A New Reason to Visit Ashford Castle: Paula Pastry in the Drawing Room

Few places do indulgence quite like Ashford Castle, and this May, the legendary Irish estate introduces a new reason to linger. Paula Pastry in the Drawing Room is a new pâtisserie experience created by renowned pastry chef Paula Stakelum, offering guests a chance to enjoy her signature creations in one of the castle’s most elegant settings.

Served in The Drawing Room, with views across the manicured lawns and out towards Lough Corrib, this experience is designed for slow afternoons and thoughtful details, resulting in a deep connection to place. Whether your clients are staying at the castle or visiting for the day, it offers a delicious new way to experience Ashford Castle.

Paula at the Drawing Room

A Gentle, Thoughtful Start

The experience begins as lightly as it ends. Guests are welcomed with a refreshing estate‑preserved crab-apple iced tea, followed by a warm wild-garlic sugar brioche, freshly baked and subtly aromatic. From the very first bite, it’s clear that the balanced, seasonal flavors have been carefully considered and are rooted in the estate itself.

Paula’s Trio

A Celebration of Seasonality and Craft

At the heart of the experience is a beautifully presented trio of cakes, each one crafted by Paula and inspired by the changing seasons at Ashford Castle. Drawing on ingredients and botanicals found on the estate and surrounding countryside, the pastries reflect Paula’s distinctive style: precise, elegant, and quietly playful. Expect creations such as Legend Chocolate with estate wood sorrel, Dulce Choux, and Strawberry & Woodruff Shortcake, each offering a different expression of flavor and texture. To complete the experience, the pastries are served with a glass of Lanson Champagne, adding a celebratory lift to the afternoon.

Paula’s Legend Chocolate with Estate Wood Sorrel

A Personal Touch to Remember the Day

As a final gesture, guests are presented with a beautifully wrapped Legend Chocolate snack bar to take away, a thoughtful memento from Paula Pastry herself, and a small reminder of an afternoon well spent long after leaving the castle gates.

A Fresh Take on a Classic Tradition

Paula Pastry in the Drawing Room is not intended to replace Ashford Castle’s traditional Afternoon Tea, which continues to be served in the historic Connaught Room. Instead, it offers a contemporary alternative: a more intimate, pâtisserie‑led experience that places flavor, craftsmanship, and storytelling at the forefront.

Notably, this concept marks a first for an Irish hotel, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy haute pâtisserie as a standalone experience, something usually reserved for specialist pastry boutiques.

Wild Garlic Sugar Brioche

When to Experience It

Paula Pastry in the Drawing Room launches in May and will be available Thursday to Sunday, with sittings at 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM, running through November. As the seasons change, so, too, will the ingredients and inspirations behind the pastries, making it a rewarding experience to return to at different times of year. The experience is open to both residents and non‑residents, with advanced booking essential.

Why Your Clients Will Love It

For travelers who seek experiences that feel authentic, unhurried, and beautifully executed, Paula Pastry in the Drawing Room is a perfect fit. It’s an invitation to slow down, take in the surroundings, and experience Ashford Castle through flavor and seasonality. Whether enjoyed as part of a longer stay or as a special reason to visit the estate, this new offering captures the quiet magic that makes Ashford Castle so memorable, one elegant bite at a time.