Huntington Castle

Walking into the courtyard here, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by the iridescent plumage of a peacock’s tail in full fan. This is not your run-of-the-mill Irish castle – it’s eccentric, unique and utterly charming. Set within an idyllic location in the tiny riverside village of Clonegal, County Carlow, Huntington was built in 1625 as a garrison and is now privately owned by the descendants of the original family. A tour of the interior will bring you to the beautiful tapestry room, the elegant conservatory draped with grape vines and the Temple of the Goddess Isis – a truly beguiling and unusual basement temple from the 1970s.

In the gardens outside, you’ll find an Italian parterre and a yew walk, but one of the most attractive parts of the estate is the water gardens, which were laid out in the 1680s and feature a pond and lake. Take your time here and slow down to enjoy the graceful layout and delicate scents… It’s a delightful space. And if you feel like Huntington has stolen a piece of your heart and you don’t want to leave, then don’t… The castle offers luxury B&B accommodation in the castle rooms, with four-poster beds, original fireplaces and garden views.