A closer look at Ashford Castle: Rory McIlroy's show-stopping wedding venue

But it wasn't always gourmet breakfasts, luxury spas and celebrity soireés for the property formerly owned by the Guinness family.

The 13th century castle has seen many highs and lows in its years and after suffering several setbacks during a particularly rocky recession, the private estate bounced back stronger than ever to become "one of Irish tourism's finest assets".

An epic €75m restoration in 2015 brought the magical setting back to its former glory, and this year the castle was awarded one of the most prestigious titles in Irish hospitality when it was named hotel of the year at the annual AA Hospitality Awards.

“Ashford Castle is one of Irish tourism’s finest assets,” said AA's Director of Consumer Affairs Conor Faughnan, who hailed the five-star as one of the world's finest.

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Epic Matrimonies, Epic Movies

Rory McIlroy and fiancée Erica Stoll's wedding is by no means the first swanky celebration the castle will play host to: it has also seen the beginning of several other A-list love stories including Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye's, who were married there in 2001, and Westlife member Shane Filan's and childhood sweetheart Gillian Walsh, who tied the knot in the castle two years later.

The castle and the quiet village of Cong have also been the backdrop to many fictional love stories too.

Americans fell in love with the Ireland of John Ford's The Quiet Man, which John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara filmed in Cong in 1952. The village now welcomes thousands of tourists every month who come to visit the movie-themed museums and take in the landscape that made such a stunning backdrop for the drama.

As for Rory and Erica, they are said to value the peace and privacy of Ashford Castle and it obviously holds a special place in their hears having celebrated New Year's Eve in its serene surroundings for the past two years.

Thomas Ryan, a local butcher, told the Irish Examiner the golfer has become a familiar and welcome visitor.

“Rory McIlroy comes to the village," said Ryan, "and he would be down in O’Connor’s pub there. Some of the young people might be following him for autographs, but nobody is plaguing him. They know he is here for a break and we are well used to that."

The couple are reported to have booked out both the castle's private Hideaway Cottage and the Presidential Suite for a full week, as well as all the rooms and suites within the castle for a number of days.

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