Last year, the Red Carnation Hotel Collection expanded its reach into Ireland when it purchased Ashford Castle. And it seems that the Emerald Island still holds plenty of appeal: The Collection has just added a second Irish hotel in County Mayo—Lisloughrey Lodge.
Ireland-philes will have an easy time exploring both properties, since the Lodge is part of Ashford's 350-acre estate. To emphasize the connection, we hear the Lisloughrey Lodge will be rebranded as The Lodge at Ashford Castle and will provide a more intimate alternative to the larger property. Even cooler, Red Carnation Hotels President and Founder Beatrice Tollman will personally oversee the rebranding.
Already popular with the weddings market, the Lodge at Ashford Castle is expected to attract a younger audience than its “Grand Dame” neighbor. Available activities include fishing, golf, falconry, clay pigeon shooting and horseback riding, as well as water sports on Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Corrib, which both hotels overlook.
While we wait to see how the Lodge will change once the rebranding is complete, we may be able to get an idea from the recently unveiled suites at Ashford, which were renovated under the eye of Tollman and her daughter Toni Tollman.