*Dromoland Castle.
FIVE STAR Dromoland Castle has unveiled plans for “significant upgrades to its hotel and grounds” including a cellar speakeasy bar, lakeside sauna cabins, new bedrooms, a restaurant and bar extension – and a new roost for the protected Lesser Horseshoe Bat.
The masterplan for the future development of the Castle Resort is contained in Phase One of the scheme which has been lodged with Clare County Council.
A planning report lodged by Associate Director at Tom Phillips + Associates, Lizzie Donnelly states that the “significant upgrades” reinforces Dromoland Castle’s position “as a world-class luxury destination in County Clare, with exceptional recreational amenities and enhanced potential for growth”.
General Manager of Dromoland Castle Resort, Mark McSorley has confirmed that the resort “only has a few rooms left” for the duration of the Ryder Cup in September 2027 at Adare Manor in Limerick and in her 46 page planning report, Ms Donnelly states that “the timing of these works is driven by the Ryder Cup’s return to Ireland in 2027”.
The report states that the proposals include “the addition of new outdoor pursuits to host and accommodate guests for the Ryder Cup 2027”.
In her report, Ms Donnelly states that “the Ryder Cup will bring visitors from across the globe to the west of Ireland, creating extraordinary demand for accommodation and supporting infrastructure”.
Ms Donnelly states that “the economic impact of hosting the Ryder Cup will extend well beyond the grounds of Adare Manor Golf Club”.
She states that “given the limited spectator capacity at Adare Manor, many attendees will need to be accommodated in nearby areas. In this context, Dromoland Castle, due to its close proximity, presents an ideal location for hosting guests”.
As part of phase one, Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd is seeking planning permission to convert existing stables into 13 additional bedrooms, the installation of three sauna huts on a lake island accessed by a foot-bridge along with an enhanced wellness area.
Ms Donnelly states that “Dromoland Castle and Estate recognise the opportunity presented by the Ryder Cup and are fully committed to completing the proposed works in time for this global sporting event”.
Mr McSorley said on Monday “at Dromoland Castle, we are deeply committed to preserving the timeless charm that makes Dromoland Castle so special, while continuously enhancing the guest experience”.
He said, “These planned developments, while at an early stage, represent an exciting chapter in our story one that honours our history, while ensuring that Dromoland remains a world-class luxury destination for future generations”.
The planning submission by Ms Donnelly states that the proposed development will enable Dromoland Castle “to reach its full recreational and tourism offering potential, thereby strengthening County Clare’s position within the tourism sector and contributing to increased local and regional economic activity”.
The submission states that the forthcoming Ryder Cup acts as a key driver for these improvements.
The report states that the proposed development “is designed to secure the active and sustainable use and restoration of the Gardener’s Cottage and Stables building, to elevate the hotel and its associated facilities, realising the full potential of Dromoland as a world-class luxury destination with exceptional recreational amenities”.
Phase 2 of the masterplan is to include a new cellar speakeasy bar, new wet spa facility, restaurant and bar extension, new atrium and extension of the East Wing to comprise new hotel rooms.
On the conversion of the stables into 13 visitor rooms, the planning report states that an ecological assessment of the site confirmed bat activity of Lesser Horseshoe Bats within the stables building.
The report states that due to the conservation status of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat a new alternative roosting provision for bats within stables building is proposed.
The report states that 70 sq m bat loft is proposed at first floor level of the stables building, with associated entry and inspection access, to provide a new alternative roosting location for bats within the stables building.
The three sauna huts to be located on an island at Dromoland Lake will sit on a floating platform on a concrete slab, offering guests “a unique and immersive wellness experience in a natural setting”.
A decision is due on the application at the end of January.
