Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Club is uniquely situated on its own private 310 acre island. Access to the island is via a chain linked private car ferry, which is operated 24 hours a day. Located 2½ hours south of Dublin, in South East Ireland, the island is within a short drive from Waterford City Centre and the world-renowned Waterford Crystal factory is only a 15-minute drive.

When you arrive on the island, you will be greeted by the island’s own private car ferry which operates 24 hours a day. Take a tree-lined driveway, where over a thousand years ago the first inhabitants cut out a rough track to secure their settlement. Ahead stands the 16th century castle, proud and immense, its corners folded back in cloud-grey coloured stones

The Island originates back to the 11th century and was once home to the FitzGerald Family. The island is now privately owned, comprising of a 19 bedroom luxury hotel and 18 hole Championship Golf Course, surrounded by woodlands and the River Suir.

Once inside the Great Entrance Hall, guests are greeted by original Oak panelled walls, Portland stonewalls, tapestries and a huge open log fire.

Waterford Castle Hotel is a 19 bedroom Luxury Hotel which combines the gracious living of an elegant past with every modern comfort, service and convenience. The antiques, period décor and delicate details will captivate your imagination. Traditional fabrics and exquisite furnishings are featured in individually decorated Suites and Guests bedrooms.

To compliment this fine establishment, the staff of the Castle take great pride in delivering a personal service to our guests. Many members of the staff have followed in the footsteps of their great-grand parents who worked for the FitzGerald Family up to the 1950s. Our staff service ethos is acknowledged by the many service awards bestowed on the Castle in recent years.

Please note that Waterford Castle Hotel is a non smoking property.

Golf Course

Adjacent to the hotel sits a wonderful parkland golf course, designed by Des Smyth, former Ryder Cup player. Opened in 1992, this 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course, complete with luxurious clubhouse, leads you through mature woodland and parkland. The course itself runs to 6,814 yards, off the medal tees, and covers an area of over 200 acres.

The table below lists some of the most challenging golf courses in the Waterford area, from Mount Juliet (Host of the American Express World Matchplay Championships 2002 and the forthcoming American Express World Championships in September 2004) to our own magnificent 18 holes, just a stroll away from the Castle.

History

Waterford Castle reaches back into time, a time capsule that reflects history. According to tradition, a Monastic settlement existed on the island sometime between the sixth and eighth centuries and two "finds" on the land have lent substance to this: a Winged Angel dating from the 8th century and the crude carving of a Monk's head, which is now prominently displayed over the main entrance to the Castle, dating from the 6th century.

The first family to live on the Island was the FitzGerald amily, cousins to Strongbow. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the FitzGerald's were the Kings of Ireland in all but name and hosted many feasts and banquets on the Island.

The Island and the Castle remained in the FitzGerald name up until 1958, then the Igo Family of Rhodesia bought the property and installed a five acre complex of glass houses from which they produced fruits and flowers.

In 1978, the island was rented to a local pedigree dairy farmer, who later bought the island. The owner saw the island as an isolated, disease free area and the perfect place to continue his dairy farming.

Operating as a luxury hotel since 1988, the beauty of the island and the Castle has been opened up to its visitors.

Accommodations

There are 19 period bedrooms, accommodating up to 38 guests, including The Presidential Suite, 4 Deluxe Four Poster Suites and 14 double/twin rooms each with private bath.

All bedrooms are individually named, based on the history of Waterford Castle and include names such as The Ormonde Room, The Kildare Room and Glin Room.

Accommodation combines the gracious living standards of an elegant past with every modern comfort, service and convenience. The antiques, stylish décor and delicate period details will captivate the most discerning guests. Guests are pampered with thoughtful personal comforts that include nightly turndown service, plush bathrobes, hairdryer, bottled mineral water and deluxe toiletries.

The location, splendour and comfort make Waterford Castle Hotel a rare and wonderful experience.

Weddings

Weddings Waterford Castle Hotel provides a stunning venue for an unforgettable wedding day. Once transferred across to the island, you will immediately feel 1000 miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Each wedding is individually organized by our wedding co-ordinator who is always on hand to suggest, arrange and oversee your own personal requirements.

Conferences

Conference Facilities Conference facilities have been designed especially for meetings of management and visiting business groups.

The Omar Khayyam Boardroom: This is an elegantly decorated boardroom with oak panelled walls and ornate plaster ceiling, extending views of the 18 hole championship golf course, garden and island. Room measures 19'10" x 15' 2".

Numbers: From 4 – 10 guests Table layout: Boardroom Style

Room hire: Euro 120.00

The Leinster Room The Leinster Room provides an elegant setting for your business meeting or product launch. Measures 18' 9" x 14' x 10".

Numbers: From 12 to 30 Maximum Layout: Boardroom Style – 20 guests Theatre style with Top Table – 30 guests

Room hire: Euro 150.00

Location

Waterford Castle is located 3 miles outside Waterford City. Waterford is a town of over 40,000 people in South East Ireland, and is accessible from all the main ports and airports (including Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Rosslare). Numerous connecting flights are available from the London and the UK, including direct daily flights from London Luton to Waterford Airport.

From Cork N25 At the first roundabout approaching Waterford City, take signs for Waterford Regional Hospital and Dunmore East. Continue for 6 miles until you arrive at Waterford Regional Hospital. At the roundabout keep right, continue on this round for 1 miles passing 2 pedestrian lights, at the next traffic lights turn left. Continue on this road until you see the ferry crossing to the island and Waterford Castle Golf Club.

From Dublin N9 Turn right, at the train station roundabout, on to the bridge over the River Suir. Turn left at next lights on to the City quay, continue down the quay in the left-hand lane, past the Tower Hotel. At the lights immediately after the Tower Hotel, turn left on to the Dunmore Road, continue past the park, and bear left at the college. At the first mini roundabout turn left, continue through next two roundabouts passing the shopping centre on the right and the hospital on the left. Turn left after pedestrian crossing and continue on this road until you see the ferry crossing to the Island and Waterford Castle Golf Club.

From Rosslare & Wexford Turn left at the train station, on to the bridge over the River Suir. Continue with the directions as from Dublin.