*Photograph: Brian Arthur
Clare County Council has given the green light to the first phase of a ‘2027 Ryder Cup inspired’ multi-million euro upgrade to the hotel and grounds at the five star Dromoland Castle Resort in Co Clare.
The owners of the luxury resort in Newmarket on Fergus are planning “significant upgrades to its hotel and grounds” that include a cellar speakeasy bar, lakeside sauna cabins, new bedrooms, a restaurant and bar extension and a new roost for the protected Lesser Horseshoe Bat.
A planning report lodged by Associate Director at Tom Phillips + Associates, Lizzie Donnelly has told the Council 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”.
Resort General Manager of Dromoland Castle Resort, Mark McSorley recently 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
The planning report 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”.
In her report, Ms Donnelly stated 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, Clare County Council has granted planning permission subject to nine conditions to Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd 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.
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.
Dromoland Castle has lodged a separate planning application for Phase 2 of the masterplan that includes 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.
That application remains before the Council for consideration and no objections have been lodged against either phase.
The first phase includes three sauna huts to be located on an island at Dromoland Lake and will sit on a floating platform on a concrete slab, offering guests “a unique and immersive wellness experience in a natural setting”.
