If any culture understands connection… it’s the Irish.
They look you in the eye.
They ask how you’re doing, and mean it.
They have genuine warmth
And that’s coming from a Canadian.
A Castle That Holds Almost a Millennium of Stories
During this trip, we had the absolute pleasure of spending a night at Kilkea Castle, a literal fairytale come to life.
Originally built in 1180 AD… let’s pause for that to sink in.
You’re sleeping inside a structure that has stood for nearly a thousand years.
The first moment I stepped through my room, I just stood there, completely overwhelmed by the beauty. My eyes welled up, and before I could even process the moment, tears were streaming down my face. It hit me all at once:
I’m in a real castle.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
This is what awe feels like.
A Place Where Childhood Dreams Come True
Walking the castle grounds feels like wandering through the pages of a Lord of the Rings book.
The trees and garden have so much personality it feels like they could just get up and walk.
A pretty river winds through the estate.
And every corner looks like fairies might be living behind the moss and stone.
During our stay, we were given a private tour of Kilkea’s new activity center with mastermind Jack FitzSimons. He and his team have seamlessly blended history with modernity, adding archery, air rifle shooting, fly fishing and even castle-themed escape rooms (probably the only castle in the world where you can do that).
We managed to crack the escape room with just two minutes left. And after a short lesson, I discovered I have an eye for both air rifle and archery, and I can’t wait to practice back home. That’s the beauty of travel: you never know what you’ll discover on the other side of the experience. About the place, about those you meet, and about yourself.
Meetings, incentives, and experiences at Kilkea
Kilkea Castle will completely transform what many imagine incentive travel to be. Historic stone halls and sweeping gardens create a sense of occasion, while the activity center, dining options, and intimate event spaces naturally bring genuine fun, connection and conversation.
Kilkea Castle is for you if you’re:
✅ An executive teamslooking to give your top performers a “dream come true” experience
✅ An incentive traveller who wants a combination of history, adventure, and luxury
✅ A teams looking for a unique jolt of inspiration
Honestly, meetings and events in a castle like Kilkea instantly set a higher standard. Teams will absolutely leave inspired, connected, and talking about it for the rest of their lives.
Connection coming full circle
It felt like the perfect match, my husband speaking about connection, before we were whisked away to a place designed to bring people together across centuries. Kilkea Castle is grand and richly historic, but what makes it extraordinary is how every experience, from wandering the gardens to learning archery, reminds you to slow down, and feel present. And in a world where demands surround us, making time for presence is essential for a top preformer.
If you find yourself here… breathe it all in. Because Kilkea Castle isn’t just a place to visit, but a place you’ll go back to in your mind for the rest of your life.
Ren Lewis 
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