a large stone building with many windows

History

Discover the Dromoland Castle Hotel, which was the ancestral home of the famous O’Brien clan.

A member of Historic Hotels Worldwide since 2011, Dromoland Castle Hotel is one of the most famous baronial castles in Ireland. It was once the ancestral home of the O’Briens—the Barons of Inchiquin—who are one of the few native Gaelic families to possess a royal Irish heritage. They are direct descendants of Brian Boroimhe, the High King of Ireland during the 11th century. Also known as “Brian Boru,” he is renowned today for his defeat of the Danes in 1014. The structure was then thoroughly rebuilt when the O’Briens surrendered to King Henry VIII in the 16th century. As such, the family became known as the Barons of Inchiquin and the Earls of Thomond. This historic building and its surrounding houses were known by locals as “Dromoland” for centuries. The word “Dromoland” translates in English as “Hill of Litigation.” The first mention of Dromoland in any records was in the will of Murrough O’Brien in 1551. He relied upon a traditional Gaelic system of inheritance for passing down titles and property known as Tanistry. Murrough O’Brien had been given the title Earl of Thomond by Henry VIII and bequeathed the castle to his son, Dermod. The land and the homes built upon it remained in the family for six generations, with several disputes taking place over their ownership during that time.

By 1795, Sir Edward O’Brien became the owner of Dromoland Castle. He oversaw renovations to the main house that lasted well into the 1800s. Its new Gothic Revival-style designs were done by James and George Pain, who were students of English architect John Nash. The restoration finally concluded in 1835. One visitor at the time described Dromoland Castle as, “a superb edifice in the castellated style…surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded demesne.” Another felt it was, “built entirely of dark blue limestone and in fine chiseled workmanship.” Although quarried on the estate itself, the cost of cutting and hauling its stone proved enormous. The castle was the birthplace of William Smith O’Brien in 1803. He would become a champion of oppressed Irish farmers as an adult, leading the Young Irelanders rebellion against British authority in 1848. After the forced sale of the estate’s tenant farmlands in 1921, the leaders of the fledgling Irish Free State marked Dromoland Castle for destruction. Locals succeeded in reversing that decision though, arguing that the O’Briens had been fair and benevolent landlords. For more than a decade, Dromoland was supported by the personal wealth of the Baron Lucius O’Brien’s widow, Lady Ethel Inchiquin. Her portrait hangs near the staircase in the Castle’s main hall in honor of her stewardship.

In 1962, Lady Ethel Inchiquin's son, Sir Donough O’Brien, sold Dromoland Castle and its surrounding land to American industrialist Bernard P. McDonough. McDonough then converted the castle into a luxurious boutique hotel. The current Baron Inchiquin, Conor O’Brien, continues to live in a nearby manor known as the Thomond House. He and his family still operate parts of the historical demesne as a sporting and leisure estate. More recently during the late 1990s, a group of Irish and American investors purchased Dromoland Castle. Under their stewardship, the structure transformed into one of Europe’s most celebrated holiday destinations. Indeed, their management of the resort resulted in numerous, high-profile luminaries to visit the resort frequently. In fact, President George W. Bush and several nations of the European Union organized a series of meetings in 2004 known as the US – EU Summit. The purpose of the event was to gather many leading politicians, businesspeople, and intellectuals from the two societies to discuss the various ways they could possibly enhance their transatlantic economic relationship. Officials from the United States and the European Union decided to specifically met at Dromoland Castle toward the end of June. President Bush himself stayed at the castle overnight, prompting the grounds to be inundated by thousands of security personnel.

a woman and two children posing for a picture

Hotel Timeline

Bronze-age people create an impressive hillfort that controlled the region for many years. Archeologists believe that the hillfort—called the Mooghaun—housed around a dozen families who lived encased within an earthen rampart. Locals added three distinctive cashels more than a millennia later in 500 AD, which made the hillfort have more of a circular shape.

Donough O’Brien, son of Brian Boroimhe, established the first Dromoland Castle near the Mooghaun. Also known as “Brian Boru,” Brian Boroimhe was the High King of Ireland during the first two decades of the 11th century. He was responsible for forcing back a marauding army of Danish Vikings that same year. The O’Briens then go on to become the Kings of Thomond for the next several centuries.

The Chief of the Clan O’Brien—a man by the name of Murrough—swore fealty to King Henry VIII of England. Murrough was then ruling as the 57th King of Thomond. Henry allowed Murrough to keep most of his lands but reduced him in title to the Baron of Inchiquin and the Earl of Thomond. Murrough expanded much of Dromoland Castle, as well.

Conor O’Brien dies fighting against the English during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. His widow, Red Mary O’Brien, ensured that Dromoland passed on to her eldest son, Sir Donough O’Brien, by marrying an English officer. This branch of the O’Brien Clan would then emerge as the strongest in the family.

Construction began on the second house on the grounds. Considered a castle, it functioned more as a private residence rather than a military stronghold. Its architecture mirrored the Queen Anne style popular during the age. Work continued on the structure for the next 30 years.

Sir Edward O’Brien, the 2nd Baronet of Leaghmenagh, constructed the “Turret” on the hill opposite of Dromoland Castle, in order to watch his beloved horse races. Many at the time revered O’Brien as an expert horse breeder and trainer.

William Smith O’Brien, M.P., is born at Dromoland Castle. He would become a champion of oppressed Irish Catholic farmers as an adult, leading the Young Irelanders rebellion against the British in 1848. Sentenced to exile in Tasmania shortly thereafter, O’Brien returned to Ireland toward the end of his life during the 1850s.

Dromoland Castle’s main structure takes on much of its current appearance. Work to redevelop much of the building had begun some two decades earlier at the behest of Sir Edward O’Brien, but it reached its zenith during the 1830s. O’Brien had hired two renowned architects to oversee its development: James and George Richard Pain.

The O’Briens sold much of their tenanted farmland following a series of real estate laws that forced much of their historic wealth to disappear. With the rise of the Irish Free State roughly a year later, the new republican government contemplated destroying the castle and displacing the O’Briens for being aristocratic landlords. Fortunately, local farmers successfully came to the defense of the family on their behalf.

Lady Ethel Inchiquin assumed control over the estate following the death of Lucius O’Brien, the 15th Baron Inchiquin. She used her personal wealth to keep Dromoland Castle from foreclosing, but the financial strain began to take its toll on the family. Her picture hangs near the staircase in the Castle’s main hall in honor of her stewardship.

Sir Donough O’Brien, the 16th Baron Inchiquin, attempted to revitalize the Dromoland Castle into a self-sufficient estate. His plans centered around transforming the grounds into a productive dairy farm. Money still proved tight regardless, prompting the Baron to start housing tourists as guests.

The O’Briens' experiment in making Dromoland Castle prosperous ended and they sold most of the estate to American industrialist Bernard P. McDonough. McDonough would then transform Dromoland Castle into a hotel for the first time. The O’Briens retained a small portion of the farm known as the Thomond House, where their descendants live to this day.

A group of Irish and American investors purchased Dromoland Castle. Under their stewardship, the structure transformed into one of Europe’s most celebrated holiday destinations. Thanks to their efforts, the resort has since remained one of the most elite in the country.

International leaders held the EU-US Summit, which was attended by former U.S. President George W. Bush. To accommodate the president, Dromoland Castle had to host several thousand of security personnel for the duration of the event.

Dromoland Castle Hotel The sibling program of Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide itself is a prestigious collection of well more than 300 of the finest historic treasures, including many former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries. 

950 B.C.

1014 A.D.

1543

1651

1700

1730

1803

1835

1921

1929

1948

1962

1987

2004

2011

The Location

Dromoland Castle Hotel is nestled within the verdant hills of County Clare, Ireland. County Clare was once the ancient Gaelic homeland for the Kingdom of Connacht. The Kingdom of Munster—one of its neighboring rivals—annexed the realm during the 10th century and renamed it as “Thomond.” It was during this time that a nobleman from Thomond named Brian Boru came to power. Becoming the King of Munster, he subsequently seized the coveted title of High King of Ireland in 1002. Boru eventually met his glorious end fighting against a Viking invasion at the Battle of Clontarf, where his forces successfully drove the invaders from Ireland’s shores. His descendants would come to call Thomond home, forming the Kingdom of Thomond in 1118. For the rest of the Middle Ages, the O’Brien clan fought to protect their claim to Thomond from Norman knights, English lords, and rival families of noble lineage. By the 1400s, the O’Briens had successfully reasserted their dominance over the land, becoming the undisputed Kings of Thomond once more. But their victory was not to last. Following a failed rebellion against mounting English influence in the 1530s, King Henry VIII of England initiated a conquest to subjugate all of Ireland. King Murrough O’Brien surrendered his crown to Henry, turning the Kingdom of Thomond into the Earldom of Thomond.

English administrators then combined Thomond with other lands in 1565, forming the first iteration of present-day County Clare. Parts of Thomond now reside geographically between County Clare and County Limerick. The closest town to Dromoland Castle Hotel is Newmarket-on-Fergus. Known historically as “Corractlin,” archaeologists speculate that Newmarket-on-Fergus grew atop two historical marketplaces that resided along the Ogarney River many centuries ago. Local myths persist that Sir Edward O’Brien, the 2nd Baronet of Leaghmenagh, insisted that the town change its name to “Newmarket-on-Fergus” in honor of the horse-racing track in Newmarket, England. Further to the south is the City of Limerick, which raiding Norsemen founded around 922. Serving as the seat for the Kingdom of Thomond from 1106 to 1174, Limerick gradually emerged as one of the most economically important settlements in Ireland. Visitors today can visit outstanding historic sites within the city limits, such St. Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle. Guests staying at Dromoland Castle Hotel can even explore the many more historic sites that inhabit the Wild Atlantic Way—a heritage route that traces the western Irish coast from Cork to Donegal. Among the most fascinating landmarks to resides along the trail are the Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Michael, Slieve League, and The Burren.

The Architecture

While some elements of Dromoland Castle date all the way back to the 11th century, most of the structure hails from the early 1800s. Much of the work came about from the desire of Sir Edward O’Brien, the 4th Baronet of Leaghmenagh, to renovate the Dromoland Castle upon his inheritance of the estate during the 18th century. O’Brien had hired two English architects to oversee the project: James and George Richard Pain. Acolytes of the renowned John Nash, the two brothers had worked on a number of historic structures throughout Ireland, including Strancally Castle and St. James’ Church in County Cork. The Pains masterfully employed Gothic Revival-style architecture when restoring Dromoland Castle, taking great care to preserve each one of the structure’s four unique castellated turrets. Inside, the interior spaces contained many outstanding features that are still visible today, such as radiant chandeliers, gold cornices, and paneled corridors. Today, many of the castle’s impressive rooms—such as the drawing room and the main lounge—appear as they did when the O’Briens occupied the grounds. The octagonal-shaped study located under the round tower is now a cocktail lounge and dining area. Its exterior dark blue limestone continues to display the fine craftsmanship used to erect them in place many centuries ago. And the historic porch on the north side of the building still guides guests toward a magnificent carving of the O’Brien family coat of arms. Dromoland Castle also offers over 450-acres of gardens to behold. Similar in appearance to the famed Gardens at Versailles, these wonderfully landscaped spaces were originally designed by Andrew Le Notre. Visitors uncover many unexpected features at every twist and turn, including the picturesque lily pond and a dramatic yew tree gallery that dates back to 1740.

Famous Historic Guests

Cary Grant, renowned actor known for such roles in To Catch a Thief, Charade, and North by Northwest.
Robert Redford, famous actor known for such roles in Out of Africa, All the President’s Men, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Johnny Cash, celebrated country music star who had sold more than 90 million records throughout his lifetime.
John Lennon, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the legendary rock band, The Beatles.
Paul McCartney, lead vocalist and bassist for the legendary rock band, The Beatles.
George Harrison, vocalist and lead guitarist for the legendary rock band, The Beatles.
Ringo Starr, drummer for legendary rock band, The Beatles.
Muhammad Ali, famous African American boxer and Civil Rights activist known by many as “The Greatest.”
King Juan Carlos I of Spain (1975 – 2014)
Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid revolutionary and 1st President of South Africa.
Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States (1993 – 2001)
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States (2001 – 2008)

Film, TV and Media Connections

High Spirits (1988)

History Mystery

On the grounds of Dromoland Castle Hotel, there is a temple dedicated to which deity?
On the grounds of Dromoland Castle, encircled by yew trees, stands a temple dedicated to Mercury. The building dates back to the early 18th century, when Sir Edward O’Brien, 2nd Baronet lived on the massive estate. Sir Edward is responsible for majority of the beautiful adornments that have stood the test of time at Dromoland Castle Hotel, including the Lilly Pond, the grotto, the walled gardens, and the Dromoland Turret. From this three story high turret, Sir Edward enjoyed excellent views of his racehorses training in the field below. The Baron is said to have been quite fanatical about horseracing, and was himself a revered racehorse owner and trainer.

However, Sir Edward had a terrible penchant for gambling, a bad habit that almost cost the O’Brien clan Dromoland Castle. Reportedly, in 1730, he gambled the entire estate on one race. His champion was the horse Seán Buí, named after the 14th-century Irish poet Seán Buí Mac Bruideadha, who wrote the poem Dlighidh ollamh urraim ríogh in honor of one of Sir Edward’s ancestors, Mathghamhain Maonmhaighe Ó Brien (c. 1300s).

Luckily for him, Seán Buí beat off all the competition and Sir Edward managed to hold on to the family estate. According to local folklore, when Seán Buí died, Sir Edward paid homage to the horse by erecting The Temple of Mercury on top of his burial site. The Temple itself features eight Doric columns supporting a lead-covered timber dome. Perched atop is a bronze statue of the Roman deity Mercury with his famous caduceus in hand. The question remains as to why Sir Edward selected Mercury to guard over his beloved champion? Perhaps it is because the temple rests at a crossroads, which are typically associated with the god. Maybe Mercury’s presence is a nod and a wink to Sir Edward’s gambling habits since Mercury was the god of luck and trickery. Or, it may be the god’s role in gently ushering souls to the underworld that inspired this memorial marker. Whatever Sir Edward’s intentions, they will most likely remain a history mystery.

Today, guests can visit the Temple of Mercury on foot or on horseback. Dromoland Castle has excellent horse-riding instructors and provides hats and jodhpur boots for guests. The hotel also works with local equestrian centers to offer alternative riding experiences on Irish farmland and green pastures. Pay homage to Seán Buí and gallop around the gorgeous grounds at Dromoland Castle Hotel.