A sweet nocturne
Bedrooms
Sleeping soundly at Gilford Castle
Each of Gilford Castle’s bedrooms is as distinctive as the castle itself, offering unique character and atmosphere while remaining faithful to the house’s Victorian Scots-Baronial heritage. Colour and craftsmanship shape unique experiences—antique furnishings, richly embroidered fabrics, and period artworks grace each luxurious and inviting space. Together they form a collection of distinctive retreats—each a private world within the castle offering timeless refinement and modern comfort.
Perchance to dream
A collection of intimate worlds
Gilford Castle’s bedrooms
Every space has a story
Some Gilford Castle bedrooms are richly cocooning spaces of intimacy and grandeur, while others evoke distant lands with jewel-toned palettes and lacquered details. Still others are inspired by gentle, sun-filled spring days or the serene beauty of historic libraries. Whether you’re seeking gilded theatre or a return to a home you never knew, Gilford Castle has a place for you.
01
The Dickson Suite
Benjamin Dickson was the industrialist who reshaped Gilford in the 1860s and commissioned the construction of Gilford Castle. While he never lived here, he did bring his fiancée to see the house. Their story ended before the wedding, and so this room feels like a gentle nod to what might have been. The suite is one of the most generous spaces in the house—high-ceilinged, graceful, and quietly luxurious. Soft light falls across the antique four-poster bed, draped in pure silk, and the De Gournay fabrics that dress the sofa and armchairs. Plush wool carpets, antique French light fittings, and bespoke handmade lampshades from London underline its refined character. The original oak fireplace surround, reclaimed from the castle’s grand hallway, now anchors the room with a sense of continuity. From the windows, you look across the parkland to the north, towards some of the estate’s oldest trees. In the en-suite, a Victorian gilded console and mirror have been adapted to hold the basins, complemented by an Edwardian marble fireplace rescued from the old master bedroom. The turret WC carries a hand-painted mural, a small flourish of craftsmanship in a private, unexpected corner of the castle.
02
The Carleton Suite
Katherine Carleton was a formidable and quietly fascinating woman who lived at Gilford Castle in the early 1900s. She arrived here with her lady companion, two servants, and a strident independence that was unusual for her time. She was an auctioneer and a renowned breeder of prize cattle, and always exhibited practical capability. You can see traces of her presence elsewhere in the house: the leadlight windows on the staircase feature her initials. Her suite reflects that blend of resolve and elegance. Specialist hand-painted panelling adds depth to the walls, while French antique furniture—including a rare early-1600s wardrobe—adds a sense of heritage. Colefax & Fowler velvet fabrics soften the strong red palette, and the Ulster carpet underfoot completes the room’s warm composure. From the windows, the view opens west across the gardens she once knew, offering a private vantage on a changing estate during the linen industry’s long transformation.
03
The Moffett Suite
The Moffett family are Gilford Castle’s current custodians, and this room reflects the beginning of the estate’s latest chapter. Robert and Adrienne Moffett restored the house with patience, care, and a belief in its future. Their motto: spero meliora (I hope for better things). The suite is shaped by refined, understated detail. Chinoiserie wallpaper by Watts of Westminster sets a calm, patterned backdrop, complemented by French antiques and Colefax & Fowler embroidered silks. Handmade linen curtains nod to Gilford’s historic linen industry, with intricately hand-stitched pelmets crafted by David Murtagh and his team. Soft south- and west-facing light gives the room an easy warmth throughout the day. In the en-suite, Victorian tin-style tiles and a restored original cast-iron bath preserve the character of the castle’s early interiors, balanced with Colefax wall coverings for a comfortable, contemporary finish.
04
The Wright Suite
The Wright family brought worldly elegance to Gilford after decades spent in Hong Kong and Manila, where James Francis Wright built his career in international finance and helped lay the foundation for what became HSBC. This suite’s East Asian accents echo the objects and influences that travelled home with the family. Brunschwig & Fils grasscloth in an Oriental palette lines the walls, accompanied by antique Chinoiserie furniture and Colefax & Fowler embroidered silk curtains. Together, they create a layered, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Soft light moves across the lacquered pieces and pagoda-style lantern, giving the suite an intimate, reflective quality. An Ulster carpet and the original Victorian marble fireplace anchor the space in its Irish setting, balancing global influence with local heritage.
05
The Dunbar & McMaster Suite
This suite is named for the industrialists whose linen mill powered Gilford’s prosperity in the 19th century. Their entrepreneurial spirit helped transform this bend in the River Bann into an engine of the thriving linen industry. This room later became Mrs Wright’s sewing studio. When the Moffetts purchased the property, this room was lined with wardrobes filled with her costumes, hats, and fabrics. Behind those wardrobes, the original Victorian marble fireplace had been completely concealed, only rediscovered during the restoration. Today, that creative spirit remains. Embroidered Colefax & Fowler curtains nod to the room’s past, while the antique Singer machine is a vestige of Mrs Wright’s passion. Soft blue walls, Italian light fittings, and Irish and French antiques give the suite a composed, elegant presence.
06
The Spence Suite
William Spence, the Glaswegian architect of Gilford Castle, was best known for designing Glasgow’s Theatre Royal—the home of Scottish Opera. His eye for grandeur set the rhythm, balance, and proportions that define the castle. Yet the room named in his honour has a gentler, more romantic character. Coral tones, richly patterned fabrics, and carved Victorian furniture create a warm, domestic atmosphere—fitting for a man whose careful, often unseen work helped shape not only this house but many others across Britain and Ireland. The Spence Suite offers composed, quietly refined comfort, a tranquil nest at the centre of the castle’s architectural drama.
07
The Magill Suite
Captain John Magill was a 17th-century Scottish settler who held extensive lands in County Down and lent Gilford (Magill’s Ford) his name. His descendants built the first Gilford Castle a century later, and you can glimpse its ruins behind the current gatehouse. The Magill Suite itself has a graceful character—soft, patterned walls and warm floral textiles create a gentle backdrop for the suite’s gilded headboard, marble fireplace, and hand-painted furniture. Light lands softly on curved lines and botanical motifs, giving the space an air of quiet refinement.
08
The Johnston Suite
The Johnston family were the first to establish an estate at Gilford, rising from 17th-century landholders to baronets whose influence shaped the village for more than a century. They built the original Gilford Castle, stewarded the land through eras of conflict and prosperity, and laid the foundations for later generations to build on. Their crest still appears inscribed on the library’s mantlepiece. The Johnston Suite reflects that heritage through a pastoral theme, bathed in light and overlooked by toile scenes of rural life. Soft pinks, painted timber, and French-inspired furnishings create a sense of quiet refinement, echoing the landscapes the Johnstons once cultivated along the Bann.
09
The Meegan Suite
The Meegan Suite honours Adrienne Moffett (née Meegan) and her Monaghan family of builders who helped bring Gilford Castle back to life. Her family’s craftsmanship and care are woven throughout the fabric of the castle. The room reflects their calm approach. Deep greens and warm tones sit alongside botanical patterns and antique pieces. The combination gives the room an easy comfort which is neither formal nor overly styled, but well-composed in a way that helps guests settle quickly. It’s a space that feels coherent, considered, and pleasant, shaped by choices that favour practicality, longevity, and good taste.
10
The Hope Suite
The Hope Suite draws its name from Castleblayney and the family who once presided there, beginning with Sir Edward Blayney, 1st Baron Blayney, and later Henry Thomas Hope, whose ownership linked the town to the famed Hope Diamond. It is a history that travelled widely yet remained rooted in a particular corner of County Monaghan. Castleblayney lies halfway between Broomfield and Clontibret, where the Moffett and Meegan families come from, and where Robert and Adrienne spent many of their early years. Spero Meliora, the Moffett family motto, means “We hope for better things” and echoes that connection. It appears again in the hand-painted mural of Hope Castle and Lough Muckno in Gilford Castle’s Gentlemen’s Lounge. The Hope Suite’s blue-and-cream patterns, soft gold tones, and classic furnishings create a clear, uplifting atmosphere.
Practical elegance
Gilford Castle’s creature comforts
Gilford Castle’s bedrooms are designed for comfort and ease. Many are accompanied by private bathrooms, featuring marble-topped vanities, gilt-framed mirrors, and heritage fixtures that balance charm with function. Tall sash windows draw in natural light and frame views of the gardens and woodland, while fireplaces, seating areas, and writing tables make each room as inviting to inhabit by day as they are restful by night. Every detail has been considered to make you feel at home.
Every last detail
A timeless sanctuary
Every bedroom is shaped by the castle’s layered history and its place in the Irish countryside. High ceilings, tall sash windows, and original fireplaces root the rooms in their Scots-Baronial heritage, while antique four-posters, gilt mirrors, and richly textured fabrics speak to centuries of care. The furnishings and décor were chosen to reflect the many lives of the castle and the character of the building itself itself—romantic and pastoral. Each creates a retreat is at once part of a noble tradition and deeply personal, a chance to step away from the world and inhabit a private, timeless sanctuary.
Contact
Embark on your journey
Staying at Gilford Castle Estate is a unique, exclusive experience. Reach out through our contact form and request a bespoke consultation so we can understand your requirements and provide you with a tailored experience.
