Taoiseach Bertie Ahern officially opened the four-star Castleknock Hotel & Country Club in Dublin. A Tower Hotel Group property at the time it was the largest hotel to date in the group, and was part of a €36m project and developed in tandem with Castleknock Golf Club, a new 18-hole course adjacent to the hotel.
About 150 full and part time jobs where created when opened. “Today represents a great day for tourism, business and jobs here in Castleknock,” said Mr Ahern. “The hotel will enhance our capital as an attractive venue for business tourism. And that is a sector that Ireland has the capacity to develop considerably. We have the quality facilities, backed up by professional expertise.”
Castleknock Hotel opened with 140 bedrooms and four executive suites, conference facilities for up to 400 people and a designated business centre. The Castleknock Golf Course, developed by Monarch properties at a cost of €10m, open in September 2005.
FBD Hotels and Resorts, known as Tower Hotel Group at the time, included Faithlegg House Hotel Waterford, Tower Hotel Waterford, Castlerosse Hotel Killarney, Temple Bar Hotel Dublin and Tower Hotel Derry.
In 2015 the initial 50-50 joint venture changed, with FBD purchasing 100 per of FBD Hotels and Resorts.
FBD Hotels and Resorts announced a €7 million refurbishment and expansion plan for Castleknock Hotel and Country Club in 2016. The development increased room capacity by 46 to 190 and created 20 permanent jobs on completion. The official opening of the refurbished ground floor took place in 2017, the centrepiece of which are two new restaurants: Earth & Vine and 22 Bar & Restaurant.
As part of the expansion plan, the day spa which was located on the first floor of the hotel – moved to the ground floor, with the addition of a new aerobics suite and five new treatment rooms. This increased the overall size of the day spa and leisure centre from 8,825sq ft to 10,760sq ft.
Commenting on the finished development, David Kelly, Chief Executive at FBD Hotel & Resorts, said: “The completion of the development at Castleknock Hotel is a landmark moment for us and a fitting end to 2017 which has been another very positive year for our Group. More bedrooms, more luxurious services and more dining options mean we can meet a growing demand from both the local community and the wider domestic and international markets, especially guests from mainland Europe.
“The Spa is a particularly important addition. With an emphasis on premium brands and a premium experience, The Spa makes Castleknock Hotel a real contender in the luxury hotel space.”
Construction was completed in early 2018.
The hotel has continued its expansion of the ground floor with two al-fresco dining areas. The Patio adjoining 22 Bar and Restaurant was built in 2020, and Earth & Vine patio – doubling the seating capacity, was completed in April 2023.