With more than 700 years of history etched into its stone walls, Barberstown Castle has long been one of Ireland’s most atmospheric country house hotels.
From its origins as a Norman stronghold in 1288 to its time as the home of Eric Clapton, the castle has continually evolved while preserving its distinctive character. Now, under the ownership of businesswoman Amanda Torrens, the four-star retreat in Straffan is entering a new chapter.
Following a carefully considered renovation of its garden-facing public spaces, including the creation of the elegant new Garden Lounge, featuring works by French contemporary artist Patrick Rubinstein in collaboration with Gormley’s Art Gallery, the castle is embracing a new era.
In this interview, Amanda Torrens talks to Robert McHugh about reimagining a historic property for generations to come.
What first drew you to Barberstown Castle – and what made you decide to take on such a historic property?
I’m Donegal born and bred. Through my business, from about 2003 or 2004, I started spending a lot of time in Kildare because I opened my first nursing home there. Over time, I spent more and more time in the county.
Travelling on the road, I would have passed Barberstown Castle and always admired its strong silhouette in the landscape. I visited from time to time and always thought it was a fantastic building.
I was very aware of its national and local importance. To me, it felt like a hidden gem that hadn’t realised its full potential. I suppose I felt that if I invested time and money and built the right team, I could make it shine – like finding a diamond in the rough.
What was your first impression when you walked through the doors as an owner, rather than a guest?
I probably said, “Oh my God, what have I done?!”
On a more serious note, I tend to be my own worst critic, and I’ve always been that way in business. My standards are set high, and I expect the best. I wanted to ensure that people visiting Barberstown would leave with a special, lifelong memory. As an owner, I knew I had to build the right team to achieve the something special I saw within the castle the moment I walked through the door.
Did you feel any pressure being the custodian of a building with over 700 years of history?
Yes – and I always use the word custodian. With somewhere like Barberstown Castle, it’s a huge part of Irish history. I’ve taken on the role to look after it, care for it, and hopefully preserve it for the next 700 years.
The history attached to the castle is phenomenal, and to be part of that is humbling. I would like to think that whenever I pass the keys to the next owner, the castle will be in better condition, and that I will have honoured its history properly.
That’s what I believe a custodian has to do.
Why was now the right time to invest in the public spaces?
It was quite a big project. We completed it in four weeks. In some ways, we became a victim of our own success. Over the four years we’ve been operating Barberstown Castle, it has become very much part of the local community.
The hotel became busier and busier. More people chose to come for family celebrations and special occasions. Our business and conference trade increased significantly. Many people now see it as a place to come for a drink and relax.
Because of that growth, we needed to reimagine and reinvest in those areas, to accommodate the demand we were seeing.
Can you tell me a little about your background?
I’m Donegal born and bred, but Kildare is very much my second home now.
I opened my first nursing home in 2000 and sold 11 of them in 2021. There is not a lot of difference between hospitality and the healthcare business, namely nursing homes. It’s about customer service, quality, food, cleanliness. It was easy for me to adapt into the hotel world.
I told everyone I was retiring, but that word doesn’t sit very well with me, so that’s how I ended up at Barberstown Castle.
Were there any surprises or challenges in renovating a building of that age?
With a building that dates back over 700 years, you have to plan for surprises and challenges on a daily basis. When Nicholas Barby laid the foundations of the castle keep in 1288, I don’t think he was considering how to bring fibre cables into the building to ensure good wi-fi for guests!
You’ve collaborated with Patrick Rubinstein, bringing contemporary art into a medieval setting. What inspired that contrast?
Around the time of Gormley’s Art + Soul exhibition, I saw Patrick Rubinstein’s collective work on view. We wanted to reimagine, rather than redesign, Barberstown Castle.
Rubinstein’s work embodied that for me. He’s a contemporary artist whose kinetic pop art reimagines famous historical and pop culture artwork, often allowing the viewer to see up to three different images in one. It creates a dynamic experience.
The fit felt perfect for what I was trying to achieve in the new spaces. The Flower in Paris will remain permanently, and in collaboration with Gormley’s and Oliver Gormley, other pieces will rotate regularly. That will keep interest fresh and allow us to showcase more artists over time.
How important is the castle’s relationship with the local community in Straffan and Kildare?
I believe all politics is local politics, and all engagement is local engagement. It’s very important to me and the team that we are part of the local community.
We actively support local events and charities. We support our local GAA club, sponsor activities at local race tracks, take part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, and are involved with Little Blue Heroes and Bumblebee.
These initiatives generate strong local interest and help maintain meaningful connections.
I firmly believe in business that the castle is what the team are. I’m very proud of the team we’ve built – they work very hard – and that’s what really makes the place what it is.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I’m not very good at not working, but I love anything horse related. I’m involved in horse-racing, I have an eventing horse, and I’m involved in the Irish Pony Society. Family is also very important to me.
I do enjoy relaxing over a lovely meal and a glass of wine.
Having your own castle must come in useful for that!
I’m probably not the best guest in my own castle, as I’m usually watching everything that’s going on around me!
Further Reading: Barberstown Castle Renovates Public Areas
