shford Castle is a luxury 5-star hotel in Cong, Co. Mayo, in the West of Ireland. The castle overlooks Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake. It is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and is a highly acclaimed hotel.
Ashford Castle boasts a rich and storied history dating back to the 13th century and was once home to the Guinness family.
The tradition of Afternoon Tea has been preserved at Ashford Castle since 1868. The original silver tea service, presented in 1896 to Lord and Lady Ardilaun of the Guinness family to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, is displayed here.
Lord & Lady Ardilaun Afternoon Tea is served in the Connaught Room, an intimate space with classic charm. The room features rich decor, elegant furnishings, intricate details, and stunning views of the surrounding grounds.
The menu offers a wide selection of specialty teas, finger sandwiches, freshly baked home-made scones, as well as a selection of home-made pastries.
Once seated, the menu was explained to us, and we were offered a welcome drink of mixed berry and rowan berry lemonade.
The tea selection includes a range of black and green teas, as well as flavoured teas, herbal infusions, and seasonal options. Each is carefully chosen to enhance the afternoon tea experience. Coffee is also an option.
The first tier of savouries was brought to our table, plated. It included St. Tola’s goats curd on brown sourdough, roast beef striploin on seeded sourdough, smoked salmon mousse with crab tart, spiced chestnut hummus on white sourdough and roast turkey brioche.
Each one was better than the last, with all the ingredients complementing each other perfectly. The roast turkey brioche was our favourite!
Next, a tiered tray of afternoon tea was brought to our table. The presentation was impeccable. Each item was beautifully arranged.
The bottom tier featured plain and cheese scones, along with orange, cardamom, and apricot pastries, served with lemon curd, clotted cream, and fruit preserve.
The scones were soft and buttery, pairing wonderfully with the lemon curd and clotted cream. The pastries had a pleasant balance of sweet and spicy flavours.
Sweet treats followed – these included a cranberry Bakewell tart, hazelnut mousse with salted caramel, blackcurrant and jasmine mousse, and mascarpone coffee choux.
Each dessert offered a distinct balance of rich, fruity, and creamy flavours. They were beautifully presented, with vibrant colours and simple garnishes that enhanced their appeal.
The plating made each treat just as pleasing to the eye as it was to the palate.
At the end of our afternoon tea experience, we were given a take-home gift of tea as a lovely memento.
Afternoon Tea is served daily from 1.30pm to 4pm and is priced at €78 per person. It can be enjoyed with champagne by the glass or with three samples of Lanson Champagne for an additional €45.
The service was excellent. The staff were both professional and friendly. The food was delicious, with a perfect variety of sweet and savoury treats that complemented the tea perfectly.
The ambiance was calm and relaxing, which made the experience not just about the food, but also about taking the time to enjoy conversation and savour each course.
For more information, visit https://ashfordcastle.com/.
