Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
Vacations in Ireland are not complete without a visit, or even better, a stay in one of the many medieval castles located around the mountains and rugged shorelines—particularly if it’s a rainy day. Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club in County Clare, ancestral home of the O’Brien’s, Barons of Inchiquin, offers one such opportunity. A 15-minute drive from Shannon International Airport, the property is reached along a winding, tree-lined road that bypasses a boating lake and a golf course in the grounds. The grey-stoned, gothic-style castle comes into view over the tops of several undulating hills.
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
Like many castles in Ireland, Dromoland has an intriguing history with the O’Briens, purportedly being one of the few native Gaelic families of ‘royal blood,’ direct descendants of Brian Boroimhe (Boru), High King of Ireland in the 10th century. In 1543, Morrough, then chief of the O’Brien clan, was forced to surrender his royalty to King Henry VII, thus becoming the Barron of Inchiquin and Earl of Thomond. The Inchiquin family have lived in Dromoland for over one thousand years. The castle’s present main building, with its four 80-foot towers, was completed in 1826. In 1962, it underwent major renovation to turn it into a luxury hotel and has undergone ownership changes since.
Photo Credit: Columbia Hillen
A spacious horseshoe driveway in front of ivy-bordered stone reception steps permitted us to unload our baggage before entering a splendid lobby, with a painted wood ceiling, replete with the trappings of a bygone era. There was also two standing suits of armor complete with swords, a heavy wooden table with gargoyles carved on its sides, and wall tapestries in the reception area.
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
The lounge area, clothed in a plum-red and gold color scheme with matching curtains, walls and carpet, is, in effect, a large hallway with sumptuous armchairs and sofas, table lamps with bronze, porcelain and even bamboo stems and bases. Classic, gilt-framed oil portraits of barons and women of the Inchiquin family line the walls. An overall hunting theme is ably conveyed by paintings of horses and a series of trophies, mainly deer heads and horns.
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
The bar area, formerly a turret of the castle, features built-in bookshelves that now house the bar’s wine and liquor bottles. A charming collection of porcelain Staffordshire dogs adorn the room, each perched on its own individual shelf, spaced randomly at different heights around the walls. Above the door as you enter are a collection of Toby jugs and colorful porcelain barrels marked ‘gin,’ ‘port’ and ‘brandy’ behind the bar-shelf.
Photo Credit: Columbia Hillen
With the castle celebrating 50 years as a hotel, the gourmet restaurant, Earl of Thomond, was offering guests a Nostalgic Tasting Menu in addition to its standard à la carte options. Paired with French and Australian wines, the eight-course dinner was a culinary journey through some classic dishes revisited by the chef, such as prawn cocktail served with foie gras pate and smoked salmon mimosa; tournedos Rossini with truffle sauce in place of the traditional Madeira sauce; and filet of sole princess which was poached rather than pan-fried.
Photo Credit: Columbia Hillen
Our room was located on the second floor overlooking the front driveway. It consists of a combined spacious, airy bedroom and sitting room featuring patina 19th century French-style furniture, a light green central sofa and coffee table, round writing table with two chairs and a large free-standing wardrobe with a floral motif. The bathroom with a white stone-tiled floor is fitted with two wash-hand basins and a separate bath and shower (the jets are extremely strong).
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
Situated off-road on 410 acres of rolling woodland and feral lakes, the Dromoland demesne is a walker’s delight. However, it being rainy, we couldn’t fully enjoy the outdoor environment but did embark on a couple of explorations and were rewarded with several sightings of young deer among the thickets. The hotel makes full use of its landholdings with a range of activities offered to guests including clay pigeon shooting, golf, outdoor tennis, lake boating and archery, to name but a few.
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
Spending most of our time indoors enjoying the serene, atmosphere of the castle, we enjoyed a little pampering at the hotel’s spa and its large outdoor Jacuzzi sheltered under a canopy. The award-winning Spa at Dromoland deserves special mention. Housed in the main building, it is a haven of peace and quiet, with soft music, comfortable treatment rooms and a relaxation space decorated with abstract Celtic art, flickering candles and massage chairs. After treatments using both Irish-based Voya products as well as those of Pevonia, a U.S.- based company, they served a small plate containing a delightful mix of strawberries, blackberries and chocolate truffle, with both a small glass of fruit smoothie and an herbal tea.
Photo Courtesy of Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Club
The signature facial treatment, Lumafirm Lift and Glow Facial, is made even more enjoyable by the detailed knowledge offered by the therapists who explains the procedure. During your session, you’ll be treated to a cleansing using Enzymo-Sphérides Peeling Cream (encapsulated enzymes in micro-sphérides to eliminate impurities) and Lumafirm repair cream, containing anti-free radicals. I could have sworn my wife glowed in the dim light of the relaxing room afterwards, or maybe I was overly ecstatic following the combination organic oil and stone massage.
Dromoland Castle & Country Club is the kind of property that history buffs will really enjoy as it's walls have so many stories behind them. The landscape alone is reason to visit the castle but the real bonus is the great staff and services afforded to its guests.