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Dromoland Castle Review

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Dromoland Castle

Address: 5 km (3 mi) west of Newmarket-on-Fergus, signposted from N18, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare
Phone: 061/368-144
www.dromoland.ie

Price range: $$$$
Location: Newmarket-on-Fergus

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Fodor's Review:

This massive neo-Gothic castle—the ancestral home of the O'Briens, descendants of Brian Bórú, High King of Ireland—certainly looks the part. Dating from the 19th century and now one of Ireland's grandest and best-loved hotels, it bristles with towers and crenellations that rise up over a picture-perfect lake, looking like a storybook illustration from King Arthur and his knights. Inside, Dromoland really sets out to give you the full country-house treatment: oak paneling, ancestral portraits, oh-so-cordial staff, crystal chandeliers, Irish-Georgian antiques—all the creature comforts any high-born duke would want. Bedrooms (suites, in fact) in the main wing are the largest and most elaborate, with massive four-poster beds, tall, draped windows, custom fabrics, and genuine Hepplewhite armoires. Rooms in the discreetly added newer wings are more hotel-like, with Regency-style furniture, but all have luxurious bathrooms. Rooms with a lake view are the most sought-after. For dining, the Green Room Bar and Fig Tree offer casual options while the neo-Gothic, oak-wainscoted Earl of Thomond Restaurant is the place for a magnificent blow-out, complete with classic French cuisine (served with appropriate ceremony) and spectacular chandeliers. For activities, the 440-acre estate offers a full golf course, tennis, fishing, a spa, and those idyllic woodlands—perfect for jogging, cycling, or a blissful stroll. Pros: real old-fashioned luxury; friendly, helpful staff; genuine castle experience. Cons: golfers spoiling the romantic idyll; some standard rooms are a little ordinary in comparison with the public areas; you're likely to want to stay much longer than you can afford.

Hotel Details: 99 rooms
In-room: no a/c, Internet.
In-hotel: 2 restaurants, golf course, tennis courts, bar, pool, spa, Wi-Fi hotspot, bicycles.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V

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