GrantedCommercialDecided 19 February 2026

Dromoland Castle and Estate, Dromoland, Newmarket-on-Fergus

Major extensions and internal upgrades at Dromoland Castle, a protected structure.

2560818 · Clare County Council · Lodged 19 December 2025

Reference: 2560818
Authority: Clare County Council
Register status: Decided
Type: PERMISSION
Received: 19 December 2025

Summary

AI-generated

The development at the protected castle estate includes demolishing non-original courtyard structures to build an 11m high glazed roof for guest dining. It also features a part-three/part-four storey extension to the east wing to add 17 guest rooms, alongside extensive internal kitchen and bar upgrades.

Commercialhotelcastleheritage

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

For development at dromoland castle and estate, (dromoland castle is a protected structure: rps no. 278). The development will consist of: the demolition of the 20th century / non-original infill structures at the castle courtyard and the construction of a glazed roof structure (max height c. 11m) to provide additional internal guest recreation / dining space for guests (c. 300sqm additional floor area); demolition of existing part one/part two element and the construction of a part three/part four storey extension to the existing 21st century castle's east wing to provide additional guest accommodation, resulting in the loss of 1 no. Existing guest room and an additional 17 no. Guest rooms, resulting in a net gain of 16 no. Rooms within this part of the castle. Internal upgrades and reconfiguration to the castle's ground floor, resulting in a consolidated kitchen / back of house area and improved and extended guest dining and bar facilities, installation of new lift, alterations to ancillary facilities and loss of 3 no. Existing guest bedrooms. Internal upgrades and reconfiguration at the castle's lower ground floor level, to provide additional bar space, kitchen facilities, the upgrade of existing spa areas together with the introduction of new wet spa facilities, all resulting in the loss of back of house space and 1 no. Guest bedroom. Removal of existing deck and canopy and the extension of the existing clubhouse building through the reinstatement of the former orangery building to provide a guest restaurant / event space; alteration and change of use of existing farm structures from agricultural to a golf maintenance facility and central delivery and procurement hub for the estate, including staff car parking to provide 11 no. Spaces, including accessible spaces and ev charging spaces; and the provision of new / formalised car park to serve the castle guests and brian boru hall (event facilities) to provide 85 no. Spaces, including accessible spaces and ev charging spaces. The proposed development will also comprise all ancillary landscaping and boundary treatment works, site services, wayfinding, site lighting, and all other associated site excavation, construction compound, infrastructural and site development works. The planning application includes a natura impact statement

Key dates

Timeline

Application received19 December 2025
Decision due21 February 2026
Decision issued19 February 2026
Grant issued25 March 2026
Permission expiry24 March 2031

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