Whilst touring the Irish country I note a green ziggurat covered with grass as if pushed up from the depths and into the sky. The 1st mottes were more defensive in nature. Castles were the commercial and administrative and social centers for the feudal society. Some nobles still live in castles, trapped by servants, or they are turned into five star hotels or visitor attractions with Medieval parties. The four-hundred-year-old castle is more of a Baronial home than a castle and it never was employed as a defensive castle. The hotel has a commanding view overlooking the Village of Clifden, at the head of a superb bay, with mountains behind. Hotel westbury dublin. Gourmet cuisine with Steinway playing in the background. The most romantic rooms are the superior twin or double. At the end of the day unwind by a log fire and enjoy a gourmet meal by candlelight. The 6 course dinner winds down after round after round of fine wine ( the castle has its own sommelier ) from the castle’s intensive wine basement ( try the vintage cognacs and ports ), and the puddings should be considered aperitifs. I sip a Jameson Irish whiskey on the rocks as a handsome spun gold Rapunzel-haired Irish balladeer sings and strums a guitar in the background as if she were a soundtrack to a Gothic love novel. I do not need to drop the drawbridge to get to my luxury luxury room overlooking the grounds ; nearby is the 300-year-old stone Walled Garden that is used for special events,eg marriages. I look for the ironing board, and it drops down off the side of the armoire.

Tagged: on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 · 1 Comment »