Lastly, Galway is an excellent gateway to a laundry list of Ireland's famed castles, such as Merlin Castle, Ballindooley Castle, and Claregalway Castle. Besides Dublin's price conundrum ...

Ashford Castle, which was originally built in 1228, is located in Cong, Ireland (roughly 25 miles northwest of Galway). Recent guests said that they felt like royalty during their stays ...