This majestic 5* retreat was built in 1728 and designed by Sir Edwards Lovett Pearce in a Palladian style with a red brick façade. It later became home to high-ranking clergy and then played a part in the history of Guinness, yes, the black stuff! Lord Brocket purchased the property in 1959 and turned it into a luxury hotel with a guest list from the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy to Princess Diana to name a few.
The property is now under the ownership of the thoroughbred champion horse breeders, the Magnier family, who have lovingly restored, repaired, and replaced where necessary and in the process have been safeguarding the future. Adding a new wing to the property with NZEB specs, using renewable energy sources and replacing original lighting with LED and having found an antique well whilst refurbishing, this is now used this to supply the waste composter and kitchen gardens. The gardens are part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Programme and yes they have their own honey.
Guests are welcomed the moment they step foot through the front door and treated to first class service. They even have an equine concierge! With warm open fires, lit daily against the black Kilkenny marble mantelpieces, and with wall-to-wall art from many famous names which are mostly copies of those in the owner’s private collection. There are a few originals on the walls but hung well out of reach. With the interiors designed by Emma Pearson, this cosy ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable stay. It is a sanctuary where you can unwind in the spa, immerse yourself in Celtic history or simply enjoy the enchantment of the English style gardens in Tipperary’s Golden Vale of rich and fertile land.
Photos courtesy of Cashel Palace Hotel
With 42 bedrooms and suites each individually designed with the promise of rest and relaxation whilst indulging in the finer things in life and breath-taking views of the Rock. The rooms come with heavy curtains and pelmets, some with the black marble fireplaces and large framed mirrors and then others are elegantly modern furnished. Decorated in blush pink, high ceilings, original cornicing, large windows, period-appropriate furnishings, and original artwork. A sitting area with a window nook and grand writing bureau. All bathrooms are marble with a bathtub and/or walk-in shower, TV, free Wi-Fi, mini larder, Melitta coffee system with local Ponaire coffee, tea-making kit, desk, bathrobes and slippers, air-conditioning and Memo Paris bath products.
The Spa sits on the edge of the gardens overlooking a centuries old Mulberry tree which was planted to mark Queen Anne’s Coronation. With a 17-metre heated indoor-outdoor pool, a thermal suite and treatments such as hand harvested Atlantic seaweed wrap, an Irish peat bog mud bath to a river stones massages using products from Bamford, Voya and Skin by Olga.
Breakfast and afternoon tea are taken in the cream-walled room named after the monarch, where local produce are the mainstay of the menu. The Bishop’s Buttery, awarded a Michelin star in February 2024, offers a fine-dining contemporary Irish cuisine with much of the produce sourced from farmers, growers and artisanal food producers in Tipperary nearly all within the county boarders and are part of a sustainable initiative from Ireland’s Food and Horticulture Agency. Greenhouse produce comes from the owner’s stud farm, herbs and greens are grown in a hyper local, pesticide-free vertical farm in Ballyporeen.
With its gardens revamped by the landscape architects del Buono Gazerwitz, they have incorporated the hop garden. In 1740 Richard Guinness was a land agent and because of his role at Cashel Palace grew hops to make his own ale. His son Arthur inherited money from the Palace and went on to create a world-famous brewery. In honour of this fact there is a “Guinness Bar” at the property.
In essence, Cashel Palace Hotels combines elegance, comfort, and culinary excellence in making it an ideal choice for a magical retreat in Ireland.