Barberstown Castle Hotel

Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland, Ireland

---

Barberstown Castle Hotel is a historic castle hotel located near Straffan in County Kildare, about 25 kilometers west of Dublin.

Originally built around 1288 by Nicholas Barby, it began as a Norman fortified castle and played a role in defending the area known as the Pale, the region under English control in medieval Ireland. Over more than seven centuries, the castle passed through many notable owners and witnessed important periods of Irish history.

It was gradually expanded with Elizabethan, Victorian, and later additions while retaining its medieval character. The property gained modern fame when musician Eric Clapton owned it during the 1980s. Today, Barberstown Castle operates as a four-star hotel surrounded by landscaped gardens and parkland. Combining original castle features with modern comforts, it is valued for its rich heritage, elegant architecture, and reputation as one of County Kildare’s most distinctive historic destinations.