The AA Hospitality Awards are a symbol of excellence in the UK’s hospitality industry, recognizing outstanding establishments across various categories in the sector, and seeking out and celebrating the very best in hospitality across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Killeavy Castle Estate, the 2023 winner of the Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland, was built in the nineteenth century and opened in 2019 as a hotel after massive refurbishment and investment.
The secluded country estate includes the renovated Killeavy Castle, a hotel complex with a bar, restaurant, spa facilities, a walled garden and a self-catering gate lodge all located in 365 acres of gorgeous woods and farmlands in the stunning Slieve Gullion area.
The AA Hospitality Awards inspector commended the hotel on how the original coach house and mill blend seamlessly into the newer locations and on the relaxed nature of dining with its focus on local produce.
Accepting the award, the owners of Killeavy Castle Estate, Mick and Robin Boyle, said: “We are most proud that the Killeavy luxury experience is a uniquely environmentally friendly one. The produce we serve is grown on the estate or from the surrounding countryside. Single plastic use is minimized, and waste is composted or recycled, nothing goes to landfill. Over the next decade, we are replanting and regenerating 50,000 native trees on the estate as part of a plan to create 150 acres of native woodlands. The net effect is that Killeavy Castle will be carbon neutral next year, well ahead of our 2027 target, so guests can come and enjoy our luxury without any environmental concerns.”
Killeavy Castle Estate has won numerous awards in recent years in recognition of its excellence in hospitality including two AA rosettes for culinary excellence in its restaurant and an AA four-star rating for excellence in hospitality. This latest accolade reaffirms Killeavy Castle Estate’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, showcasing the rich heritage and natural beauty of Northern Ireland, and offering guests a luxurious retreat.
The hotel is located in the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark which encompasses three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has a unique range of geological characteristics.
It is a magnet for hikers and was chosen as a dramatic backdrop for the filming of the blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones.
