*Photograph: Brian Morrisson
DROMOLAND Castle Holdings Limited has lodged plans for a new purpose-built golf maintenance hub at the Dromoland Castle Estate in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
The proposed development would provide space for golf course maintenance, workshops, storage and staff facilities at the estate’s existing farmyard.
The plans include a new maintenance yard, parking for 35 staff cars, including two accessible spaces and seven EV charging spaces, along with 15 bicycle spaces.
A second entrance from the existing road to the south is also proposed to serve the farmyard and delivery area.
Under the previously approved plans, the existing farmyard buildings were due to be altered to accommodate the golf maintenance operation.
However, the new application proposes keeping those buildings in agricultural use and instead constructing a separate maintenance building.
The planning report says the existing buildings could not efficiently accommodate the day-to-day operation of the golf course and that a purpose-built facility would provide a more suitable solution.
An existing shed would also be demolished to make way for additional staff parking.
The application forms part of a wider programme of works at Dromoland Castle and Estate, for which Clare County Council granted planning permission earlier this year.
The previously approved plans include 25 additional guest rooms, spa works, a restaurant and event facilities.
Dromoland Castle is a protected structure, although the castle itself is not part of the current application. The planning report states that the proposed development would not have a material or visual impact on the castle or its setting.
A submission or observation in relation to the application can be made in writing to the planning authority for a prescribed fee of €20.
This must be done within five weeks of the planning application being received by the authority.
The application was received and validated by Clare County Council on July 31, 2026.
Submissions and observations can be made to the council by September 3, with a decision due on September 24.
–Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
