Irish Times awards free castle night to one lucky resident by mid-November

One resident of Ireland will receive a complimentary overnight stay for two at Barberstown Castle in Straffan, County Kildare, if they submit a correct entry before midnight on November 11, 2026.

The contest, run by The Irish Times, offers a single winner a deluxe room sharing, a dinner, and a breakfast. The property is a four-star hotel situated within a 13th-century castle, located approximately 30 minutes from Dublin.

Barberstown Castle features 61 bedrooms, including a recently renovated Presidential Suite, and spans 20 acres of private grounds. The hotel’s restaurant, The Barton Rooms, received the Good Food Ireland Hotel Restaurant of the Year award in 2025.

Entries are open to Irish residents aged 18 years and older. Employees of the promoter, their families, agents, and anyone professionally connected to the promotion are excluded from eligibility. Each person may submit only one entry.

Participants must provide a correct answer along with their name, email address, and phone number via the entry form. The promotion runs from October 28, 2026, through November 11, 2026. Entries received after the closing time are automatically disqualified.

The prize does not include drinks. The winner must use the stay before May 31, 2027. Dates falling on bank holidays and the Christmas period are excluded from the redemption window. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

The Irish Times will notify the winner by email. The individual must claim the prize within 30 days of notification. If the prize remains unclaimed after that period, it lapses, and the promoter may select a substitute winner.

The winner’s name and county will be published on The Irish Times website. The participant may be asked to take part in unpaid publicity related to the promotion. The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with an alternative of equal or greater value if unforeseen circumstances arise.

The decision of the promoter is final and binding. The Irish Times DAC acts as the promoter and data controller. The promotion is governed by Irish law, with the Courts of the Republic of Ireland holding exclusive jurisdiction.