Dublin was taken by force by the Normans in the early 1200s. A guy named Maurice Fitzgerald was instrumental in taking control of the sizable city, as has been documented in a number of historical accounts. He was made the Lord of Maynooth as a token of appreciation. The Fitzgerald Family’s position in society became crucial over the course of the following eight centuries. To construct Carton House, Earl Fitzgerald engaged Richard Castle, a castle architect, in 1739. Apart from that, Richard Morrison, an architect, remodeled the house in 1817. The home was converted into a hotel in 2000. These days, Fairmont, a brand under the prestigious hospitality group Accor, is in charge of its management.

My eyes were drawn to the magnificent architectural elements as soon as I stepped onto the Carton House Estate. A very courteous doorman welcomed me and directed me to the check-in area. This location was quite open, in contrast to a lot of other hotels I’ve gone to. I was welcomed once more, and the check-in procedure started. My inquiries were all addressed in great detail, which made me feel quite welcome. In addition, I was given a pretty comprehensive account of the history of the carton home, which I very much enjoyed.

The Rooms

There are currently 151 rooms in the Garden Wing and 18 state rooms and suites in The House. My room was in the Garden Wing, which was adjacent to the building. The majority of the rooms are located here. The Staterooms and Suits of The House have largely preserved their original Victorian designs. When I initially entered the Garden Wing, I was a little perplexed because the halls and lights were dim, making it difficult to identify my room. When I entered my room, I was pleasantly surprised with the design and the Bluetooth speaker next to the bed! That’s correct. The bluetooth speaker piqued my interest more than anything else, as it meant I was able to listen to music while reading in bed–> what more could you want? Besides the speaker, the room consisted of a desk, two armchairs, a closet and a large bathroom with a bathtub and a rain shower. While seated in my armchair, I was able to look out onto the golf course and enjoy the views of the grounds.

The Restaurants

Before I get started, I would like to state that I only visited The Carriage House, which serves Food such as Burgers and Fries. I arrived quite late and had to decide quickly….so I decided for a Burger. The Carriage House is actually located in the former stable yard and has quite the bar atmosphere. If you are looking for a quick snack or foods such as burgers, steaks and fish & chips this is your place!

If you are looking for fine dining and an experience you will never forget, you should reserve yourself a table at The Morrison Room. You will dine under the lavish ceilings, while enjoying seasonal menus with ingredients of the region. The Morrison Room is also the location for the breakfast and afternoon tea. I personally enjoyed the grand rooms the most, because of the lavish architecture and because of the views of the rose garden. It was an experience that I will never forget.

Besides the Morrison Room and The Carriage House the guests can dine at Kathleen’s Kitchen. It is more or less a rustique Restaurant with lots of varities.

One thing is for certain: The Carton House has options for everyone!

The Grounds

The Carton House is surrounded by two championship golf courses on 1,100 acres. If you enjoy golf, the majestic trees and lush vegetation will make you want to play right away. The courses are a golfer’s paradise and will take your breath away! If you want to do anything else, you can always go for a walk through the rose garden or the golf course. There are two walking pathways that wind across the property. You’ll pass by the boathouse and the River Rye. It’s a beautiful trek that will make you fall in love with the place!

The Spa and Gym

Because many locals utilize the gym and spa, I would recommend that you book specific spa appointments, such as manicures, in advance. I noticed a lot of locals when I was using the gym, sauna, and pool part, which caused the gym to be full at times. Despite the fact that this can be irritating at times, I really appreciated the spa and everything it has to offer. The majority of the facilities were clean and well-kept.

The surrounding area

If you are planing on visiting the Carton House from Dublin, it will take you roughly 45 minutes by car, as the Carton House is located in Maynooth in the County of Kildare. If you’d like to visit the historic town of maynooth it is just a short drive from the Hotel. As stated already, Dublin is not that far away and could be a great option for a day trip.