. From falconry and archery to fly fishing and escape rooms, each activity brings the estate’s history to life in its own way. And every one of them is equally memorable.
We left content, knowing we had stayed in a place that holds a little piece of Ireland’s past. If you are looking for more than just a castle stay, Kilkea Castle will more than deliver.
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.