In the world of Irish golf, few figures embody dedication, ambition and quiet transformation quite like Eamonn O’Donnell, the director of golf at Dromoland Castle.

Now approaching his seventh year in the role – the longest tenure of his career – O’Donnell is both reflective and intensely driven, eager not only to honour the remarkable heritage of the estate but also to push it further onto the international stage.

His journey into golf was gradual rather than preordained, and it is now impossible to imagine the modern Dromoland Castle without his imprint.

O’Donnell grew up in Dungarvan and followed a very different academic path initially. “My background would have started off going down the legal route & into Law,” he says with a smile, acknowledging the unusual pivot his life took.

“When I started at college, I never saw golf as a career. It was just something I loved and enjoyed playing with friends.”

To support himself through college in Cork, he spent his summers caddying at the Old Head of Kinsale. “Part of pushing myself through college was earning a couple of euro during the summers,” he explains.

That opportunity led to several remarkable summers in the United States, working at Pine Valley and Maidstone Golf Club. Those experiences, he admits, changed everything. “Seeing the level of operations there, the people, the service – it opened my eyes.”

After completing his studies at college, O’Donnell found himself at a personal crossroads. His father became quite ill, and a friend who managed Adare Manor suggested he take a job there. “He said to me, ‘Come up, you’ll enjoy it. You’ll meet loads of people, have great fun, play a bit of golf. And when you need to get away for family reasons, you can.’”

It sounded temporary, but it became a turning point. O’Donnell spent several formative years at Adare, involved in operations and even assisting with two Irish Opens and a JP McManus Pro Am. “Before I knew it,” he says, “you’re fully in. And I’ve been in golf for twenty odd years since.”

From there, he moved through roles at Mount Wolseley, Waterford Castle and Druids Glen, each time shaping and refining operations. What’s unusual about O’Donnell’s career is how he entered each of these positions… “I’ve been lucky – the timing and opportunity have always coincided,” he says matter of factly.

“Every role, has just felt the right time to take on the next challenge and progress my career.” It is an understated acknowledgment of his reputation in the industry: a leader who brings clarity, energy and a calm sense of direction. That reputation brought him to Dromoland Castle in May 2019, approached directly by then Managing Director Mark Nolan.

“When I spoke with him, it was very clear golf was at a crossroads within the organisation,” O’Donnell recalls.

“It was costing money. It lacked direction.” What was needed was not only investment but a vision – a plan to elevate Dromoland’s golf offering to match the five star excellence of its iconic castle.

His first step was the building of a new golf shop and welcome area, a project he was involved in even before officially joining. “The welcome from staff was always there,” he explains, “but the golf facilities didn’t match the standard. We needed something that reflected what Dromoland should be.”

The new shop allowed the team to elevate customer experience, grow revenue, and reinvest into the course – all foundational to the transformation he would lead.

Today, Dromoland Castle boasts more than 600 members, with most membership categories operating a waiting list. The club hosts roughly 38,000 to 40,000 rounds a year, an impressively high volume given the premium nature of the venue.

A key attraction is its ability to remain playable 365 days a year, thanks to strategic investment in drainage and course improvements. “We’re lucky,” O’Donnell says.

“Members get year round golf, which you can’t say for every venue, especially in the west of Ireland. We have an incredible team of greenkeepers lead by our Superintendent, Paul Coleman.

But it is in the visitor experience where O’Donnell’s impact becomes especially clear. Tourism – especially US tourism – is the lifeblood of the region. “We place huge pride in the visitor journey. A guest is coming in looking to experience something special,” he explains.

The practice facilities, now fully Trackman equipped, offer a high tech experience rarely matched in Ireland. “Toptracer is fantastic,” he notes, “but Trackman was the right fit for us. Our guests expect the best.”

One of O’Donnell’s boldest moves came during the pandemic, when he spearheaded the return of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open to Dromoland after a decade long absence.

“I thought, this event has disappeared – and it shouldn’t have,” he recalls. He approached the LET, gathered information, and brought the idea to the board, who agreed to back it financially.

“We signed the contract knowing we were effectively liable for €1.8 million per event,” he says. “But it was the right thing to do.”

The event achieved one of the highest attendance figures on the LET outside the Women’s Open, and its global broadcast dramatically boosted visibility for the course.

“People saw the golf course in a new light. It gave golf its own identity separate from the castle. In preparation for hosting the Open we had invested close to €4 million on and off the golf course to elevate the full golfing experience.”

As for hosting future major events, O’Donnell is clear: “I’d love to see the Solheim Cup come back to Ireland. And I think Dromoland would be an ideal venue.”

There have been early explorations, though nothing formal. With Adare Manor hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, the region is bracing for unprecedented global attention. O’Donnell believes the timing is ideal. “It would be foolish not to look at the bigger picture.”

While his role centres on golf, O’Donnell is now heavily involved in the resort’s wider expansion, including plans for 24 new accommodation rooms, upgrades to the leisure centre, and a significant F&B uplift.

He sits on the executive committee driving the development. “It’s exciting to be part of it,” he says. “Yes, it’s outside my original remit, but that’s the strength of Dromoland – we work as one team.”

He is also working closely on the upcoming purpose built greenkeeping facility. “Modern greenkeeping is changing,” he says. “We’re building something that future proofs the team.”

Despite this broadening leadership role, O’Donnell is quick to dismiss any notion of becoming a general manager himself. “No, no, no,” he says, entirely certain. “A resort GM is a different animal. I’m very happy in my lane as director of golf,” he laughs.

If there is one area where O’Donnell is less disciplined, it is his work life balance. “My mother says I’m married to the job and she’s waiting for the reception,” he jokes. “I’m starting to take Sundays off. I’ll put the phone away, go for a walk, clear the head.”

Into his early 40s, with no family commitments tying him down, O’Donnell almost moved to Dubai before joining Dromoland recalling: “The itch was there, but the timing wasn’t right.”
For now, he is fully committed to the next phase of Dromoland’s evolution.

“The region is buzzing – the Walker Cup at Lahinch; the Irish Open at Doonbeg; the Ryder Cup at Adare. It’s an incredibly exciting period.”