NEWLYWEDS Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumoured to be enjoying their 'mini-moon' in plush Ashford Castle in Mayo. The 13th century hotel outside the small village of Cong is reportedly on lockdown at the moment as security patrol the grounds. 3 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumoured to be staying in Plush Ashford Castle Credit: Getty - Contributor 3 Five-star Ashford Castle in Mayo Credit: Alamy And the rumour-mill has gone into overdrive when one local tweeted that she could not get into the grounds yesterday. Rachel Forde said: "The first time I go to ashford castle and we couldn’t get into the actually castle and around it because the ROYALS are within..." Kensington Palace has refused to comment on the matter. While the manager of the castle refused to confirm or deny reports to Evoke.ie. 3 Prince Harry and Meghan wed last month Credit: AP:Associated Press Ashford Castle is a favourite for celebrities such as Hollywood star Piece Brosnan and Irish golfer Rory McIlroy - where his wedding with Erica Stoll was held. That wedding bash was kept under wraps too with heavy security in place so no one could get a look in. For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it would be their first trip away since tying the knot last month. It was heavily rumoured that they would spend at least one night in Ireland after they wed - with their honeymoon being pushed down the line because of a hectic Royal schedule, which was seen as a break away from tradition. But it was thought a short trip for the couple to Ireland so they can spend some quality time together would make sense. Most read in news PUP update Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy to begin phase out from October TONE DEAF Live music ban at pubs, restaurants and hotels sparks fury ahead of reopening urgent appeal Gardai appeal to find four children missing from Dublin for almost 3 weeks LAST ORDERS 'No alternative' but to refuse to grant Berlin D2 bar licences renewal troll hell Andrew McGinley says trolls pretended to know family & 'facts' of how kids died Down Time Dublin salon praised for introducing silent appointments after Covid reopening It will be 33-year-old Harry’s first visit to Ireland but Meghan, 36, has already visited as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014. And later on this year they are expected to go on a longer trip as it is believed courtiers see Harry and Meghan as “super envoys” who can travel the world and promote the Royal Family. The couple have been tipped to go to a dazzling array of exotic locations for their honeymoon including Botswana, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.<doc-sep>Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton discuss working as a family FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Royal-watchers have speculated for months over where the couple, who were married in Windsor on May 19, could honeymoon. Popular opinion has been that Meghan and Harry would escape to Africa to recreate the magic of their first holiday together when they started dating. More recently, the couple was tipped to be planning a trip to Canada, where Meghan lived while filming the legal drama Suits. Speculation that a trip to Ashford Castle is on the cards began when members of the public were denied access to the medieval castle-turned-hotel. One Twitter user said: "The first time I go to Ashford Castle and we couldn’t get into the castle or around it because the Royals are within." Another posted: "Meghan and Harry are supposedly at Ashford Castle. "Security was really tight compared to what it had been the last time I was there." Locals in the area have reported that roads around the castle are closed and security is high. Royal-watchers have speculated for months over where the couple could honeymoon What is Ashford Castle? Ashford Castle is a medieval and Victorian castle that has been expanded over the centuries and turned into a five-star luxury hotel on the Mayo-Galway border in Ireland. The castle has an incredibly long and interesting history, dating back to 1228. It was passed from hand to hand and eventually sold to Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1852, who added two Victorian style extensions and planted thousands of trees on the estate. In 1939, the castle was sold to Noel Huggard who converted the historic building into a hotel. Ashford Castle is a medieval and Victorian castle that has been expanded over the centuries Meghan and Harry married in Windsor on May 19<doc-sep>In the weeks since their wedding day, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were rumored to be traveling to Alberta, Canada and Namibia for the royal honeymoon. But it's possible they chose another vacation destination entirely—and they're on their honeymoon right now. Reports out of northwestern Ireland speculate that Harry and Meghan are honeymooning at Ashford Castle, an ultra-luxe five-star resort in County Galway. (Perhaps they consulted BAZAAR.com's 2018 honeymoon guide?) The rumors started with a flurry of tweets from travelers encountering unexpected security barriers around the estate. As someone who's been to Ashford Castle, I can confirm it's fit for royalty—I felt unworthy of entering the lavish 13th-century castle, little less spending a night there. The Luxury Travel Guide Awards named it the Best Hotel in the World in 2016, and Ashford is currently a member of Leading Hotels of the World, which means you're guaranteed the height of luxury during your stay. Here's what to expect if you decide to book your own trip. 1) Ashford Castle is the oldest castle in Ireland, built in 1228 but expanded in the 19th century. The castle is situated within the village of Cong in County Mayo. The de Bourgo family built the medieval stronghold in the 13th century and retained ownership for 350 years. As the structure passed through the hands of different owners (some received through battles, others through royal grants), they added their own extensions. In 1715, the Browne family established the castle and its lands as the Ashford estate, expanding the structure in the French chateau style and installing their own coat of arms on the roof. When Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchased the estate in 1852, he added two expansions and 26,000 acres to the land. You can get a full breakdown of the castle's history here. 2) The Guinness family (yes, of beer fame), owned it for 87 years. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness and his son, Lord Ardilaun, added huge expansions to the castle and its lands during their ownership. 3) It has hosted royals and other celebrities before. Before he was crowned king, George V and his wife, Queen Mary (Queen Elizabeth II's great-grandparents) visited the estate 1905. Today, the castle's dining room bears his name. The George V Dining Room at Ashford Castle Courtesy Ashford Castle Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly also stayed there in the '60s. Non-royal celebrity guests include Oscar Wilde, President Reagan, Ted Kennedy, and Brad Pitt. Many letters and photographs of the estate's most distinguished guests are displayed in the hotel. 4) The estate features 83 rooms and suites and its own "Hideway Cottage." During your stay, you can reside within the castle in one of its sumptuous rooms, or rent out the Hideaway Cottage, the estate's former boathouse. Courtesy Ashford Castle The 350-acre estate offers a spa, movie theater, and wine cellar, as well as boating on Loch Corrib, horseback riding, falconry, fishing, bicycling, golf, clay shooting, and kayaking. Fishing on Loch Corrib Courtesy Ashford Castle I took the bikes for a spin on my trip and only fell once: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. 5) Ashford has played host to films and TV shows. Ashford's grounds provide the setting for 1951 film The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The stars stayed at the hotel during filming. More recently, the TV show Reign set its French court at the castle. 6) You don't have to be a guest to tour the estate. For five euros, you can tour the castle grounds, and you can dine inside the castle without staying the night. 7) The Ashford wolfhounds are the most delightful creatures. We know Duchess Meghan is a massive dog lover, and she's sure to encounter Cronan and Garvan, Ashford's resident pets, on her tour of the estate. Obviously, they were the highlight of my trip: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. And yes, they have their own Instagram account, where you can follow all their adventures after your own comes to an end: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. 8) You can even get married there. Professional golfer Rory McIlroy married Erica Stoll at the estate in 2017, and you can host your own wedding at the castle as well. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>It has been reported that rumours that Britain's Prince Harry and his new wife Meghan Markle are honeymooning in Ashford Castle, Co Mayo are false. The Mayo News has said it has confirmed that "the royals are not staying at the world-famous hotel" in Cong. The paper continued: "Though it had been hinted that the Duke and his new wife, the former Suits actress, might visit Ireland on a late honeymoon trip, The Mayo News has learned that Ashford Castle are not hosting the royals this week. "However, the 83-room hotel is booked out for an exclusive 'corporate' event." Increased security had locals saying that the newlyweds were in the area. Having tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were thought to make Ireland the first overseas visit of their marriage, with their official honeymoon expected to come later in the summer due to royal duties. The couple were married on May 19 at Windsor Castle Kensington Palace has not commented on the current whereabouts of the royal couple, but they have been missing from their social media posts for a number of days, with the focus instead on Prince William's various engagements. There have also been reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to visit Ireland later this summer as part of their first international tour.<doc-sep>
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has reportedly visited a popular Irish county. The newlyweds are said to be enjoying married life in Canada on their honeymoon but some are saying the happy couple are actually in Ireland. And where are they? Supposedly they are enjoying the fresh Atlantic breeze on the west coast in Mayo. Prince Harry and Meghan are believed to have caused a bit of a commotion in Mayo at Ashford Castle as the castle was closed to the public this week with heavy security patrolling the perimeters, local roads, Loch Conn and even back lanes. People from the are also tweeted about "royals" being inside the castle and causing a fuss. One person said: "The first time I go to Ashford Castle and we couldn’t get into the actually castle and around it because the ROYALS are within." Another said: "Meghan and Harry are supposedly at Ashford castle" and added later: "Security was really tight compared to it had been the last time I was there before." (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images) Their supposed visit to Ireland comes just after it was reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heading to Ireland for a "mini-moon." TV3 report that there is a very high chance that the newlyweds are going to be visiting Ireland this summer. They say that Meghan and Harry will be coming to Dublin in August but may arrive as early as July. But perhaps the royals have come sooner than expected? Ireland is a popular spot for many celebrities, including royals, and the happy couple recently visited Belfast just a few weeks before their wedding. They're said to be heading off to Botswana for their honeymoon, which offer stunning wildlife, breathtaking scenery and, importantly, privacy from prying eyes. It's a place Harry loves and knows well. He also reportedly brought Meghan to Botswana to celebrate her 36th birthday. The Daily Star reports the couple have settled on a luxury lodge in Namibia, south-west Africa for their Royal Wedding celebrations. Harry was previously said to have contacted lodge company Natural Selection to organise an adventure in the remote country.