Living History Tour of Dromoland Castle

At Dromoland Castle

With a millennium of dramatic history and generations of family legends behind Dromoland Castle, it sometimes feels as though every stone could tell a story. “If these walls could talk…” Happily, they don’t have to. Our Castle Historian Dr. Jane O’Brien is on hand to spill their secrets. Join her for a fascinating tour around the ancient halls and lovely gardens of Dromoland, as she literally walks you through the centuries. Dr. O’Brien is a gifted and compelling storyteller, painting a vivid picture of what daily life was like for the lively cast of characters who once called the Castle home.

Experience all Dromoland has to offer by taking a historical walking tour with our Castle Historian, Dr Jane O’Brien. This Living History Tour allows you to step back in time and get a taste of what life was like for the lords and ladies of this vibrant country estate, as well as their many servants and tenants.

As direct descendants of the 11th century Celtic Kings of Thomond, the O’Brien claim on the land goes back centuries, but it was also a family home filled with laughter, drama, and intrigue. The grand demesne and lavish interiors of the castle are brought to life on the tour as captivating stories of the O’Brien family fill these beautiful spaces.

Travel Back in Time

Complimentary tour runs Wednesday and Saturday at 11am.

Private tours on request at a cost of €200 for up to 6 guests.

CASTLE TOURS & HISTORY WALKS

To book a history tour with historian Jane O’Brien, please contact reservations@dromoland.ie.

Go to Activities

Discover how Sir Edward’s love of gambling and extravagant spending nearly ruined the family in the 1700’s or how the arrival of the young English heiress, Lady Ethel, sustained the castle through Ireland’s revolutionary period of the 20th century. The luxurious public rooms feature many of the O’Brien ancestral portraits, but the stories of these individuals’ lives reveal both the fascinating culture of their times and the sweeping historical changes they witnessed.

A local from Co. Clare and a member of the castle’s ancestral O’Brien lineage, Jane O’Brien has been running historical walking tours for over fifteen years. With a PhD in History and using expert storytelling skills, she draws on rich historical sources to capture the lived experience of the past, in an entertaining and fascinating celebration of this magnificent castle.