Ashford Castle has announced details of its 2025 History Festival featuring four of Ireland’s leading historians, broadcasters and writers who will explore the rich, complex and fascinating history of the west of Ireland. The annual event will take place over two days, February 28 and March 1 in the historic castle in Cong.
The West of Ireland themed festival will take place in the castle’s private cinema featuring Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter, one of Ireland’s best known historians who will reflect on the trials and triumphs of the West of Ireland through the ages in his talk All that had Edge.
Ryan Tubridy returns to one of his favourite spots in Ireland with his talk Tubridy’s West. Covering 1913-1923, a period in history with which he has long been fascinated, the broadcaster will explore critical moments and the key players of the time - from Roger Casement to his maternal grandfather, Todd Andrews.
Myles Dungan’s talk will explore the fascinating life and legacy of ‘Captain’ Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English land agent who took up residence in Co. Mayo, and whose ostracism by his local community gave the English language the term ‘boycott’.
Festival regular Turtle Bunbury will address guests on Vanishing Ireland, homing in on the people and professions whose stories are rarely told and whom Turtle interviewed for his Vanishing Ireland books and podcasts.
The festival will conclude on the Saturday evening with an entertaining panel discussion moderated by Ryan Tubridy, the self-professed history fanatic who, in 2016 explored his connections with 1916 for an RTE documentary series on The Rising. Guests will enjoy also dinner in Ashford Castle’s George V dining room on one evening of the festival where each speaker will host a table, and the discussions and debates will extend long into the evening.
Guests will enjoy world-class hospitality and a true west of Ireland welcome on the Ashford estate and can choose to stay in Ashford Castle or sister hotel, The Lodge at Ashford.
From €1,700 for two people sharing, enjoy the history festival with two nights at Ashford Castle. With an award-winning breakfast each morning, guests will also enjoy dinner on the second evening in the George V dining room in the company of the festival speakers.
Or stay in The Lodge from €1,180 for two people sharing, together with a full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner in the George V dining room with the four speakers, as part of the West of Ireland festival.
All guests can make full use of the complimentary nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, estate bicycles and the Ashford estate’s health & fitness centre Éalú with pool, sauna and steam rooms and enjoy the estate’s daily guided walks. Prices are based on two adults sharing and are subject to availability at the time of booking. T&Cs apply. Advance reservation is required for all dining and activities at the hotel.
For reservations visit www.ashfordcastle.com or email [email protected] or call 094 954 6003.
