Dromoland Lodge Is Ireland’s Newest Haven
The new accommodation is next to Dromoland Castle and has views of the castle grounds.
Escape to County Clare in the west of Ireland to luxuriate in the newest accommodation option on the 500-acre estate of 16th-century Dromoland Castle: Dromoland Lodge. A former private home, the renovated lodge was opened last month for guest reservations, which include airport transfers from nearby Shannon Airport. Guests can explore the castle mews to spot its noted avian inhabitants—peregrine falcons, hawks, and owl—or take one of the lodge golf carts to hone skills on the 18-hole golf course.
The classically styled lodge has five bedrooms, which echo the castle’s elegant palette with shades of soft green, claret red, and peacock blue and are furnished with oversized easy chairs, king beds with blue-patterned accent pillows, and handwoven Irish-wool throws. Large windows feature views of the lush gardens and grounds.
A bunk room with striped linens on twin beds and window blinds is an inspiring place for younger guests and includes a telescope, toys, and plenty of space for board game competitions. The master bedroom is calm, thanks to layers of blue and green in the decor and floral wallpaper.
The cozy drawing room has a wood-burning fireplace and plaid easy chairs, while the games room is a welcome place for an evening of chess or watching a movie.
The day starts with an Irish breakfast in the lodge’s light-filled kitchen or the elegant surroundings of the castle’s Earl of Thomond Restaurant, which has cream and gold decor. Afterward, there is clay pigeon shooting, cycling, horseback riding, pickleball, boating, or a trip to nearby attractions such as Wild Atlantic Way, Cliffs of Moher, or an afternoon Hawk Walk with the castle’s falconer. Dinner can be planned with one of the castle chefs or chosen from the castle’s crockpot menu and retrieved from the lodge kitchen where the meal will be left warming.
Additional Dromoland guest amenities include an outdoor terrace and parlour with a fully stocked bar. There’s also shopping to be had at Charlotte & Co., the onsite boutique named for former resident Lady Charlotte, and daily afternoon tea is served among antique furniture and collectibles in The Gallery.
Last year the castle added a spa, where guests can begin in the Whisper Room to achieve a calm state of mind before receiving wellness treatments with products by Dr. Barbara Sturm, Seabody, Oskia, and botanicals from the castle grounds.
