Ashford Castle 2025 History Festival

Taking place on 28 February & 1 March, the event will focus on the history of the West of Ireland and feature:  

• Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter: who will reflect on the trials and triumphs of the West of Ireland through the ages in his talk All that had Edge.
• Ryan Tubridy: who will discuss the era of 1913-1923, a period in history with which he has long been fascinated. The broadcaster will explore critical moments and the key players of the time – from Roger Casement to his maternal grandfather, Todd Andrews.
• Myles Dungan: will explore the fascinating life and legacy of ‘Captain’ Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English land agent who took up residence in Co. Mayo, and whose ostracism by his local community gave the English language the term ‘boycott’.
• Turtle Bunbury: will address guests on Vanishing Ireland, homing in on the people and professions whose stories are rarely told and whom Turtle interviewed for his Vanishing Ireland books and podcasts.
• The festival will conclude on the Saturday evening with an entertaining panel discussion moderated by Ryan Tubridy. Guests will also enjoy dinner in Ashford Castle’s George V dining room on one evening of the festival where each speaker will host a table, and the discussions and debates will extend long into the night. 

Accommodation choices:

Guests can choose to stay in the 5* Ashford Castle or its 4* sister hotel, The Lodge at Ashford Castle:

• From €1,700 for two people sharing, enjoy the history festival with two nights at Ashford Castle, breakfast each morning, and dinner on the second evening in the George V dining room
• Or stay in The Lodge at Ashford from €1,180 for two people sharing, with breakfast each morning and dinner in the George V dining room.

For reservations, visit: www.ashfordcastle.com