Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary, Ireland – Hotel Photography
A new chapter in the history of Cashel Palace started on 1 March 2022, when this historic Tipperary hotel, dating back to 1732, reopened its doors after a major restoration project. Hotel Essence photography was proud to create a comprehensive portfolio of images for the new opening of this landmark five-star heritage hotel with only 42 rooms, situated in the very heart of Ireland.
“This shoot was an extensive project covering architectural photography, interiors, essence details, portraits, spa, and gastronomy. Not only documenting the spaces, but also capturing the very essence of the hotel.”
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Guests can choose from historic rooms in the main building, designed by architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce in 1728; the contemporary garden wing; the carriage house; the old school; and the charming chocolate-box-style gate house. This is a hotel that you could return to on several occasions, just to try out more of the rooms. Many of the suites and garden rooms have views to the Rock of Cashel, a hilltop fortress (“cashel” means stone fort), which dates back to the 5th century.
“You could see that this is a project led by someone who loves the property very much, as every last detail was addressed. The hotel has 14 different room categories, from historic to contemporary.” Michelle Chaplow
The Cashel Palace Hotel, Spa
The state-of-the art spa features an indoor-outdoor pool, where you can admire the spectacular gardens of Cashel Palace, including two listed mulberry trees that were planted in 1702 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Anne. It is a contemporary holistic sanctuary that perfectly compliments the Palladian manor.
Fine dining at Cashel Palace Hotel
Connoisseurs of fine dining are in for a treat with exquisite breakfast and afternoon tea served in the Queen Anne room, while the Bishop’s Buttery offers a memorable gourmet experience. For something more intimate, two private dining rooms cater for special occasions.
Hotel Photography
Hotel photographer Michelle Chaplow recounts anecdotes from the photo shoot.
When we arrived, the builders were still working in the hotel. There was an exciting atmosphere – you could feel that something marvellous was being created: electricians, interior designers, curtain-hangers, upholsterers, carpenters – it was like being backstage before the big reveal! New hotel opening photography is so important, as it is the image that Cashel Palace will share with the world. This is the first glimpse of a meticulous restoration. High-quality hotel photos are essential for both guests, to show them the property in all its glory, and the media, who will need first-class images to illustrate their articles about the hotel.
This shoot was an extensive project covering architectural photography, interiors, essence details, portraits, spa, and gastronomy. Not only documenting the spaces, but also capturing the very essence of the hotel. You could see that this is a project led by an owner who loves the property very much, as every last detail was addressed. The wonderful team is led by GM Adriaan Bartels – the young, enthusiastic hotel staff transmit a great sense of energy and warm Irish hospitality.
The hotel opened on time, the first of March 2022, on a glorious sunny day, with everything in place. A new exciting chapter in the history of Cashel Place.
Photography Crew Photographer: Michelle Chaplow, Photography assistant: Marcos Meider, Stylist: Allan James Stuart, Production management: Chris John.
Production at Cashel Palace: Karen Fleming, Director of Marketing & Digital Marketeer Seamus Redmond. Florist: Bronagh Wilkinson.
The Hotel Experience
This luxurious hotel, with its strong heritage, is extremely elegant. The setting is unique, with views to the Rock of Cashel (also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock), from the gardens, and from the guest rooms that face the garden. The bridal suite even has a view of the Rock from the bathtub! The drawing room and lobby are warm and welcoming, with comfortable sofas and roaring fires, offering an ambience that is more like the private home of Irish gentry than a hotel. The spa is a haven of relaxation, especially with the garden view from the pool, gym and the relaxation room. Unlike many hotels, it boasts a hairdresser, which is a useful feature after visiting the spa.
The interior design is by London-based Emma Pearson, using exceptional quality fabrics. Many items of furniture and decoration had been collected over several years, specifically for this project, including antique chairs and unique ceramic pieces. Emma worked together with proprietor Susan Magnier on the interiors. The Magniers, Ireland’s leading racehorse breeders and owners, bought the mansion as a restoration project in 2017. Equine history can be seen throughout the hotel in paintings, sculptures and other artwork.
Some of the artists whose works are featured in the hotel include Isobel Allan Lowe, whose contemporary ceramic artwork can be seen on the staircase leading down to the spa; Sarah Manolescue, whose beautiful oil paintings of the Rock and surrounding area are in the garden wing guest rooms; and Matthew Collins, who handmade the wallpaper in the ballroom using a painstaking, multi-layered technique.Guests will also see extraordinary artistry in the hand-carved residents’ bar, made by skilled local craftsman.
The Guinness bar in the cellar area features an archway showing the celebrities who have stayed at the hotel over the decades, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Ronald Reagan, Diana Spencer, and Prince Joachim of Denmark.
Dining is a sumptuous an experience as you would expect at a hotel of this calibre, using many local products from the surrounding area of the Golden Vale. Breakfast is served each morning in the Queen Anne room, while an exquisite afternoon tea, with decadent home-baked cakes, including Battenburg in the blue and yellow of Tipperary, is a treat not to be missed. In summer, tea can be taken on the Garden Terrace.
At the atmospheric Residents bar, the signature cocktail is Lady of the Palace. Guests can experience the Irish craic in this cosy space and the Guinness Bar with fellow drinkers bursting into spontaneous song. Needless to say, the hotel has a fabulous wine cellar, as well as a bespoke Cashel Palace gin, distilled locally.
Formal dining at the Bishop’s Buttery, under the helm of Executive Head Chef Stephen Hayes, offers dishes such as free-range pork belly with Alsace bacon and swede, or Castletownbere crab with apple, dill and macadamia.
An informal dining option is available at the on-site sister property, Mikey Ryan’s Bar &Kitchen, situated adjacent to the hotel. Brunch, lunch and dinner are served here.
Guests will find plenty to do in the surrounding area – even excursions you can make on foot, such as visiting the Rock of Cashel. In the town itself, you will find the Cashel cheese factory, and plenty of charming gift and clothing stores, antique shops and traditional Irish pubs. Coolmore estate, with its stud farm, is just a few miles away.
Cashel Palace Hotel history
Cashel Place has rich history dating back to 1732, and with views of the iconic Rock of Cashel, it has been the home of Archbishops and nobility.
You can read more about the fascinating history of Cashel Palace here
A proud member Relais & Chateaux. Cashel Palace reopend it´s doors on the 1st of March 2022 and now a new chapter of history begins.