| Dromoland Castle | |
| Map Type: | Ireland |
| Status: | Luxury hotel |
| Building Type: | castle |
| Architectural Style: | Gothic Revival |
| Location: | County Clare |
| Location Town: | --> |
| Location Country: | Ireland |
| Est Completion: | 15th/16th century (original) 1835 (current structure) |
| Destruction Date: | --> |
| Architect: | James and George Richard Pain (current structure) |
| Unit Count: | --> |
| Earl of Thomond, Dromoland Castle | |
| Head-Chef: | Jean Baptiste Molinari |
| Rating: | Michelin Guide (1995) |
| City: | Newmarket-on-Fergus |
| Country: | Ireland |
Dromoland Castle (ga|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 was formerly the family seat of the Baron Inchiquin (built when the Barons became heirs of the extinct Marquesses of Thomond), 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.[3]
Dromoland Castle Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide.[4]
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.[5]
Over the years, notable people who have stayed at Dromoland Castle include John Lennon and George Harrison,[6] Muhammad Ali,[7] Bono,[8] John Travolta,[8] Juan Carlos I of Spain,[9] Johnny Cash,[7] and Nelson Mandela.[7]