Kilkea Castle pairs medieval splendour with modern chic, styled in smart whites, golds, blues and greys beneath high, beamed ceilings and mullion windows. The 12th-century stone exterior, with turrets and crenellations, sets the mood as gardens and woodland unfurl across a sweeping 180-acre estate. Days can move from a mindful spa circuit of warm, hot, and cold experiences to a round on the 18-hole championship parkland course shaped by the River Griese.
Signature dining in the castle
Restaurant 1180 pairs seasonal Irish produce with a regal, historic setting.
Thermal-suite spa ritual
Move through wet and dry heat, showers, and an ice bucket to reset.
Archery on the estate
Hotel residents can train precision shooting with an expert instructor.
Located in Kilkea, Kilkea Castle is in the historical district and on a river. Athy Heritage Centre-Museum and Delta Sensory Gardens are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Carlow Town Park and Ballintubbert Gardens. Stradbally Steam Museum and Stradbally Woodland Railway are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding. Visit our Kilkea travel guide
Take advantage of a golf course, a free daily manager's reception, and a terrace at Kilkea Castle. Treat yourself to a manicure/pedicure, a massage, or a body wrap at the onsite spa. Be sure to enjoy a meal at the two on-site restaurants. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a coffee shop/cafe and a garden.
Other perks include:
Free self parking
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and concierge services
Coffee/tea in the lobby, barbecue grills, and massage treatment rooms
Guest reviews give top marks for the breakfast and helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as bathrobes, in addition to thoughtful touches like free WiFi and safes.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
Bathrooms with rainfall showers and designer toiletries
Flat-screen TVs with premium channels
Wardrobes/closets, electric kettles, and heating
Awards and affiliations
The property is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee: EUR 15 for adults and EUR 7.50 for children
2 bars/lounges
2 restaurants
A coffee shop/cafe
Coffee and tea in common areas
Free daily manager's reception
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
18-hole golf course
Archery
Full-service spa
Family friendly
Snack bar/deli
Soundproofed rooms
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Vending machine
Guest services
Concierge services
Housekeeping (daily)
Wedding services
Business services
2 meeting rooms
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
On a river
Picnic area
Terrace
Full-service spa
3 treatment rooms
Body scrubs
Body wraps
Deep-tissue massages
Facials
Hot stone massages
Hydrotherapy
Manicures/pedicures
Prenatal massages
Spa open daily
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Elevator
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
3 floors
Banquet hall
Built in 1180
Fireplace in lobby
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Bathrobes
Designer toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
Shower
Slippers
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV with premium channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
More
Access via exterior corridors
Desk
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Safe
Soundproofed rooms
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 11 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately EUR 15.00 for adults and EUR 7.50 for children
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
Reservations are required for golf tee times, massage services, and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Property class
This property does not have a Ireland Tourist Board rating. For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kilkea Castle pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Kilkea Castle?
As of Oct 19, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Kilkea Castle on Nov 9, 2026 start from $201, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Self parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Kilkea Castle?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Kilkea Castle?
Check-out is at 11 AM.
Does Kilkea Castle provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle.
Where is Kilkea Castle located?
Situated near the airport, this luxury castle is steps from Kilkea Castle, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Athy Heritage Centre-Museum and Carlow Golf Club. Athy Par 3 Golf Course and Delta Sensory Gardens are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Kilkea Castle Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Amazing stay, lovely property. Carriage house rooms spacious and comfortable. Enjoyable staff. Grounds were beautiful. Enjoyed the thermal spa and delicious food.
This was the most wonderful experience staying at Kilkea Castle. The property is steeped in history and was incredibly interesting to read about. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the food was delicious, with some tasty variations on traditional Irish breads with soups. Breakfast was ordered from a menu rather than buffet style. We had a memorable experience and loved every minute!
It’s more picture perfect than the photos! We had a photographer meet us and the castle staff was incredible, allowing us to shoot the most amazing pictures. Great experience and amazing people!
Really enjoyed everything about our stay. The staff at the castle and at Hermione’s restaurant were friendly and helpful, the food was brilliant, the room wasspacious and the bed was comfy, the spa was very relaxing… no complaints and would definitely stay again.
Wonderful stay, but we only had a night. Delicious breakfast and we enjoyed walking around the historical cemetery and the little brook and gardens, even though it was a rainy March day! Highly recommend
This is a beautiful property. We had a carriage room and it was clean, luxurious, and comfortable. Drinks in the bar inside the castle were delicious. As was dinner in Hermione's and breakfast the next morning in the Castle. I would like to have stayed longer to see more of the area.
This property upon entering and driving up to the grounds, which are beyond gorgeous and nothing short of a fairytale was breathtaking, our warm welcome we received as well as our dinner experience which were all perfect. Our waiter Emmet was so charming and delightful and the Bartender Andrew with a local named Edward were so nice to us, they were a treat to talk to. Breakfast staff was also friendly and helped answer questions we had about the castle and area. the carriage house rooms were clean and lovely and very comfortable.
We so enjoyed our Archery lesson with Natasha who was so friendly and fun at the Activities center. We only wish we could have stayed longer. We enjoyed every minute of our stay at Kilkea Castle, and the Kildare area. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Clare
Nov 26, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful hotel, staff couldnt have been nicer. Food delicious.
Accommodation was lovely but we were in the Courtyard rooms and walls were paper thin. Could hear every conversation next door, which really impacted our stay in a negative way. Staff were nice and hotel itself has been expertly refurbished. Food was very good but could be elevated to make it really amazing.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Jeremiah
Jan 26, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Everyone welcome from the front desk down to the waiters this morning. I had a wonderful breakfast. We host for breakfast was out of the world. She answer questions about the castle.
It's definitely a unique experience staying in the Luxury Castle rooms. The staff were attentive, the food was overall really good, and the Thermal Spa experience was a nice addition to our stay.
I would absolutely recommend to stay at Kilkea Castle for at least 2 nights.
Beautiful castle. We loved staying here. The grounds around the castle were beautiful. The dining options were good. Staff was nice. We absolutely recommend.
Kilkea castle and grounds are spectacular. The staff are friendly and extremely helpful. The room is comfortable and the bathroom is spacious. The food at the restaurant is delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.