2024 Award Winners ‘HOSPITALITY HERO’ AWARD 2024

Mark Nolan, Dromoland Castle, Co Clare

The ancestral home of the O’Briens, barons of Inchiquin and direct descendants of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, Dromoland Castle is one of the few Irish estates tracing its history back to Gaelic royal families. While it is now one of Ireland’s grandest hotels, it is also – thanks largely to the warm and mindful care of Managing Director Mark Nolan and his team - one of the best-loved. Since being appointed General Manager in 1989 (and becoming Managing Director in 1996) the Dublin native is seemingly synonymous with Dromoland Castle Resort and - having overseen the development of this wonderful property for over 30 years – he is closely associated not only with the many improvements made in relation to the guest experience (a recent example being the opening of a luxurious new spa in 2023) but also with its many sustainability initiatives, and major developments affecting the general area including the 2012 acquisition of the neighbouring Clare Inn, which now operates so successfully as the complementary sister property, The Inn at Dromoland. Jointly, the properties are a huge boon to the West/Mid-West regions, which Mark Nolan has championed so vigorously in many ways – and specifically by encouraging business and hospitality leaders in the region to support the promotion of one of Ireland’s best and yet under-used amenities, Shannon Airport. A dedicated hospitality professional to his fingertips and a respected mentor, Mark Nolan’s obvious love of Dromoland and its heritage, his adopted region, and of everything to do with hospitality is an inspiration to those thinking of joining industry – at a time when finding ways to activate the hospitality gene in young people is more important than ever.