*Dromoland Castle.
FIVE-STAR resort Dromoland Castle is to spend around €5m on wages when retaining all permanent staff on the payroll during a six month closure of the hotel to facilitate a ’2027 Ryder Cup inspired’ €55m upgrade.
On Monday, the Newmarket-on-Fergus hotel closed its doors to allow what General Manager, Mark McSorley described as “the beginning of a significant programme of redevelopment and enhancement”.
Chief Financial Officer at the resort, Joe Hughes confirmed that all permanent staff laid off from normal duties will be retained on the pay-roll during the temporary closure to May 2027.
He said that the cost to Dromoland of paying the wages to the staff concerned would be ‘circa €5m’.
Hughes said that “All permanent staff will be redeployed, some to the Rine Hotel, some to the Fig Tree & Golf Club, some working for community organisations such as Obair and some will be re-trained”.
The upgrade includes the addition of 16 bedrooms in the East Wing of Dromoland Castle, the conversion of 13 stable buildings into accommodation units; the addition of new Food & Beverage outlets in the Castle and on the grounds, expanding the offering for health and wellness travellers with upgrades to Spa and Leisure facilities.
A planning report on the scheme lodged by Associate Director at Tom Phillips + Associates, Lizzie Donnelly told Clare County Council that “the timing of these works is driven by the Ryder Cup’s return to Ireland in 2027”.
Mr McSorley said that the resort’s 18-hole championship course will continue to welcome members and visitors while The Fig Tree Restaurant on the resort grounds will be remaining open as normal.
Ahead of the €55m spend, Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd this year issued 110,000 ordinary shares raising €21.72m.
The temporary closure coincides with new accounts lodged by Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd showing that pre-tax profits last year increased by 43pc to €2.99m on the back of record revenues.
New consolidated accounts filed by Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd show that the profits rose as revenues rose by 9.5 percent to €36.6m.
The revenues also include the performance of recently rebranded The Rine Hotel, formerly the Inn at Dromoland.
Mr McSorley said on Monday that the average room rate at Dromoland Castle at peak season last year rose to just under €900.
Room income last year increased by 8.5 percent to €19.99 million while food and drink income increased by 11 percent to €12.6m. Golf, leisure, shop and spa revenues totalled €3.38m.
Mr McSorley confirmed it was a record year revenue wise. He said, “2025 was a very positive year with a turnover of €36.6m, up 9.5% year on year”.
He said, “Growth reflected higher castle occupancy and room rates, alongside improved The Rine Hotel occupancy”.
In 2026, Mr McSorley said that current-year revenue is up 3 percent, although costs remain under pressure. “In addition, we will be trading two less months with the closure”.
Mr McSorley said that the US market “remains our dominant market during the summer period with that window now extending wider from end of spring into early autumn”.
He said, “We have also seen positive growth and interest from Canada, the UK and APAC (Asia Pacific) region which is encouraging to see and something we hope to build on”.
Operating profits increased by 43 percent to €3.47m and interest charges of €479,924 reduced profits to a pre-tax profit of €2.99m.
The profits last year take account of non-cash depreciation costs of €3.34m.
Numbers employed decreased from 472 to 454 though staff costs rose from €13.54m to €15.1m.
At the end of December last, shareholder funds totalled €29.42m that included accumulated profits of €13.54m. Cash funds increased from €4.49m to €5.98m.
Mr McSorley states that the temporary closure “also presents a valuable opportunity for our team to give back to the community that has long been part of Dromoland’s story”.
He said: “He said that “a number of meaningful initiatives are being planned, from supporting local community groups and charitable projects to enhancing the estate’s walking trails and pathways. These efforts reflect our enduring commitment to our local community, ensuring that even as we invest in Dromoland’s future, we continue to make a positive contribution to the people and places around us”.
