Historic Hotels in Ashbourne

Set amidst the rich history of Ireland, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa has a storied past that dates back to the times of The Butlers of Dunboyne. The original castle, which served as their residence, was destroyed during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland due to the family's steadfast refusal to convert to Protestantism. In its place, a stately Georgian house was constructed in 1764 under the watchful eye of Drogheda architect George Darley. The structure boasts exquisite ornamental stucco plasterwork by the renowned Lafranchini Brothers, with the ceiling over the staircase depicting the four elements central to life during that period—War, Music, Education, and Love.

The last of the Butlers to call the castle home was the 22nd Baron of Dunboyne, John Butler, who was also the Catholic Bishop of Cork. Over the years, ownership of the castle passed through various families, including the Butler-O’Briens, Sadliers, Morrough-Ryans, and Watchmans. In 1955, the Good Shepherd Sisters took up residence until 1991 when the Keating family acquired the property. The Ross family then purchased the castle in 1999 and embarked on an ambitious restoration project. Led by Seamus Ross, they transformed the castle into the luxurious Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, which opened its doors in 2006. In December 2022, Mr. Thomas Röggla added the hotel to his prestigious TMR Hotel Collection, which includes esteemed properties such as Farnham Estate Spa & Golf Resort, Harvey’s Point, Mount Wolseley, Aghadoe Heights, and the Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort.

Bellinter House is a Georgian mansion that was initially built at around 1750 and was used primarily as a residence. The property has changed many owners since then, until it was refurbished and adapted to become the luxurious boutique-style hotel that it is today.

12th century original castle.

The history of the building where the hotel is housed today dates back to the 1800s. Before it was turned into the elegant Buswells Hotel, it used to be an Institute for the Training and Employment of Educated Women, supported by the Queen in 1861. Offering a wide array of practical classes for women, the institute worked for 20 years before closing down. It was first turned into a hotel in the early 1880s, and, while it changed names and owners since then, it has continued to offer the highest quality of accommodation to all its guests.

The hotel stands in the centre of Ireland's capital for almost 200 years. It is ideally located close to Dublin's cultural and historic buildings, as long as to the shopping areas.