Although parts of this hotel were built as recently as the early 2000s, enough genuine old castle is still on view as you approach for it to look and feel satisfyingly, well, castle-like. The oldest section dates from the 12th century, and even the modern guest rooms manage to feel pleasantly antique; some have four-poster beds. Family rooms are available too. The formal Barton Rooms restaurant serves classic (and quite pricey) Irish bistro fare. There’s also a tearoom called Clapton’s Lounge—a reference to the fact that Barberstown Castle was the home of rock star Eric Clapton in the 1980s.