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For more than 250 years, Carton House has been the finest Georgian estate in Ireland. Now, after a two-year, multimillion-euro total renovation of the original house, surrounding hotel and stunning grounds and parkland, it has reopened as part of the Fairmont Hotels portfolio.

Situated in Maynooth, County Kildare, Carton House was once the ancestral home of the Earls of Kildare and the Dukes of Leinster. This walled garden Fairmont estate is surrounded by 1,100 acres of sweeping parkland, ancient woodlands, lakes, and the River Rye and stands as one of Ireland’s most historic country houses.

Martin Mangan, General Manager of Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, is looking forward to welcoming international guests to the hotel for the estate’s first summer after such a magnificent refurbishment. “Following our domestic re-opening last month, the entire estate could not look more wonderful, and it’s a credit to the owners and to the teams of craftspeople and specialists who have been working to such a high standard for almost two years to bring this important country house back to its original glory. Myself and all the team at Carton House are thrilled to be opening the doors to our international guests, inviting travellers to experience this historic property as it was meant to be experienced. It truly is an extraordinary house to call home this year.”

This is your opportunity to be quite the lord or lady of the manor and experience this spectacular renovation at first-hand and the many new experiences offered within the ancient walls. Whether that’s a tutored wine tasting; a dinner in the cosy and atmospheric setting of Kathleen’s Kitchen, set in the old servants’ kitchens of Carton House; or a delicious picnic basket to enjoy in the resort’s idyllic gardens, parklands and grounds, there are countless treats and treasures to choose from when you stay at Carton House.

You might select a guided whiskey tasting in the cosy book-lined Whiskey Library with its encyclopaedic selection of the world’s finest uisce beatha. Or indulge in Afternoon Tea, seated in one of the beautifully restored grand and imposing rooms in The House with their fascinating history — the stunning Gold Salon, the Drawing Room, the serene Rose Room, the Bell Room — rooms that originally would have entertained aristocratic visitors to Carton House, and take in the same views that have captivated visitors for over 250 years. Have a long-overdue catch-up over light bites and cocktails with family and friends this summer on the outdoor terrace of The Courtyard Bar or have dinner in the impressive surrounds of The Morrison Room — a breath-taking space, The Morrison Room opens today as one of this country’s grandest dining rooms. Luxurious and rejuvenating treatments can be booked in the Carton House Spa & Wellness, a sensory indulgence like no other.

Carton House is home to two championship eighteen-hole golf courses, the challenging links-like course designed by Colin Montgomerie, host to the Irish Open three times, and the classic parkland course designed by Mark O’Meara.

The House is the breath-taking focal feature of a spectacular 1,100-acre estate, the epitome of grandeur and history. Explore the grounds on foot or by bike, following the cycle and walking trails, or enjoy the outdoors by choosing from a wealth of resort activities, from tennis and fishing to horse riding, archery and clay pigeon shooting.

One of Ireland’s most historic country houses, built originally as the home of the influential and aristocratic FitzGerald family, and now in the proud ownership of the American-Irish Mullen family, Carton House is now A Fairmont Managed Hotel. This impressive next chapter as a Fairmont property sees Carton House join the more than 80 Fairmont hotels around the globe as the oldest property in a collection famed for its grande dame hotels, including the iconic Savoy in London and Plaza in New York City.

Sensitively blending past and present, this renovation of Carton House has renewed the beauty of the estate for generations to come. The spectacular 18th century Palladian-style mansion, The House, is at the heart of the estate and will now be the centre of every guest experience today. The remarkably handsome series of grand and imposing rooms in The House with their fascinating history are now beautifully restored and part of the daily rituals of Carton House life and at the heart of each guest’s experience.

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Luxury hotel experience in Ireland