The Castle

Catherine and Ron will entertain their guests at a reception in Dromoland Castle. Dromoland is one of the few Estates tracing its history to native Irish families of royal heritage. The castle, once the seat of the O'Brien clan, is believed to have evolved from a tower house built on the site in the late 1400s or early 1500s. There were at least three houses here, at various times, called Dromoland. They were inhabited by eight generations of the O'Brien family.

Murrough O'Brien was granted the title of first Earl of Thomond by Henry VIII in 1543.

The present castle, built in baronial or gothic revival style, was completed in 1835 and is in marked contrast to the simplicity of St John's Church.

Refurbished and transformed into a luxury hotel in 1962, it retains priceless reminders of the Castle's historic past. Splendid woodcarvings and stone statuary, hand-carved paneling, brilliant oil paintings, romantic gardens and fine antique furnishings surround guests during their stay.

The Earl of Thomond Restaurant offers a relaxed but elegant dining experience. Located on the ground floor, dinner can be enjoyed in an ambience enhanced by the soft music of the Castle's resident harpist. The bill of fare includes a large a la carte menu, a daily 'table d'hôte' menu and a selection of gastronomic menus. Executive Chef McCann's approach is one of simplicity founded on his classical training using the freshest locally sourced ingredients.

The Prestigious British travel guide 'Egon Ronay' has named the Earl of Thomond Restaurant as the best restaurant in Ireland.

The reception will take place in the Brian Boru Hall, named after the High King of Ireland from whom the O'Briens are directly descended.

The lake just outside and the romantic walled garden close by are ideal locations for wedding photographs

On the Castle's 375-acre estate, guests can enjoy numerous activities including fishing, horseback riding, golf, tennis and much more.

Formerly the Castle library, the Cocktail Bar at the top of the main Gallery now provides the cosy setting for pleasures of a less literary nature. Open from 10.30am each morning, the bar is a restful haven for daytime refreshments, with tranquil lake views and a gently burning log fire. Candlelit by evening, Irish ballads provide the background for after-dinner drinks to complete your evening.

Take the opportunity before the wedding to visit the Castle and enjoy a coffee in the Gallery, above centre, a snack or refreshments in the bar... (recommended!).