In talking with Mark McSorley, Dromoland Castle’s recently appointed Resort General Manager, it’s evident he’s intent on building on the guest experience at one of Ireland’s most storied retreats.
“I want to make sure that people come not just to see a castle, but to enjoy the 500 acres of estate that we have. I want to make Dromoland a playground rather than just a castle. There are so many things we can do.”
He points out that the resort is leaning into wellness offerings and mentions The Coop, once a pigeon coop and now a stunning wellness studio where guests can partake in yoga, Pilates or HIIT classes. And Dromoland Castle’s resident yoga instructor guides guests through a Forest Bathing & Mindful Movement experience amidst the ground’s woodlands. Sound Bathing experience? They’ve got that too, plus, he adds, “one of our managers meets guests in the lobby and takes them out for morning runs.”
The castle resort, he goes on to explain, is ideal for digital detoxing because of its grand outdoor offerings. In fact, why not recommend The Castle Unplugged digital detox experience that includes not only a 2-night stay but accommodations that are completely tech-free, with TVs replaced with curated Irish literature, board games and wellness journals. It also includes outdoor activities and yes, phones are placed in a lockbox.
“Why not curate experiences that the guests are actually looking for,” he notes. And many of the experiences, he adds, are complimentary, including Irish language classes and history and garden tours. Of course, whisky tasting, falconry, canoeing on the lake, fishing and genealogy sessions are also on the menu.
When it comes to refurbishments, “we update our rooms on a yearly basis,” noting that the 96-room resort, which is located a 15-minute drive from Shannon Airport, is going through some exciting refurbishments. “We have a master plan we’re working on,” he tells Recommend.
McSorley reminds travel advisors that the U.S. is the resort’s largest market, attracting a huge chunk of families, and increasingly multi-generational family groups. Ideal for large multi-gen family groups is the 5-bedroom Dromoland Lodge on the 18-hole Championship golf course. He says that the ideal client for Dromoland Castle is the ultra-high-net individual “who are looking for authenticity and heritage. They’re not looking for a beige vacation.”
For clients who want to explore beyond the castle grounds—although it will be hard to pull away due to the stunning surroundings—the Cliffs of Moher is only 40 minutes away, Limerick is 20 minutes away and Dublin is about 2.5 hours away, making for a perfect day trip. And, of course, there are many nearby iconic golf courses.
When it comes to its F&B offerings, McSorley says, that, too, is top-notch, with a nod to the resort’s fine dining restaurant, the Earl of Thomoland. “It’s gorgeous,” he says. “Elevated dining overlooking the lake.” There’s also Fig Tree “down by the golf club,” and, of course, Mrs. White’s Afternoon Tea (or, if your clients fancy, they can make it Champagne Afternoon Tea). The culinary program, in fact, is built on close partnerships with Irish producers, with menus guided by seasonality, locality and sustainability, drawing many ingredients from within a 30-mile radius.
Dromoland Castle, which dates back to the 16th century, is an Irish landmark, and as such, everything that’s on offer, says McSorley, is rooted in this heritage. ”We’re custodians of the castle,” he says. “We need to do the right things always for our castle. We’re not going to be there forever, and we want to make sure that we pass it over for the next people to enjoy for the next hundred years. So it’s very important that we do the right thing.”
