Ireland’s iconic estate unveils a curated selection of seasonal immersive experiences
FROM PLANT TO PLATE WITH THE CRÉ KITCHEN GARDEN EXPERIENCE
Guests will enjoy a delicious fresh salad, followed by a seasonal risotto and to finish, a selection of locally sourced cheeses, and homemade crackers, served with preserves made from produce grown on the estate grounds. A unique chance to enjoy the best seasonal, sustainable produce sourced just yards from guests’ rooms in the company of some of the finest gardeners and chefs in the country, this experiential tour is rooted in nature, fostering a profound appreciation for food provenance.
Cré, meaning soil or earth, represents the rich foundation on which the estate’s kitchen gardens are built. Lead by estate gardeners, Alex Lavarde and Niamh Flannelly, Executive Head Chef, Liam Finnegan and Senior Sous Chef, Hilary Casey, the Cré tour will teach guests about nature, seasonality, the estate’s commitment to organic cultivation through its ‘ no dig, no chemical philosophy ’, as well as its commitment to enhancing and protecting biodiversity in the local area. Guests will discover, delight, and learn through this one-of-a-kind experience that showcases the vital role of food for a memorable holiday.
This experience showcases the symbiotic relationship between gardener and chef as they work together to create next year’s menus from the seeds of this year’s harvest. Availability & Booking Available from June to October, the ‘Cré: Kitchen Garden Experience ’ lasts approximately 3.5hrs hours for groups of up to six people.
Priced from €2500.00 (approx USD 2,700) for 2 people and €250.00 (approx USD 270) per person thereafter to a maximum of 6 people, advance booking is required and is subject to availability.
EXPLOREIRELAND’SRUGGESTLANDSCAPESWITHA ROADTRIPALONGTHEWILDATLANTICWAY The Wild Atlantic Way is a world-famous coastal route that spans the west coast of Ireland taking in some breathtaking scenery along the way. In celebration of the iconic route ’s 10th anniversary, Ashford Castle has curated an exclusive experience for guests to trace the rugged contours of Ireland’s western coast, from the comfort of a chauffeur-driven car. From charming coastal villages to ancient ruins steeped in history, the seven-hour experience will take guests on a guided adventure to Lough Nafooey, Killary Fjord, Kylemore Abbey and Sky Road. During the stay, guests will also get to experience a traditional Sheepdog demonstration in the breathtaking hills of Connemara.
This unique experience is inclusive of a three-night stay (B&B) at Ashford Castle, one evening meal at the luxurious George V Dining Room and a historic boat cruise around the estate’s stunning Lough Corrib, as well as complimentary experiences including guided morning walks throughout the grounds, nightly movies in the cinema, access to the state-of-the-art Éalú wellness center and complimentary green fees for the 9-hole golf course.
Availability & Booking The Wild Atlantic Way experience is subject to three-night availability at Ashford Castle. Rates at Ashford Castle start at €475.00 (approx USD 510) per night B&B including VAT and breakfast.
BLAS-ANEPICURE AN ADVENTURE
Blas is a brand-new and completely private gourmet experience for guests that explores the art and science of food and wine pairing and creates a feast for the senses. Blas in Irish is both a verb meaning to taste or to savour, and a noun meaning flavour. It captures perfectly this tasting experience of wine and food and how central flavour is to the food and beverage culture at the castle.
Afterwards, guests will be escorted to Stanley ’s where the experience continues under the expert guidance of Executive Head Chef, Liam Finnegan, who will cook a delicious starter, fish course and main course right in front of guests.
Each dish will include seasonal ingredients which were grown on the estate grounds by Garden Manager, Alex Lavarde, and his team, in close collaboration with Chef Liam. The flavours of Ashford Castle’s kitchen gardens will be paired with locally sourced produce, creating something truly special for guests to enjoy. Each course will be paired with a wine selected by the hotel’s head sommelier who will explain the taste profiles of each wine and how it enhances the flavours of the dish. As the evening draws to a close, guests will enjoy a decadent chocolate experience led by Paula Stakelum, Director of Chocolate and Pâtisserie. A palate-cleansing sorbet and chocolate creation will be prepared in situ, using seasonal flavours from the estate’s kitchen gardens. Guests will also hear from Paula about the passion and craftsmanship of the hotel’s chocolate brand, Paula Pastry, and learn about the inspiration driving her chocolate creations.
The Blas experience is seasonal – the menu and wine pairing will change four times in the year to match the produce in season. Availability & Booking The Blas Experience at Ashford Castle lasts for 3 hours and has a maximum capacity of 8 people. Cost: €2,500.00 (approx $2,685 USD) based on two people and €500 per person thereafter. Subject to availability.
THE ART OF CHOCOLATE MAKING WITH PAULA PASTRY Indulge in a chocolate experience at Stanley’s with Paula Pastry, Red Carnation’s Global Director of Chocolate and Pâtisserie. Featuring live[1]plated chocolate creations with estate-sourced seasonal ingredients and foraged delights, this experience is perfect for chocolate lovers. Paula Pastry will guide guests through a chocolate journey, where they can make their own chocolate bars, using the castle’s signature blend of chocolate, ‘Legend’ , from their exclusive partnership with Valrhona Chocolate. Live-plated chocolate creations feature seasonal ingredients sourced from the estate or Kitchen Garden. A pre-dessert palate cleanser will prepare guests for the main dessert, which includes foraged ingredients like wood sorrel, crab apples, woodruff, pine tips, blackberries, wild strawberries, and raspberries, all celebrating the essence of each season.
Availability & Booking This experience lasts approximately 60 minutes and is able to cater to a maximum of six people. Price: €250 (approx $270 USD) per person. Watch a quick video of Paula Pastry HERE
About Ashford Castle
Standing sentinel on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years, magnificent Ashford Castle occupies an estate of such spectacular proportions, that spending any amount of time in its grounds creates indelible memories. Once home to the Guinness family and today a multi-generational resort, Ashford Castle is lovingly run by a team which passionately cares about every single guest.
The estate encompasses 83 rooms and suites, a sumptuous spa and gym, an equestrian centre, a brand-new leisure complex, Ireland’s School of Falconry, a nine-hole golf course, an array of restaurants and bars, an extensive wine cellar and even a luxe cinema. www.ashfordcastle.com Rates at Ashford Castle start at €475.00 (approx $510 USD) per night B&B including VAT and breakfast. High-res images of Ashford Castle and the new experiences can be found HERE.
PRESS CONTACT Louisa Levison | louisa@louisarosepr.com | +1 (646) 275 0320
