Is this where Meghan and Harry are honeymooning? Rumours swirl that royals are staying at luxury Irish hotel; Royal couple said to be staying at 13th century Ashford Castle - once voted the 'world's best hotel'.

Byline: Neil Murphy

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are believed to be honeymooning at a five-star hotel in the west of Ireland.

Rumours are swirlingthat the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staying at Ashford Castle, a luxury estate once voted the 'best hotel in the world'

Locals reported that the grounds of the hotel were on lockdown and that helicopters were circling overhead.

A heavy security presence was reported and visitors were unable to enter the sprawling grounds of the castle, located in the town of Cong, County Mayo.

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One person wrote on Twitter: "Harry and Meghan are rumoured to be at Ashford Castle in Mayo, Ireland! I have family living near the castle and they've told me that security is tight with the castle and grounds closed to all, which is unusual."

Another local said: "No one told me price Harry was popping by for tea!!! The newly wed Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staying down the road from me . Everything is secured ...... Ashford Castle Closed completely to public."

Ashford castle

Ashford Castle is considered one of the world's premier luxury hotels and is regularly visited by celebrities and other wealthy guests.

Rooms in the 13th-century building range from £600 to £4,000 per night.

Pierce Brosnan is a regularly guest of the hotel - which has hosted the wedding of golfer Rory McIllroy and his American wife Erica Stoll.

A third said: "So the duke & duchess of Sussex are staying down the road from me . Everything is secured ...... Ashford Castle Closed completely to public."

Another added: "The first time I go to ashford castle and we couldn't get into the actually castle and around it because the ROYALS are within..."

When the hotel was contacted, a spokesperson told The Mail it was booked out exclusively for a number of days and was therefore not open to the public.

In May it as rumoured that the royal newlyweds wouldhave a "mini-moon" in Ireland.

Sources said the secret plan for the one night stay here was put in place.

For Harry, 33, it would be his first visit to the Republic of Ireland - but Meghan, 36, previously visited as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014.

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Ashford Castle on Ireland's the West Coast

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The castle is situeated in Cong, Co. Mayo

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

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Celebrities Pierce Brosnan and Rory McIllroy have stayed the night

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Meghan Markle