Barberstown Castle

Barberstown Castle, built in 1288 in the village of Straffan, County Kildare, is one of Ireland's well-preserved medieval castle complexes, sitting about 25 km west of Dublin. It has operated as a boutique hotel since 1971, set within eight hectares of landscaped gardens. The castle's most intriguing chapter came to light during 1996 renovations, when workers uncovered a previously unknown underground tunnel connecting the castle to the nearby Straffan church. The passage is believed to date from the era of the Penal Laws, when Catholic worship was suppressed under British rule and concealed routes served a vital purpose. Today guests stay in medieval tower rooms, dine in vaulted interiors, and wander gardens that retain much of the original demesne character.