Situated high above the river Glyde on lands extending over 17 acres, the 17th-century ivy-clad castle was built by the Bellingham family, descendants of a captain in Oliver Cromwell's army. Local legend has it that King William's army camped in the grounds on the night before the famous Battle of the Boyne.

The property, measuring 2,416sq m (26,000sq ft), features 21 well-appointed bedroom suites, two banqueting halls, two conference rooms and a large bar and lounge.

Inside the hotel, ancient grandeur meets contemporary comfort. The spacious bar has an impressive fireplace and looks out through elegant Georgian windows on the extensive grounds and, off in the distance, the meandering river.

For 40 years Paschal Keenan and his father John have managed the landmark hotel. "The Bellingham family still lived here up until 1957. My father bought the property from the Land Commission 10 years later. It had been empty for several years at that stage. The gates were locked and grass was growing up through the driveway. He had to have electricity and central heating installed and he completely renovated the place."

The refurbished hotel was soon famous for its banqueting facilities and for hosting weddings and other large functions.

These days, the hotel regularly caters for wedding parties with up to 400 guests. And the restaurant, which seats 80 diners comfortably, is popular with locals as well as hotel guests. "For years now we've held a barbecue out on the lawns in summer. It's one of the social events of the year around here and up to 3,000 people attend. And every year in August the Louth Agricultural Show takes place on our grounds.

It's a huge attraction and always manages to draw the crowds.

This year it takes place on 19 August.

"In 1985 we extended the hotel and added a function room. For 10 years we held weekly discos there which attracted crowds of between 800 and 900 people."

The entrance to the hotel is via a stone tower and gate lodge built by Sir Henry Bellingham in 1880. A long straight avenue flanked by tall broadleafs leads to a large forecourt with ample parking and landscaped flowerbeds and shrubberies.

Stone steps lead from the grounds down to the water's edge and to a weir with footbridges and walkways.

Down the years the hotel's tranquil surrounds and relative seclusion have proved a regular attraction for some distinguished visitors. Poet Seamus Heaney is a frequent visitor and Belfast writer Brian Keenan often drops in for a cup of coffee.

One day, in 1980, four anonymous young men with ambitions to make it in the music business stepped off a bus and walked into the reception area. "They asked me if it would be okay to take some photos in the grounds for the cover of their album. I didn't recognise U2. But I remember them as mannerly young lads. I told them to go ahead and they took some shots down by the river."

Earlier this year, Paschal's father John decided to retire from the business. "It was 1967 when he first moved here. In many ways it seems a lifetime ago. And that's the reason we've finally decided to call it a day, " Paschal says.

The hotel is situated between Drogheda and Dundalk and just minutes from the Dublin-Belfast M1 motorway. Dundalk town is currently experiencing phenomenal retail and residential growth and is regarded as one of the country's development hotspots. Bellingham castle is listed on the Record of Protected Structures under the current County Development Plan.

The lowdown

Address: Bellingham Castle Hotel, Castlebellingham, Co Louth
Details: 17th century castle hotel on 17 acres comprising 21 bedroom suites, including bridal suite, bar and lounge, restaurant and dining room, two banqueting halls, two conference rooms and commercial kitchen
Highlights: This delightful property has charm, character and history in abundance, and a guest list that reads like a who's who of Irish cultural and musical talent
Price: 8m
Agent: Savills HOK 01-663 4350