Markree Castle outside of Sligo

Judy found this on the internet so we decided to treat ourselves to a night in the castle. We had a 2nd story room in the tower. It overlooked the formal gardens in the back, with a further view into the woods. After checking in we walked along the paths to view the garden and then it was off into wild outback of the Irish country side. The castle was situated on 500 acres which has been in the same family for 350 years. The castle was turned into a hotel in 1989. We ate dinner and breakfast in a huge dinning room that reminded us of Louis XIV.
There were ornamental gold leafed plaster decorations everywhere on the walls and ceiling. This window was on the landing in the foyer. We passed it each time we went in and out of our room. It depicts the entire genealogy of the owner's family back to Henry VIII. Along the continuum of Irish accomodations, the castle was the most opulent with, Newgrange Lodge being just above youth hostel status.