Dromoland Castle (Irish: Drom Ólainn) is a castle, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare, Ireland. It is operated as a five-star luxury hotel with a golf course, with its restaurant, the "Earl of Thomond", being awarded a Michelin star in 1995, under head chef Jean Baptiste Molinari.[1]
Dromoland Castle | |
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General information | |
Status | Luxury hotel |
Type | castle |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
Location | County Clare |
Country | Ireland |
Estimated completion | 15th/16th century (original) 1835 (current structure) |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | James and George Richard Pain (current structure) |
Earl of Thomond, Dromoland Castle | |
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Restaurant information | |
Head chef | Jean Baptiste Molinari |
Rating | Michelin Guide (1995) |
City | Newmarket-on-Fergus |
Country | Ireland |
Dromoland Castle was formerly the family seat of the Baron Inchiquin, until it was bought by United States citizen Bernard P. McDonough in 1962.[2] It has since then been converted for use as a luxury hotel.[2]
Dromoland Castle Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide.[3]
United States President George W. Bush spent the night of Friday, 26 June 2004, at Dromoland Castle to attend the EU-US Summit held at the facility. President Bush was guarded by approximately 7,000 police, military and private security forces during his 16-hour visit.[4]
Over the years, notable people who have stayed at Dromoland Castle include John Lennon and George Harrison,[5] Muhammad Ali,[6] Bono,[7] John Travolta,[7] Juan Carlos I of Spain,[8] Johnny Cash,[6] Nelson Mandela,[6] Bill Clinton, Michael Flatley, Richard Branson, Jack Nicholson, Robin and Katie Williams.
52°46′59.71″N 8°54′21.5″W / 52.7832528°N 8.905972°W