Barberstown Castle Gives Away One Free Christmas Stay

The Irish Times has launched a competition to give one reader a free festive break at Barberstown Castle in County Kildare. The winner will receive an overnight stay in a deluxe room for two, including breakfast and a dinner service. The prize excludes drinks and bank holidays. The promotion runs from October 28 to midnight on November 11, 2026.

Barberstown Castle is a four-star hotel located in a 13th-century structure in Straffan, 30 minutes from Dublin. The property contains 61 bedrooms, including a recently renovated Presidential Suite. The hotel grounds cover 20 acres. The Barton Rooms restaurant at the castle won the Good Food Ireland Hotel Restaurant of the Year award in 2025. The venue is currently promoting a Christmas season featuring log fires and dining options.

To enter the competition, residents of Ireland aged 18 or older must submit a correct answer to a specific question via an online form. Entries require the participant's name, email address, and phone number. Employees of The Irish Times, their families, and professional agents are excluded from eligibility. One entry is allowed per person. Entries received after the November 11 deadline will be disqualified. The promotion is governed by Irish law.

The prize must be redeemed before May 31, 2027. The Christmas period is excluded from the redemption window. The stay is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. If the winner fails to claim the prize within 30 days of notification, the offer lapses, and the promoter may select a substitute winner. The winner's name and county will be published on The Irish Times website. The winner may participate in unpaid publicity for the promotion.

The Irish Times DAC, based at 24 to 28 Tara Street in Dublin 2, acts as both the promoter and data controller. The company reserves the right to void, suspend, cancel, or amend the promotion if necessary. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the promoter may substitute the prize with an alternative of equal or greater value. The promoter is not liable for indirect losses or network failures that prevent entry receipt. Proof of sending an entry does not constitute proof of receipt.

Winners will be notified by email. The decision of the promoter is final and binding in all matters, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome. Personal information provided by entrants will be processed according to the privacy policy at irishtimes.com. The competition is limited to residents of Ireland. Organized groups and automated computer entries are not accepted. Incomplete or illegible entries will also be rejected.

The hotel offers various dining experiences throughout the year, with a focus on Irish produce. The festive season at the castle includes celebratory gatherings and drinks in the Garden Bar. The property markets itself as a destination for romantic breaks and special celebrations. The recent renovation of the Presidential Suite adds to the accommodation options. The award-winning restaurant continues to operate during the festive period.

Potential entrants can book the hotel directly by calling (01) 628 8157 or visiting the website barberstowncastle.ie. The competition entry form is available online. The prize includes a bed and breakfast package for two people sharing a room. The dinner service is part of the package, but beverages are not included. The promotion ends at midnight on November 11, 2026. All entries must be received by the promoter by that time.