Ireland’s West Coast is a labyrinth of landscapes that evolve with every passing hour. Winding roads flanked by traditional stone walls, a magnificent coastline of dashing waves and expansive walks, and pretty villages and towns awash with character and charm.

And nestled in the West is the county of Mayo, the birthplace of Ireland’s first female President and home to one of the most historic and spectacular five-star hotels in Ireland, Ashford Castle, the only hotel in Ireland to have earned a Five-Star Forbes Travel Guide Ranking.

Niall Rochford, General Manager at Ashford Castle, invites you to take a look around the hotel and the 350-acre estate that envelops the castle, where guests have enjoyed exceptional levels of hospitality for more than 80 years:

By Vicki Tollman

Dear Traveler and Treasured Guest,

Wherever you are, I hope you and your family are safe and in good health. This May is certainly different from ones we have known in the past, but one thing that remains the same is that numerous countries around the world will be celebrating Mother’s Day this month. Especially significant this year is the United Nations International Day of Families on Friday, May 15.

For this reason, we decided to dedicate this post to the importance of family, as we navigate this perilous time in our world. Just as our families can be the source of our greatest joy during good times, so too do they provide strength and comfort through challenging times. As Alex Haley, author of Roots, wrote so beautifully, “In every conceivable manner, our family is a link to our past, a bridge to our future.”