Daphne and I travel often, to a variety of places, but it’s usually about the destination and not the accommodations. As a result, we generally stay in cheaper hotels and spend our money on activities. But, on this trip, we decided to splurge a little bit on a hotel, because staying overnight in a castle was a must-do on our trip to Ireland. After researching the many castles that offer overnight accommodations, we decided on Dromoland Castle.
Everything You Must Know About Staying at Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle is located in Newmarket on Fergus, in County Clare, which is on the west side of Ireland. Dromoland is a 5-star hotel that knows what 5-star really means. Everything from the initial gatehouse to the room service was 5-star. Although I’m going to give you a pros and cons list, I’ll warn you now that I don’t have a lot of cons.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Incredible customer service | Reasonably expensive |
| Excellent food options with 3 restaurants and room service | Not very ADA Friendly |
| A cocktail bar on site with a variety of drink options | Not local to large cities or activities |
| Lots of activities on the castle grounds | No public transportation options nearby |
| Beautiful castle grounds and rooms | |
| Family Friendly | |
| On-Site Spa, Pool, and nearby Fitness Center (with Free Shuttle) |
What is the Customer Service Like?
Impressive. They seemed to identify and respond to our needs before we even knew we wanted it. When we first arrived, we were met at the gatehouse by a gentleman in a suit and tie. He asked for our names and gave us directions to the reception entrance. Upon pulling into the circle driveway outside of reception we were met by two other staff who welcomed us by name. One took our car keys to park our car and brought our luggage to our room. The other gave us a tour of the hotel and our room and explained all the features of both.
They told us to “feel at home” and we did. We wandered the castle grounds and were pleasantly greeted by every staff member that we encountered. We had a drink in the cocktail lounge, got room service, and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. In every instance, we found the staff incredibly friendly and accommodating. There was even a need to reschedule one of our activities due to the weather and the staff member personally came to meet us and explain the reason for the rescheduling. He then worked with his team to get us scheduled for the next morning.
Beyond 24-hour room service, they leave a free newspaper on your door each morning, do room cleanings, and offer evening turn-down service. The in-room entertainment system included live tv, movies, radio, and information about the hotel. The TV also included the room service menu and more information on the activities at the castle.
Activities at Dromoland Castle
Although the castle is pretty remotely located, they balance that remoteness with a variety of on-site activities. Since they are offered as part of your stay, they can be automatically added to your hotel bill for ease of checking out. There are plenty of options, and the reception staff is willing and able to assist in booking any of these activities.
Falconry
This was the activity that we decided was our must-do. Although it had to be rescheduled once due to the weather, it was absolutely worth it. It was an opportunity to see these incredible birds and learn more about how they see, hear, hunt, and fly. Watching them land on our arms was a highlight of the experience. We ended our lesson with a tour of the falconry center and got to hold additional birds, including some owls.
Archery
We watched others participate in archery, despite the rain, they put up large umbrellas and participated anyway. Although there was only one archery target, there was an instructor who was working with a couple to teach them the basics of Archery.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
We had the opportunity to see the Horse-Drawn Carriage while we were walking around the castle grounds. The ride is just for your party. No need to share it with others. It includes a tour of the property, and I’m sure lots of stories from the driver. Everybody had stories. There are a couple of different lengths of rides based on how much you want to spend.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Although we’ve never tried this, we did get to see a few guys practicing at the range on the far end of the property. It’s fun to watch, and I’m sure fun to participate in. As with most of the activities at the castle, there was an instructor there to assist those new to the activity.
Spa
On the lower level of the castle, they have a full spa, with a variety of different treatment options. Although the prices are expensive, they are comparable to other spa prices. Services include facials, massages, and combination packages. Appointments are required, and they apparently book up quickly, so it may be a good idea to book them in advance of arrival.
Fitness Center / Pool
Although not directly on the property, there is a full fitness center and pool located at Dromoland Castle’s sister property, The Inn at Dromoland. The Inn is just a few minutes away, and the reception desk can arrange for a free shuttle to take you there and return you to the castle. The fitness center and pool are complimentary.
Golf
There is a full 18-hole golf course on the property, with a country club that includes a pro shop, restaurant, golf cart rentals, etc. We walked around parts of the course, and it’s a beautiful, well-maintained course. Beyond the golf course itself, they also have a driving range on the property. They also have golf carts for rent, but we most commonly saw golfers walking the course.
Jogging / Hiking Trails
With 450 acres of property, there are obviously a lot of trails to explore. Some fun little discoveries, like a little cave, if you’re looking around closely. We spent time on a variety of trails while exploring the grounds, some paved, and others just dirt paths through the woods. The property is meticulously maintained, and all of these walks were beautiful.
Gift Shop
Within the castle, there is a gift shop with items for purchase, including jewelry, purses, jackets, etc. It’s staffed by a shopkeeper during the day. But a note after she leaves indicates that the reception desk staff can open the shop after hours if you have additional shopping needs.
Additional Activities
There are just so many activities at the Dromoland Castle that I can’t talk about all of them, so here is a list of additional activities offered at the Castle. There is obviously no chance for you to get bored while staying at Dromoland Castle.
Additional activities include Horseback Riding, Bicycle Rentals, Go Kart Rentals, Fishing, Stand-up Paddle Boarding, a Kids Center, and Tennis.
What are the rooms at the Castle like?
They have a variety of different types of rooms at a variety of price points. Rooms range from suites to staterooms to deluxe rooms. Regardless of the type of room, the attention to detail is evident. We got one of the lower-class rooms, but it still included amenities such as a refrigerator, Nespresso coffee maker, writing desk, robes and slippers, towel warmers, and both a shower and a bathtub.
The bed was comfortable, the room was spacious, and the view out the window was of a courtyard with a fountain. The room was quiet, and the heating and air conditioning system worked well. We were in the older portion of the castle, built in the 1700s, but it was evident that they worked hard to maintain it. Even while we were there, we saw maintenance crews painting and fixing up the flowers in the gardens.
Although this hotel had a variety of different power outlets in every room, covering plugs from three countries, and USB outlets, most of Ireland doesn’t use the same plug as the United States. You can learn more about what kind of plug you need, and other important details about traveling to Ireland in our post about Common Questions when Visiting Ireland.
Dromoland’s Grounds
The 450 acres grounds were expansive. It includes an 18-course golf course, a driving range, a pond, hiking trails, and a walled garden. The castle first started welcoming guests in the 16th century. The grounds are well maintained and are obviously a source of pride for the resort. We roamed the grounds, and gardens, and even found a little cave. Even with all of that exploring, we still feel like we missed so much of the estate grounds.
Dining at Dromoland Castle
There are numerous options for dining at Dromoland Castle, part of what makes this a luxury stay.
The Earl of Thomond Dining Room
The Earl of Thomond is their primary dinner dining room, where dressing up is required. Although we didn’t do dinner at the Earl of Thomond, we did have our continental breakfast there, and it was incredible. With dozens of options, and both buffet and hot food a la carte options, we were most sad that we got full before trying everything. The staff was very attentive to our needs. We definitely enjoyed the beautiful views of the lake and golf course out the window.
The Cocktail Bar
An upscale little bar in the back of the castle that kind of has fancy library vibes. Although seating there was limited inside the bar, there was additional seating in the gallery just outside. We each ordered a drink and they definitely showed off their desire for flare and perfectionism. The drinks were well made, and mine even came with a puff of smoke coming out of the glass. Like everything else, the service was incredible and it was able to be billed back to the room.
The Gallery
Just outside of The Cocktail Bar, the Gallery hosts a daily afternoon tea. With a big selection of teas, coffees, and even signature cocktails, there is something for everybody to drink. They also have a selection of pastries, fruit cakes, and finger sandwiches. They have a children’s menu as well if you bring little ones along. They do recommend reservations, which the front desk can set up for you.
In-Room Dining
This is what we choose for our dinner during our stay. A big selection and options are available 24 hours a day. Of note, there is no physical menu, but you’ll find all of the choices using the television. Room service was quick to bring the food to us, and it came with everything we might need; plates, silverware, cups, and napkins. After dinner, a quick phone call back to the room service line and they sent somebody to pick up all of the dishes. We were impressed with the quality of the food and the options. And the ease of not having to leave our room for it. There was a twelve euro fee for room service, but that was fair considering how big the castle estate is and how far from the kitchen our room was located.
Worth noting, they also have “movie-night-in” boxes that include popcorn and snacks or a nacho plate. So, lots of options if you don’t want to leave your room and just enjoy the comfy accommodations.
Picnic Baskets
In addition to all of the on-site dining options, they also offer picnic baskets. Perfect for if you wanted to talk a walk on the grounds and have lunch outside. Although between the rain and not having enough time, we weren’t able to do this, we wanted to. Picnic basket contents ranged from sandwiches to salads to even an afternoon tea with scones and pastries. It’s a really beautiful estate and there are so many places that would have been perfect for a picnic lunch.
Fig-Tree Restaurant
Finally, the Country Club has the Fig-Tree Restaurant. It was, unfortunately, closed for renovation during our visit. We intended on having dinner there but were unable to. But, looking at the menu, it looked like a great place for lunch or dinner. They stated they expect the restaurant to be fully operational again by summer 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dromoland Castle
Is there Parking at the Castle?
There is a fairly large guest parking lot, but of course, we did not ever need to visit it. We pulled into the circle driveway outside of reception. The concierge parked our car for us and then brought it back to reception after we checked out. Parking is complimentary as well as the valet service.
Where is Dromoland Castle in Ireland?
Dromoland Castle is located in Newmarket on Fergus, which is in County Clare. Although it’s not located close to any other big cities, it’s worth the drive out of the way. It’s about an hour south of Galway, and a little under two hours from either Dublin or Cork. Even though it’s not conveniently located near the big cities, they have all of the amenities you might need on the grounds. So there really is no reason to leave the estate once you arrive.
Check out why Dublin is worth visiting here!
When is the best time to visit Dromoland Castle?
I would recommend visiting Dromoland Castle any time. Although Ireland often rains in the afternoon in the spring, scheduling your activities accordingly will ensure a good experience. The castle is more of a destination than most hotel stays, so you should plan a few days of your vacation just staying at the castle resort. You may be able to plan ahead and take advantage of some of their sales and get some good deals during the slower periods of the year.
Is Dromoland Castle a good romantic getaway?
Absolutely. Along with the 24-hour room service, a bath, and a shower, an on-site cocktail bar, the castle has beautiful grounds and lots of activities. To step up the romance even more, they offer pre-arrival amenities. Amenities include roses on the bed or champagne in the room upon arrival. The castle spa also includes couples massages for another romantic option.
Dromoland Castle’s Overall Experience
We had an incredible experience at Dromoland Castle. Between the incredible service, the plethora of activities, and the incredible food, we were continuously impressed by Dromoland Castle. We only stayed one night, but wished that we had scheduled more nights because we were so impressed by the experience. Although it rained a lot (which is obviously outside of the control of the hotel), the staff were very accommodating to ensure that we had the best experience possible.
We tried to experience as much as possible of the castle during our stay; the food, the drinks, the activities, and the beautiful castle grounds. And they made it a point to think of everything, including an umbrella in our room so we could continue to explore the grounds, even in the rain.
Comfortable beds, large bathrooms, warm bathrobes and slippers, and room service made us not want to leave our room. Beautiful castle grounds, incredibly friendly and helpful staff, and lots of activities made us want to spend all of our time out of the room. We definitely needed more time at Dromoland Castle to fully experience everything that there was to offer.
In Conclusion: Is Dromoland Castle in Ireland Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Our only regret is that we didn’t plan more time to stay at the castle. Although during our stay, it rained a lot, and one of the on-site restaurants was closed for renovations, they made up for it with amazing hospitality and services. They had solutions for every potential problem and tried to anticipate our needs and meet them before we even knew we needed them. We were highly impressed with the staff, the grounds, the activities, and the entire experience.
I can assure you that the next time we find ourselves in Ireland, we’ll find ourselves at Dromoland Castle again. If you want to have the same incredible stay that we had, book your rooms here.
Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. Meaning that at no additional cost to you, We earn a small commission if you make a purchase. We only recommend companies we've used and trust and the income goes to keeping our site running and ad free. Read our full disclosures and privacy policy here.
