DROMOLAND CASTLE is to undergo a €55m redevelopment in November.
In what is Dromoland Castle’s biggest project in its sixty three years as a luxury hotel, the €55m transformation of the sixteenth century property focuses on accommodation, public spaces, wellness, culinary concepts, and cultural programming.
There will be a six month closure between November 2026 and June 2027 of the five star resort in Newmarket-on-Fergus as part of the redevelopment. Dromoland’s eighteen-hole championship golf course, club house and leisure centre will remain open along with Dromoland’s private lodges.
Set for a July 2027 opening is a new 3,200-square-foot glass-enclosed atrium. This aspires to reimagine the historic courtyard as the new social heart of the castle.
Guestrooms and suites will increase Dromoland Castle’s offering from 96 to 121 rooms and suites, complemented by the estate’s two private lodge experiences. The redesigned accommodation is to combine contemporary luxury with a strong sense of place.
Situated a five minute walk from the Castle is the newly created Walled Garden Collection which will introduce thirteen spacious guestrooms within the converted former stables. The collection will have a private retreat, with own-door entrances and patio areas providing a sense of seclusion and connection to the estate.
Adding a further sixteen guestrooms is the new Heritage Collection, this includes five suites, occupying a newly constructed floor opposite the castle’s main entrance. Select rooms will feature private balconies overlooking the estate.
Interior will be redesigned in all public areas in the hotel. The Brian Ború Hall, the hotel ballroom and event space will be refurbished plus two new meeting rooms will be added for corporate and group events.
Recently appointed executive chef, Kevin Fleming is to introduce new dining concepts to Dromoland. A new grill restaurant will be centred around an open show kitchen and live-fire grill. The menu is to showcase the quality and provenance of Ireland’s finest ingredients. As part of this commitment, the third Walled Garden will be brought back into purposeful use through a new Dromoland Farm concept, growing produce for the estate’s kitchens and strengthening the connection between Dromoland’s land, gardens and table.
Earl of Thomond, Dromolan’d signature restaurant will return to a theatrical era of fine dining, with refurbished surroundings providing the stage for a renewed programme of tableside experiences. Crêpes Suzette flambéed tableside, Pressed Duck and an elegant cheese service are among the timeless classics on the menu.
Wellness will become a key focus in Dromoland Castle’s next chapter. New wellness rituals designed to support sleep, recovery, emotional wellbeing and vitality will be unveiled in a new thermal expansion of the award-winning Castle Spa. Each will combine advanced thermal therapies, bespoke therapist-led rituals and advanced technology to create personalised, multi-sensory experiences.
As part of the phased development, two glass-fronted saunas will debut on the shores of Lough Dromoland, the property’s private lake, creating a natural connection between thermal experiences and wild swimming.
Traditional pursuits such as falconry, archery, boating and whisky tastings will be retained. Cultural programming will expand with experiences rooted in Ireland’s history, craftsmanship and countryside traditions. Guests of all ages can sign up for Irish language lessons, embroidery workshops celebrating Irish textile traditions, art classes and gun dog demonstrations.
Resort General Manager Mark McSorley said, “This landmark redevelopment will honour what makes Dromoland extraordinary while opening a new chapter for the estate. The ambition is not to change the essence of Dromoland, but to reveal the full breadth of what it can be – a place where the Castle and the estate are experienced as one. From new dining experiences, a renewed focus on wellness, to beautifully reimagined guestrooms and cultural experiences, every guest touch point will be considered in a way that feels entirely relevant to all generations of guests”.
Last December, plans for “significant upgrades” 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 were lodged with Clare County Council. The green light for the “Ryder Cup inspired” multi-million euro upgrade was received in February.
