Dromoland Castle Hotel

We absolutely loved our visit to Dromoland Castle and could not recommend it enough. The staff were warm and friendly upon arrival and were fantastic throughout. The experiences we had were so much fun - archery and sporting clays and a bike ride around the grounds for a couple of us; golf for the other two. (The parkland course was magnificent and very challenging) We didn’t take advantage of the spa but the workout room was well equipped and easily accessible. We also ate really well. If you’re looking for a more casual and less expensive dining option we liked the Fig Tree restaurant (inside the golf club) and if you want real indulgence, then splurge at the Earl of Thurmond restaurant inside the castle. The meals we had at both were delicious. Breakfast every morning was also a treat with a large assortment of options. ||The rooms were great too. Large bathrooms, comfy beds and in our case, the windows in our room at the top of the turret offered us expansive views of the grounds. (Ask for room 501. The stairs are worth it) ||All in all, Dromoland Castle is a must visit if you’re headed to the Emerald Isle.

Excellent service, my travel mate was a bit sick for a little while, and the staff seemed to genuinely care. They are very friendly and social, and also very helpful and hard working. The castle was also very well cared for and clean. The activities were very fun. The grounds were also beautiful.

Third time staying here and it still feels like a proper treat. I was up from Kinsale on my own to meet some college friends, and based myself in one of the Queen Anne courtyard rooms. Big space, really comfortable bed, and nicely done interiors — not over the top, just spot-on in terms of comfort and style.||One of the perks this time was discovering the leisure centre over in the golf club building. Had a great workout one morning, followed by a swim – ideal way to clear the head before breakfast. Speaking of which, the breakfast here is unreal. Genuinely the best I’ve had anywhere – loads of choice, top quality.||Because it was raining nearly non-stop, I was glad to find the tunnel that connects the courtyard to the castle itself – no wet run across the gravel for dinner. Staff were brilliant across the board – always someone around, always helpful, but never in your face.||Dinner was excellent too – proper food, but not fussy. You could go all out or just graze a bit. The room had a big newly-refurbed bathroom that felt like something you'd find in a fancy spa.||I managed the falconry and a carriage ride even in the pouring rain – both well worth doing. Had a great chat with the resident genealogist as well. Clay shooting had to be called off with the weather, but sure you can’t plan for everything.||All in all, a class spot. Would happily head back again, rain or shine.

Great service and food let down by a disappointing room and a computer glitch. We had booked a Discover Dromoland package that included breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant. The package cost around €1000 for one night only. ||We confirmed our stay as requested via the email prompt two days before our arrival. On the day of our arrival at about 13:00, we received an email to say our reservation had been cancelled! Having phoned them, they confirmed this had been sent in error but our dinner reservation had gone missing so they moved us to an earlier time. In the end, they honoured the original time as the error was on their part.||We were assigned room 502 which was at the very top of the tallest tower - 100 stairs up from the entrance to our room and no lift. The final 50 stairs were up a narrow staircase that gave me vertigo. The room was far too small for all the furniture that had been packed into it. We could barely move. The furniture was cheap wood effect and the bed very uncomfortable. You couldn’t open the windows and despite the air conditioning it felt very claustrophobic. ||On the positive side, the service was excellent, as was the dinner in the main restaurant. We also enjoyed listening to the harp player and the live music in the bar. ||Beware this is a massive hotel, although it doesn’t feel corporate. However for the price we paid I expected more.

We, and 29 Members of our Family from around the world, gathered here and spent the most exciting and memorable weekend in these wonderful historic surroundings. The Castle is clearly the No. 1 Hotel in all of Ireland and in the top 3 in all of Europe. The friendliness and obliging nature of all of the staff is exceptional. Each of us was treated like royalty. The food, wines and service at all of our meals were of an unparalleled standard. After heavenly nights’ sleep in beautiful bedroom suites, the breakfast buffet in the Earl of Thomond Restaurant, serving everything you could possibly wish for, including Burren Smokehouse Smoked Salmon and the crispiest bacon ever, was extremely generous. Our dinner at the Fig Tree Restaurant was delicious, as were the accompanying French wines. Of note here were the Paul Nicolle, Chablis 1er Cru and the Jean-Baptiste Ponsot, Rully 1er Cru “Montpalais” from the Côte Chalonnaise, the latter of which was a complete surprise to some of us. The service was great. We were engaged the next day in fun-filled activities, such as falconry, archery, clay shooting, horse and carriages rides, go-cart riding, boating, fishing and of course, golf played on the most incredible renowned golf course! The historic walled garden, which contains every cottage garden plant imaginable and which is alive with foraging bumble bees, is well worth a visit. The most exceptional event though was our Birthday Celebration Dinner that was held in the Terrace Room. We began with Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne and delicious canapes served outside on the lawn. Once all the children family members had gone to bed, we returned to the Terrace Room to experience a four-course food extravaganza accompanied by incredible Italian wines, followed by fantastic dancing and ending with a conga line which proceeded to the Cocktail Bar. Great fun was had by all. This was a never-to-be-forgotten experience and our sincere gratitude goes to all those involved.

Our family and young children arrived in July to this lovely castle. We were so warmly greeted by the entire staff including Devin who introduced us to the property. We stayed in the lodge which is a house on the hotel grounds- a superb option if you are traveling with a number of people. The lodge was stocked with essentials and the housekeeping was excellent. Devin arranged a pick up for dinner though we used our golf carts the rest of the stay. The breakfasts were great and with superb service. Dinners were excellent, again with superb service and food. I am spoiled now. We had lunch and cocktails in the bar which is a cozy place and the kids loved the hot chocolate with marshmallows. All the staff were amazing and so nice to our children. We went fishing on the lake with Clem which was so much fun-Clem has so many stories he will keep you entertained- we went two days. The kids did archery with Dave and had a great time- he was an excellent and very kind instructor. We played golf on the beautiful course, and went swimming at the indoor pool. The grounds are amazing as well as the castle. This was a very memorable stay- a beautiful place, with the nicest people. Hope to return.

We stayed in the Red Mary room for our trip which looked out onto the lake on the first level. The service and accommodations were spectacular. There are so many activities for kids. We did archery, fishing, horseback riding off property at Castlefergus Equestrian center, go carts, played a little tennis, etc. I visited the spa on a cancellation and it was the most comfortable bed + massage. The afternoon tea was specactular and the breakfast was fit for a king. We enjoyed most of our lunches on the property in the game room and then ate at the golf course restaurant for dinner. My only mistep was cancelling our dinner reservation and I couldn't get another but that wasn't their fault. Any request was met with graciousness. There is so much history here and its wonderful to take the horse carriage tour to see the entire property. The Temple of Mercury where the horse is buried is so special. It's worth the money!

Our second stay here, luxurious hospitality. We stayed in a Queen Anne courtyard room, plenty spacious and furnished with great care as to comfort and aesthetics. We were pleased to discover we could travel to the castle (main) building underground for meals because it was quite rainy. I don’t know what the employee/guest ratio is but it seems to be quite high! Whether at reception, the bellmen, bar service or dining, there were always plenty of people to help. The bathrooms are very large and appear recently re-done. Food was excellent at dinner, easy to order a full meal or just bits. The breakfast is the best we have seen anywhere. We availed ourselves of the falconry, a carriage ride (on a day of incessant rain) and a meeting with their genealogist. The clay shooting had to cancel due to rain.

It's a Wonderful Castle resort - nr Shannon airport, yet a world away. It has lush grounds and everything from great fishing to falconry and full spa for men & women. Rooms are very well appointed w/ Molton brown products. Bathrobes and slippers , nice full Irish breakfast either breakfast in bed or dinning room. Def 5*.both offer a Baronial feel and each is very unique. If you get the chance , it's big sister castle hotel is Ashford castle in Cong and its remote and fabulous. The " Quiet man " John Wayne was filmed on castle grounds and in pretty village of Cong. A stretch of the legs from the castle

What an experience! From the moment that you pull up with your vehicle you give them your keys. They take your bags to your room and escort you through the castle They go through your room with you and explain everything to you. Their customer service is off the charts Food was delicious. You can rent a golf cart for $25 to take a ride around the grounds. We did the falconry which was amazing! Horse jaunty ride was too pricey. Over $200 for an hour ride so we skipped that. Gold cart much cheaper They cannot do enough for you!!!

If you get the opportunity to stay here, don't pass it up! It is worth the splurge; my husband and I enjoyed everything during our stay! Be sure to spend some time at the cocktail bar, the most amazing drinks I have had in a long time they were almost too pretty to drink! Be sure to take a walk through their beautiful garden! Service is over the top; everyone is delighted to make your stay unique and memorable.

I golfed here in May 2024. The course is absolutely beautiful. You can rent an electric walking cart at a low cost and their rental clubs are very high-quality. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. I emailed them multiple times leading up to the trip and they responded quickly and answered all of my questions. The course went through multiple renovations over the last few years and they've really done a wonderful job with it. at the time I was playing they were finishing up some modifications to the 18th hole which I think will ultimately turn the 18th into their signature hole (currently it's the seventh which is nice but... Not quite as grand as a normal signature hole).

We had a *fantastic* three day stay here last month and cannot wait to return. I have no idea what it cost as it was part of a package my travel agent built out with London/Dublin as well, and frankly, *whatever* this part cost was well worth it. Amazing and seriously cinematic grounds, fun and educational activities (we did falconry, clay pigeon shooting, and archery and enjoyed them all immensely), terrific and plentiful food (that morning breakfast buffet was stellar, truly), extremely attentive and friendly staff (we particularly enjoyed our time in the cocktail bar watching Alex and his associates mix up some of the most complicated and delicious drinks we've ever had). We tried all three restaurants and loved all of our meals here. Our room was clean, spacious, and had the zero entry shower of my dreams. There was even an oversized outdoor chess set that my husband and son used every day. I just cannot say enough good things about this place and next time, we will make an effort to stay here longer!

Is there a 6/5 option? Ha, it was a magical experience - really gives you that "I'm living in a castle and in part of a Disney movie" feeling. :) The breakfast, high tea, and dinner were amazing; not a single complaint. The outside activities with falconry, touring the golf course, and the overall gardens and grounds were in great shape (minus one area they're re-landscaping that was pretty rough on the view). The staff was amazing and ensuring stellar accommodations. The room and the inside of the castle? I'll let the pictures do the talking. If you're able to go here at some point in your life, do it! This was our return to travel trip out of COVID that we have been planning since 2020, and was worth the wait!

Service was 10/10. The staff went out of their way to help and be kind. Excellent customer service. Everything was clean. Amenities were great. Impressed.

Came here for our Irish wedding vows at the Cliffs of Moher and stayed at the castle... why not be a princess for a couple of days? The castle is magnificent. It's pricey but so worth it. The staff is amazing, the grounds are stunning. The room we had was fabulous... we were on the 4th floor in one square tower. We will come back next time we are back in Ireland. The food was amazing too... we had the 9-course tasting menu... awesome food and service. Breakfasts were delicious too. I cannot say enough positive things about our stay.

I stayed at Dromoland Castle in November of 2017. What a way to end a fabulous vacation. Hands down, the best accommodations that I have experienced in a very long time. From the food, to the service, to our suite, everything was impeccable. Truly 5 star luxury. The spa was AMAZING. The absolute best massage I have ever had in my life! Dromoland is total luxury and if ever in Ireland, I wouldn't hesitate to return.

Staying at this castle was a dream come true. It's absolutely gorgeous. There are so many activities from natural golf course, horseback riding, archery, falconry, fairy gardens and more. I miss all the lovely conversations with the staff. If you're a history nerd you will love this castle.

We rented a car and traveled 1,700 miles around Ireland for our honeymoon in October. This was by far our FAVORITE place we stayed! We got to the castle when it was dark. We checked in at the front desk and they were so kind. They upgraded us to a tower suite room. We had 2 very large suitcases along with my checked bag. The bell hop was a beast and grabbed all 3 bags and carried them up the stairs to our room. I was impressed. When we walked into our room, we were blown away. We've never stayed in a room so nice. It was truly beautiful. Our view looked over the pond out front and there was a rainbow in the morning! The bed was also very comfortable. We changed and went to the Earl of Thomond restaurant in the castle. We did not have a reservation but they found us a table. That was such a great dining experience. Food was yummy. Atmosphere was magical - there was a live harp player in the restaurant! After dinner we popped into the bar and enjoyed some drinks while listening to the guitarist. We met another couple and ended up closing down the bar with them. The next morning we got up and it was the day Hurricane Ophelia hit Ireland. We were advised not to wander around the outside of the castle. We quickly did and got some pictures but unfortunately did not get to see the castle grounds. We ate breakfast, which was amazing, and hopped in our car and headed to our next stop..trying to stay ahead of the hurricane. I can't say enough good things about Dromoland Castle. It was a magical evening spent and I truly felt like a queen. I will travel back to Ireland and I cannot wait to come back and stay more than one night here!

Hands down the BEST NIGHT on our 10-night tour of Ireland (southern half)!! Staying at Dromoland Castle is an experience, not just a stay. It started with the warm welcome from the concierge, who took our luggage and our modest rental car without judgment - no snobbery whatsoever here. Our room wasn't ready despite it being about 8pm, and the manager sent us to get a complimentary drink, bringing hot chocolate and marshmallows for the kids. The staff is tremendous and they took care of our every request, so that we felt pampered and spoiled the entire time. When we got to our room, we found bears waiting on the beds for the kids, as well as candies for the kids and chocolate truffles for Mom and Dad. The room also came equipped with robes (2 big, 2 kid size!) and slippers, and the bathroom was one of the poshest I've seen in 25 years of traveling all over Europe and the Americas. The beds were incredibly comfortable and we slept like royalty. Wonderful. DO NOT miss the cocktail lounge! The octagonal room was once the study, and it's decorated with scads of Irish whiskey bottles and a diverse collection of novelties, including a jackalope. The barkeeps were young and energetic and lots of fun, and a guitarist/singer was performing early in the evening (i.e., before 11pm). We stayed up far too late talking to other guests and the bartender, enjoying the delicious cocktails and learning about the area. Breakfast in the stately dining room was delicious (of course), and we followed our feast with a stroll around the beautiful grounds. The reception desk provided the kids with a bag of cold toast to feed the ducks, and while we didn't find many ducks, we did find the golf course, ponds, groves, and even the walled garden, which features a fairy garden - much fun to explore. The only problem we experienced in our stay was that it had to end! We didn't want to leave. We stayed longer than originally planned to enjoy the estate, but I will be watching for opportunities to return!

This was the best hotel on our trip and was well worth it! Food was great. The grounds are beautiful and the best part was the service. Top notch!

This place is absolutely delightful! The accommodations are 5 star and beyond. I really enjoyed having afternoon tea in the restaurant. I also recommend spending extra time to walk around the walled garden. It's hidden behind the club house. It was beautiful! They have american outlets for those of you from the States!

I would give this place 1 star because it's a historic castle. Other then that the food is awful, the staff is nice but the bar manager is a snake and a sneak. They should get rid of him. They went up bottle champagne to my cousins room- she does not drink and she said I didn't ask for this and that's how they try to get you in her there..,,, He is so out of line. He hunted me down during dinner and charged me for 1/2 bottle champagne that he / they opened and said was for wedding- no one asked him to open it. So crazy. Place smells like dead rats. Will be my first and last time here. Shit hole . Stay at the old ground hotel in ennis . it's amazing and staff is excellent in pub.

Ranking: Highly Recommend I believe it is most people's dream as children to one day live in a castle like royalty - this hotel makes that dream a reality for those who make the trek to it's halls just outside Shannon. Rooms: Definitely large for Europe, having enough room for a King size bed, table & two chairs, desk, armoire, two end tables and dressing stool. The decor is modern, but feels castle-like (3 sheet bed setup with pale yellow blanket at foot of the bed and throw pillows, stately purple and white drapes, Victorian era prints for wall art, plush chairs and furnishings, dark wood trim and armoire, white marble bath fixtures and towel warmer). Grounds: Feels like being in a botanical garden walking around the grounds. The lakes, fountains, gazebo provide beautiful views during walks and bikes around the grounds and the attention to detail with the flowers and horticulture create heaven for any gardener or plant lover that walks around. Very well maintained and beautiful grounds. Activities: Lots to do at Dromoland, but some of the facilities were a bit subpar. The aviary was great with 12 species of Falcons and a host of owls that are used in the falconry lessons. It was so cool to walk out of the front gates of the castle in the morning and see the Falcons perched on a finger, ready for their morning meal! The gym, pool, and hottub were so-so. The gym was small for my taste and didn't have yoga mats or room to stretch. Okay if you just want to run on a treadmill, bike or lift a few weights, but not great for much beyond that. The pool was nice, but did not have a separate space for the hottub - Had kids splashing around in the pool hitting me in the face with water because of how close they were. No bueno for relaxation. The lockers room also needed a deep clean - soap scum on the shampoo/conditioner dispensers in the showers and on the walls. Wasn't a big fan of the whole health club area. Golf was absolutely spectacular (see my separate review on this). Loved the course, the service, and the equipment there at Dromoland. Didn't go to the spa, but 3 of my friends did and they all complained that the massage therapist didn't know how to give good pressure. They all described the massage as "an expensive full body lube with oil". They all asked for firmer, but never got it. Don't waste your money on this spa, folks. Other activities were fun as expected - fishing, go karts, archery, high tea, walled gardens, canoeing. Again, lots to do at Dromoland! Service: Very good! The resort is a bit too large for folks to remember your name or do extraordinarily special things like flower arrangements or towel designs in the rooms, but the staff was always very friendly and smiling. They also did a very cute turn down service with castle made truffles and a little card with Irish sayings before bed (see the photo). One of the nicest turndowns I think I've seen! Overall: This was a fabulous hotel stay that I would highly recommend. Only caveats are on the health club and spa, which were all pretty ho hum.

[October 2018]. My cousin and I spent one night as a splurge. Had a wonderful stay here. The grounds are magnificent. The garden is a must see. Our breakfast was out of this world. The staff were pleasant and attentive. It is pricy but a once in a lifetime experience for us middle income folks :) I do recommend this experience if you can add it into your Ireland travels. You can't take a bad photo. Uploading a few here.

We had an afternoon tea at the restaurant and it was lovely. All the sandwiches and scones we could possibly want as they offered to replenish them to our heart's delight. Lovely piano music to accompany a gorgeous view and great service. Walking around the grounds there were multiple falconer walking with guests who were able to get personal tours to have the bird land on their leather covered arms. Visiting here is a step back into a simpler world that is based on beauty and good taste.

Beautiful facility. Great service. Clean, smells great. Comfortable bed and room. Special recognition to Lecia (correct name spelling?),the front desk clerk. Positive and courteous, with excellent articulation-- she really could've had a career a documentary narrator. The outside environment is also gorgeous and worth exploring.

Dromoland Castle is an excellent experience and a wonderful place to stay. It is a great 4-Star experience (and worth the visit), but it certainly falls short of being a true 5-Star hotel for a variety of reasons. We stayed at the Castle with our three young children during our tour of Ireland, and we found it to be beautiful, comfortable, and fun, and offered outstanding staff attentiveness and hospitality. A few observations (pro and con): The Castle itself is in great condition, extremely impressive to look at, and sits amongst gorgeous grounds, a beautiful golf course, rolling hills, and surrounded by a tranquil lake. It offers exceptional service, a golf course in impeccable condition and a wide variety of fun activities like archery, horseback, clay shooting, and falconry. It also has an excellent indoor swimming pool and an average/below average gym. On the positive side, the staff is outstanding and the food (drinks, appetizers, breakfast and dinner) were excellent. Fine cuisine. However, the Castle rooms (hallways, etc) require significant updating and investment. The rooms offer worn towels, stained carpets, below average beds, and poor showers (with small folding curtains that cause water to splash everywhere when you shower). The accommodations lack a true 5-Star (or perhaps even fall short of 4-star) review. Everything about the place is full of charm and it is worth spending the time to walk all around the compound...just gorgeous. Overall...if you are in Ireland (touring or otherwise), it is worth the visit and is an excellent experience. Solid 4-Star overall.

An amazing place to stay in! We were at many castles that are now hotels and very few come close to the magnificence and grandeur of Dromoland! The only glitch we encountered at check-in, being taken to a very nice room on the ground floor that had two windows looking over......a wall a few yards away! We immediately went back to reception and insisted on getting a room with a view of the beautiful, breath-stopping grounds. It took a few minutes, while we were given drinks, to get a much better room over-looking the lake. The gardens and grounds at the castle MUST be explored. We loved every minute of the two nights we were there. Room Tip: If you can afford it - don't miss it!

We traveled here in August for a friend's wedding. We were absolutely blown away by the service and staff at this hotel. They were amazingly helpful before we arrived and remained so throughout our stay. Our family of 5 stayed in one of the family rooms, which was very spacious and comfortable. The room was clean and well kept and we did not feel cramped at all. Upon arrival, we found 3 Dromoland Castle teddy bears, 1 for each of our children. An amazing touch. The first night, the staff delivered cookies and milk before bed for the children with their names written in chocolate on them. Each night, the staff left gummy bears on their pillows. This is a very family friendly place. The grounds are beautiful and the golf course looks very nice. We participated in the hawk training available onsite with our children ages 7, 5 & 1. They loved it! What an memory. It was truly something they will never forget. Before we arrived, the front desk arranged for a babysitter for our children during the wedding. She came with references and our children really liked her. I felt completely confident leaving my children with her and the hotel assured me that she works for their guests regularly. The wedding was very picturesque and took place in the garden. It was a magical experience for all involved. I highly recommend staying at this beautiful castle.

Stayed here our last two nights in Ireland. We had a wonderful trip all around Ireland and were excited to stay here. We stayed at Ashford Castle up in Cong a few days before and Ashford makes Dromoland feel like a 3 star hotel. Here are a few things that we didn't like: - the hotel seems under staffed. Besides the doorman mike being awesome the rest of the staff feel alittle unwelcoming. - the layout is really hard to navigate. You have to walk 5 different hallways to get to the dining room. They have their kitchen on the second floor of the main castle and all you see is blaring lights from the outside at night. It seems like a good place to put rooms but I guess not. Instead your most likely put in a room in a new part of the castle made to look old. - the "grounds" are a golf course. A very nice golf course but still the walking a biking paths are through the golf course where you have to dodge balls. The walled garden is nice. - construction happening all through the parts of the hotel - turn down service is at 6 pm right when your getting ready for dinner I would say without a doubt you will get your money's worth three fold staying at Ashford. Which is around the same price. It a shame our vacation had to end here.

Such a beautiful place. My husband and I visited in December of 2014 and absolutely loved it here. Our only complaint was the cold and rain-- but of course, that could hardly be helped! What we get for traveling in the winter. The staff at Dromoland is incredibly nice, and the rooms are lovely and generous. The grounds are gorgeous, and you can borrow a bike or take out a boat at no charge. During the spring, the walled garden must be lovely (but when we were there, it was mostly brown). We had one of the most excellent meals of our lives at the Earl of Thomond. My husband and I are vegetarian, and we were pleased that they had crafted such a thoughtful and delicious vegetarian menu. Highlights included vegetable feuilletée, avocado pasta, a gnocchi of sorts, chocolate souffle. The restaurant service was absolutely incredible, too. Our waiter told us he has been working at Dromoland Castle for many years, and that his wife is an employee there as well. Our time here was nearly magical, and we look forward to returning again in the near future.

The grounds are amazing and I highly recommend staying at the Dromoland Castle and Golf club. Every part of the stay was perfect. The pool and spa area was great both the pool hot sauna and steam were very user friendly. The staff was as good as it gets. We ate dinner at the Earl of Thomas fine fine dining and was the best food we had on the entire trip. Ian the somm was great and very helpful with the extensive wine list. First course: Pan-Fried Green Asparagus Foie Gras Sauté Second coures: Pot-Roasted 'Pasture Fed' Irish Free Range Chicken Roast Rack of Burren Lamb On the other night we ate in the Galley and it was also fabulous. Bangers and Mash - Loughnanes Country Sausages with Buttered Mash & Onion Gravy Wild Forest Mushroom Risotto - With Garden Peas, Black Truf e Oil & Parmesan The Traditional Irish breakfast was also outstanding. If you have the opportunity to stay or just eat here do not pass it up.

Some random & possibly overlapping thoughts: - Calling Dromoland a 5 star hotel is a bit much. I recognize they have exceptional service, a golf course in impeccable condition (for February) and a host of the "usual blue blood activities" like clay shooting, falconry and archery. However, when you take a close look at the physical facility that you're sleeping in, it's a 4 star resort. For example worn towels, stained carpets and just a lot of detail that's been let go. - This is definitely a good option if your wife has staying at a hotel on her bucket list. You'll get a great night's sleep, enjoy walking the grounds and overall there's some novelty to the whole thing. We were both glad we did it, but really don't have any desire to do it again. Some positives: Got a great night's sleep, bathroom is pretty spacious, service was impeccable - without question 5 star service - We enjoyed walking around the grounds (for those needing a workout fix - I'd avoid the gym and go run/walk the grounds/course). - Dinner for $121 euros was a bad call. You'll get exposure to the dining room during breakfast - not worth springing for dinner. - Ton of charm - great compound. Recommended for anyone who loves old charm (Omni Parker in Boston) - Cool that Clinton, Bush II and very recently the VP of China stayed here (fun fact: VP of China rolls with a more ridiculous entourage than Bush II when he was acting president).

I brought my children here many years ago, and it was very pricey, but worth every penny. At the entry you are greeted by smiling Irish staff, who can't do more to help you. We were provided a huge suite, decorated to the 9's. A Waterford carafe of Mead and stemware was provided. The grandiosity of this hotel was beyond belief. We roamed the grounds, my children found the walled gardens, which they were excited to show me. We dined in a magnificent dining room with chandeliers taller than myself, hanging above. This was not our destination, but it was the most magnificent hotel I ever stayed at. My children will always remember, we stayed at a castle in Ireland, owned by our ancestors.

If you are expecting a castle experience you will not find it here. It has been renovated and is just like any other 5 star hotel except that some of the rooms don't have A/C!! However, the grounds are beautiful and the golf course is superb.

Voted by Samantha Brown of the travel channel as the 'Most Romantic Place to get Engaged'! My husband and I stayed here during our trip to Ireland in May 2009, when we got engaged! The castle is absolutely breathtaking and the grounds are immaculated kept. We arrived rather late to the hotel, once our bags were taken to our room, we explored the castle halls and found our way to the bar. The night manager on duty, prepared us some snacks and evening cocktails. He escorted us to the library where he proceeded to go into great detail of the history of this magnificent place. Our room was spacious, but needed some major updating, granted it did keep the medival decor, but as one review mentioned the windows were drafty and the carpets have be put through the ringer! Not to mention that there were some strange things happening with things being moved around and lights going on and off. We found out that we had stayed in the oldest part of the castle, which is rumored to be haunted and I am now a true believer! We walked around and found that there was a newer portion of the castle had been updated. We peeked into one of the rooms and they were being made up and it was substantially more modern, which was nice. Although, I did like our room, it gave us more of a nostagic castle feel. I would highly recommend Dromoland, after all every girl has dreamed of a fairytale castle at one time or another! There were alot of amenities that we did not able to partake in, due to time constrains, but the golf course was beautiful. I heard there was a very highly recommended spa and also a falconry, which I really wanted to see. We will definitely book our reservations here the next time we visit Ireland, it truly is a magical place.

I don't even know where to start or end this review. I recently just returned from a turn in Ireland and was fortunate enough to stay at Dromoland for part of my trip. Chalk it up to yolo, how was I going to pass up staying in an actual castle (one that presidents and dignitaries of all types have stayed in no less). I wasn't. You had me at falconry (yes, they have falcons like any self respecting castle should). Apparently this spot is famous for golf (note, guests can rent shoes & clubs) but I was there to pack as many of the other options in as possible. I managed to work my way through High Tea, horse-riding and walking the grounds (easier said than done) and heartily recommend them all. I missed out on: falconry (did get to watch a couple going out and that was probably as close as I should have gotten in hindsight, those birds are huge), gig and pony tour of the grounds, complementary bikes and row boats, skeet shooting, archery, the spa etc. In true fairytale style, I was upgraded on the spot to a tower room in the main castle area so my window-seats (yes, seats plural) got some solid use. The meaning behind King of the castle really hit home as I looked out over the surrounding manicured grounds. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful, which can really make or break a hotel. The property was most likely last renovated in the 90s, so picture old money luxury not brand new modern sleek, but is excellently kept up and seeped in tradition. I do not think I have been in a bigger bed in my life, and they had down alternatives for this allergy princess and the pea (they switched my pillows during the afternoon turn down service). They also had free wifi all over the castle, and free bottled water in the rooms. It was nice that I did not feel nickel and dimed as the experience did not come cheap overall, but instead pampered and genuinely welcomed (staff knowing my name certainly left an impression on me). Dining options are varied, and I passed on the gorgeous formal dining room in favor of light bites in the bar (breakfast is served in there as well). Light bites were followed by a signature moment: comfortable in a large antique chair, reading by the fire in a 12 ft fireplace, sipping on irish coffee into the wee hours of the morning while sounds from live Irish ballad singers drifted down the halls after a brisk evening stroll around the foggy ground. Yeah, yolo alright.

What a beautiful establishment on a well maintained golf course. The grounds are open to explore and there is something for everyone to do here. The staff is also friendly and extremely accommodating. The reason I only gave it 4 stars is because a few items in the room need to be fixed up (door knob broken/ light not working).

This place is very special to me. My girlfriend and I took a vacation and went to Ireland and stayed at a few castles along the way. This was by far my favorite. Everything was so elegant and beautiful. We ate dinner in the dining room, and although the menu was something more exquisite than what I had been accustomed to, it was delicious, I am happy that I was able to try something outside of my comfort zone. I wish I had more time to spend at this castle. My girlfriend and I explored some of the rooms and property on the castle, we had drinks in one of the lounge rooms after our dinner, it was a nice and relaxing way to finish the evening. I want to come back to Ireland, and specifically this castle at least once more before I die. This place is magical, it really captivated me. Thank you Dromoland Castle and staff, you made my trip to Ireland truly memerable.

Stayed here in July 2012. The staff was very attentive and there were a ton of them. This hotel has an immense amount of snob appeal; be prepared for a wide mix of people with a lot of money and the average traveler. I understand that George Busch stayed here too. However this far from being a 5 star hotel, because management is trying to cover several price points. The rooms are old, the hallways have peeling wallpaper and there are very worn carpets. Be prepared to spend your hard earned euros and dollars if you come though. A good example: we had some laundry done after our 10 days of travel; five pairs of underwear, five pairs of pants, five shirts and 6 pairs of socks....144.00 u.s. dollars. The food was only average too. There is far better food in near by Ennis. The bottom line? We could not wait to move on after one nights stay. I don't think I could recommend it to anyone I know. I did see that this would be heaven for golfers, because it looks like they take very good care of their course; more so than the hotel though.

Quite possibly the best hotel in Ireland. In fact, all of the foreign dignitaries and various other high profile individuals always stay here. I myself have never been so privileged, but I have been here for a few events and dinner and I must say it is well impressive. This is a five star hotel and it shows in every way. They have a nice gift shop on the grounds along with some amazing scenery. It is an actual castle in every since of the word, with expansive grounds and a golf club and spa on premises. They are also very nice there and don't mind if visitors who are not guests come to see the grounds or avail of the gift shop, spa, or golf facilities. But be aware, it is a bit pricey sure.

I stayed here in when I went to Ireland in 2005. It was awesome! Rooms were spacious, good amenities. Food was great too! There is a great garden with lots of cool flowers ... and a duck pond....

Absolutely an amazing place that we will never forget. This castle sits on over 400 acres, and has beautiful sites to see and things to do. It boast beautiful pond, restaurants, bar and more. It has a beautiful chapel as well to get married in. We even thought about getting remarried there. We also signed up for skeet shooting on the castle property and as we waited in the lobby for our skeet instructor we noticed a older man looking around. My wife said 'that can't be the skeet guy' As it ties out it was him! He was in his late eighties and spry! He then took us out on a muddy dirt road out on the castle grounds in the woods. It was there we stopped at two little shack buildings to start skeet shooting. The little guy handed me a 12 gauge and my wife a 20 gauge. I hot around 98% of the clays thrown. (Familiar with guns) I was so proud of my wife who had never even shot a gun before and hit over 90%! We continued on to start shooting clays.. it was fantastic! Then the next day we did falconry out back in the damp woods behind the castle. This was another amazing experience that I will never forget. My last name being McGuire and all plus my heritage is Irish! Dromoland was and is amazing!

We stayed at Dromoland the day we arrived in Ireland from a trans-Atlantic flight, and we couldn't ask for a better experience. The hotel grounds and rooms are immaculate. Everyone from the valet, concierge, bartenders and servers provided excellent and professional service which added to the overall experience. The hotel's attention to detail created a once in a lifetime experience. The next time we visit Ireland, we will definitely stay here again!

Absolutely beautiful place and amazing staff! The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and there are plenty of trails to walk around and explore on. I believe it sits on 400 or so acres. The breakfast was included in our rate and it was the best breakfast we have ever had at a hotel. They have a buffet with pastries, yogurt, bread, fruit, and cereal but you also order a main dish. We had the pancakes, french toast, and Irish breakfast. All amazing but specifically the pancakes and the french toast! Oh, and the orange juice was SO good too! As for the room, we were lucky enough to be upgraded and we had a full king size bed and a sitting area. The room was very big. The house keeping provided numerous water bottles whenever needed as well. The decor is what you would expect from a castle. We were not able to use the spa or gym and therefore cannot comment on those amenities. Overall, the place is amazing and the staff couldn't be nicer or more helpful! We would absolutely stay there again if we were going to be in the area.

This was my favorite hotel while traveling in Ireland. The grounds are gorgeous! My husband really enjoyed walking around the grounds and discovering all the nooks and crannies of this estate. If the weather is nice you can row out on to the lake, fish or even SUP. It was a very relaxing stay. Our room was very spacious and decorated in soft pastel blue and green. Because it was our honeymoon they left us a box of chocolates and voucher for 2 glasses of champagne (nicolas feuillate). Excellent service and friendly staff. If staying here make sure to make time to take tea, scones are excellent. Whether this is actually a 4 star vs 5 star hotel didn't make a difference my husband and I had a lovely stay. I would highly recommend staying here at least 2 nights while traveling the west of Ireland.

We stayed here for two nights. There was lots of character and the staff was terrific. The concierge helped us plan our day trips with expert advice and humor. The first night we took advantage of a horse drawn carriage ride around the grounds. Sean our guide and carriage driver was exceptionally knowledgeable and quite the entertainer. He told us tales and history that added to the charm of the entire experience. We finished the night off in the well stocked bar listening to live music. It well situated for day trips, close to the Ciffs of Moher and only an hour from Galway, a bustling university town. If you rather stay in one place though there is plenty to take advantage of on the grounds. There plenty of ground and garden to walk and explore. I don't play golf, but a few in our party do and they took advantage of the lush green course. There are some elements that aren't perfect. The carpets are water damaged in places and the window in our room was very drafty. The bed also was a bit worse for the wear. But overall this was a great experience.

The setting is lovely and the golf course is sufficiently challenging. Avoid a tee time on Saturdays as it is jammed and will take close to 5 hours for 18 holes. The rooms in the new wing are not as pretty and sumptuous as Ashford Castle which is comparatively priced. There are only 2 choices for dining, one formal and the other casual. The more casual restaurant, the Fig, has a very depressing dining room in the back so when you reserve ask to sit overlooking the putting green. The Walled Garden is beautiful and not to be missed. The massage I had at the spa was more of a quick body rub rather than a 55 minute massage as I had expected- very disappointing and not worth the money. The staff is very accommodating and overall it is a nice place to stay for a few days.

This is mainly for the falconry "hawk walk" experience. Our guide and teacher was excellent and we all thoroughly enjoyed being able to catch and hold our beautiful bird, Ophelia, as we walked around the stately grounds of the castle. We also very much liked holding Pickles the barn owl. The staff at the castle were all very helpful and bent over backwards to make us feel special. Just a great experience all around.

Simply stunning! My fiancée and I stayed for a weekend and it was amazing from start to finish. Beautiful castle on gorgeous grounds and a fantastic golf course. The castle is superb and the service was spectacular. We got engaged here and it was perfect. Absolutely worth a visit!

Coming to Dromoland is like coming home. The warm hospitable staff combined with the regal surroundings give a truly unique experience!

I loved this hotel! I was worried that it might be a little pretentious after reading a few reviews but they were great! I booked through booking.com and they had lost our reservation but upgraded us for the hassle. The room was gorgeous! And the water in the room was complimentary! They have row boats to go out on a small lake but the fishing equipment was horrible so that was a bust. The work out area is nice and includes a pool, sauna and steam room. We also did the Falconry class and learned a lot! We ate at both restaurants and they both were good. For the price, I wasn't that impressed with the main dining but the service was great. The food off the golf course was wonderful! I would highly recommend this hotel and wish we could have stayed longer!

If there was a 6th star, I'd give it. An absolute highlight to our Ireland vacation. The service, the food, the room, the grounds...couldn't have asked for more. The afternoon tea is a must and you must have a drink in their amazing bar. My wife and girls never stopped smiling. Even though it was a family trip, they have a great nine hole golf rate - clubs, shoes and 9 holes for $70 euro. Wasn't planning on it, but a great way to start my morning.

This castle was definitely one of the highlights of our stay in Ireland. The staff was extremely polite and helpful. While my girlfriend spent the day at the spa I toured the grounds which are absolutely amazing!! They have just about every activity you could possibly want to partake in and is also in a great location for a short drive to the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abby and the city of Shannon. The food was fantastic and wait staff was extremely knowledgeable of all of their wines. The next time I go back to Ireland I will definitely be staying here again.

This is a beautiful castle. The grounds are well worth driving around. The restaurant has outstanding. I ordered the hake and it was great. The desserts were delicious too. The staff was very nice as well.

Dromoland is an amazing place to stay. It's centrally located on the west coast of Ireland and has a very attentive staff and beautiful grounds. The fish and chips was some of the best we had in Ireland or England. The Irish breakfast will rock your world and everyone should check out their rowboats if they have the time.