My Turquoise Bag

Twelfth century castle turned into a 21st century luxury hotel, Clontarf Castle was an elegant and romantic choice for experiencing Medieval flare during our time in Dublin.

We had the privilege of being there twice. The first visit was for our anniversary dinner at the beginning of our trip. The second visit was for our last sleep in Ireland.

Conveniently located just a 20 minute drive to Dublin Airport, this was a lavish little treat to wrap up our trip.

For me, it was the lobby that triggered a daydream wonder of “what once was”.

Traces of the original castle were preserved, and I couldn’t help but touch the walls. Did the bricklayer know his work was going to stand for twelve centuries?

Tudor-style mahogany and the sharpness of Knights’ armour were softened by yards of silk and tapestry hanging from the ancient walls. Purple velvets and a grand fireplace welcomed a seating area for guests. A turquoise balcony sparked a fairytale scene.

“Dinner at a castle” was the goal I was going for when planning our anniversary dinner.

We had a delectable three course dinner at Farenheit, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. After our meal, the staff surprised us with a sweet gesture: champagne and a cheese plate.

The Knights Bar was our hangout spot during our second visit at the castle.

The grandness of the Tudor details ironically felt cozy. Sitting under the archways and ornate ceilings sparked daydream of a past era, as we sipped our last Guinness by a stunning stone fireplace.

In the evening, Clontarf’s lobby atmosphere shifted to Medieval romance with lit candles on a piano and chandeliers twinkling above our heads.

Modern amenities provided comfort and Baroque patterns evoked whimsy in our Boutique Queen Room.

A nod to Bram Stoker’s Dracula was scattered through the hotel’s branding. The childhood home of this world-famous author was just down the street from the castle.

We’re glad that we carved out intentional time to briefly step away from Dublin’s city centres to spend some secluded and wistful moments at Clontarf.

After all, it’s not every day that we dine and sleep in castle.

💚