Castlemartyr Resort
Cork, Ireland
Castlemartyr Resort, Grange, Castlemartyr, Cork, Ireland, P25 X300
Original Property Opened in 1210
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2022
- 2023 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Annual Awards of Excellence Winners
- The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Most Historic Bars and Lounges List Is Announced
- The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Afternoon Tea Experiences List Is Announced
- The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Most Magnificent Ceilings and Domes List Is Announced
- The 2023 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Most Magnificent Ceilings and Domes
- The 2023 Historic Hotels Worldwide Top 25 Afternoon Tea Experiences
Nestled amid East Cork’s woodlands across 220 acres, Castlemartyr Resort consists of a grand 17th-century country manor house that sits adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle. From the Knights Templar to Sir Walter Raleigh, Castlemartyr Resort stands as a witness to history. Officially opened for guests in 2008, the grounds and buildings have been magnificently restored and enhanced and include 108 guestrooms and suites as well as 36 residences, many overlooking 17th-century parklands and lakes.
Castlemartyr Resort offers ample opportunities to engage in cultural exploration of Irish history, food, and drink as well as activities like horseback riding, golf, and archery. Relaxation is not to be overlooked, though, and guests can enjoy the spa and restaurant in their downtime.
Discover
- Saunter through the castle ruins from which the village of Castlemartyr takes its name. The castle was first built in 1210 by The Knights Templar, who were one of the most famous of the Christian military orders under the leadership of Richard Earl de Clare, more commonly known as Strongbow. Perhaps even locate the tomb of the third Earl of Cork which can be found on the Estate.
- Admire the wealth of stunning architectural styles across the resort. The Manor House, while varying across centuries and owners, can best be described as being “Victorian” in nature.
- Gaze at the Lafranchini ceiling of Knights Bar in the Manor House. The Lafranchini brothers were known for their Rococo style Stucco, chiefly in the great Palladian houses of Ireland.
Explore
- Tour Ballymaloe houses’ impressive art and artifact collections and glean an insight into the Ballymaloe and Allen family’s heritage. Learn about the past and present routines of running a house and farm on this Irish estate. Today, meticiulous planning, planting, and harvesting of the resort's walled garden ensures that the restaurant team always has a varied and bountiful supply of delicious seasonal produce with which to cook.
- Explore the Titanic Experience Cobh, located in the historic White Star Line Building – the very place from where Titanic’s last passengers departed. Take a guided tour and retrace the footsteps of local Queenstown passengers. The exhibit features real passenger stories and eyewitness accounts of the tragedy.
- Delight at the beauty of the House of Waterford. Located in Waterford, Ireland, a Viking city built in 914 AD, this esteemed factory is the beating heart of the world’s luxury crystal manufacture and is where the most intricate, authentic and masterful crystal pieces come to life.
Experience
- Take the reins and go for a ride. Hop Island Equestrian Centre provides lessons for all levels and a weekly beach ride at one of the nearby beaches for two hours.
- Experience gourmet cooking lessons from a sustainable farm. At Ballymaloe Cookery School, gain an understanding of the fundamentals of organic food production, sustainability methods, and delectable recipes.
- Hang ten with the Swell Surf School! Established and run by experienced surfers, Swell Surf School has lessons for beginners, kids, and groups to cover all the basic knowledge and skills needed to ride the waves. Looking for more adrenaline? Try a new offering, Coasteering, which incorporates swimming, exploring gullies and caves using the movement of the swell and traversing the lower-level rocks to jumping sites.
Taste
- Savor delicious homemade scones at the traditional Lady Fitzgerald’s Afternoon Tea served in the stunning Manor House at Castlemartyr Resort. The traditional service is offered regularly and is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in an elegant historical setting.
- Taste the impeccable tea pairing menu curated by an expert tea sommelier at Castlemartyr Resort’s signature restaurant Terre. The menu at Terre features meticulously crafted courses combining traditional French techniques with Southeast Asian flavors.
- Experience the bounty of the Irish hearth. Canopy Restaurant at Castlemartyr takes inspiration from the resort’s lush, green surroundings by crafting a nature-inspired dining room and serving the freshest local, seasonal produce of Ireland. Canopy Restaurant menus feature contemporary Irish cuisine and feature dishes with venison, guinea fowl, and cod. Or enjoy a fine whiskey at the Knights Bar, an elegant and intimate lounge in the Manor House.