Castle Dargan Estate near Sligo can host conferences and meetings from 20 up to 300 delegates, as well as corporate parties, annual dinners and weddings. The estate sits at Ballygawley in County Sligo, about a 10-minute drive from Sligo town, on 170 acres of parkland with an 18-hole golf course.
Seminars and company events
The meetings and events team runs conferences, private meetings, team days and corporate parties. A dedicated event coordinator handles planning, and the team also coordinates outside suppliers such as equipment hire and audiovisual companies. Meeting rooms can be combined, so the layout follows the size of the group.
For team building, the estate points to water and outdoor activities in the area, including surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. These are arranged with local companies. Golf and a driving range are on site, and outdoor space is available for sessions on the grounds. The estate states that its spa is closed for renovation at the moment, so check this if wellness is part of your program.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are sold in customizable packages with a dedicated wedding team. Civil ceremonies can be held in the Coach House Lounge, an 18th-century room with a vaulted ceiling, an open log fire and a grand piano, or on the lawn in front of the restored Edwardian Castle Dargan House. The ruins of the original castle stand in the grounds. The reception can be held on site, so guests do not need to travel between ceremony and dinner.
Rooms and capacities
The Ormsby Room is the largest conference suite. It is an elevated room with floor-to-ceiling glass facing the golf course and holds 20 to 300 delegates. The Ormsby Bar, part of the same suite, takes 20 to 60. The Courtyard has a glass roof for daylight and holds 20 to 80 delegates.
The Ormsby suite has a drop-down LCD projector with 10 ft screens, a wireless microphone system and a closed-loop hearing system. It is air conditioned. Flip charts and portable screens are available on request. The meeting rooms are wheelchair accessible, and Wi-Fi and car and coach parking are free.
Accommodation
Castle Dargan operates as a hotel, so delegates and wedding guests can stay on the estate. The site does not give a bedroom count on the pages we read, so confirm the number of rooms for your dates with the team.
Catering
Food is prepared in house by the head chef and kitchen team, using locally sourced ingredients according to the estate. A range of menus is offered for meetings and events, with refreshment options for breaks. Dining takes place in the Middleton Bar and other on-site spaces, and private bar facilities are available for events.
History and setting
The estate takes its name from Castle Dargan, whose ruins stand in the grounds. The poet W. B. Yeats refers to the castle in a poem, which the estate quotes on its site. The setting is Yeats Country in County Sligo, on the Wild Atlantic Way. The golf course was designed by Darren Clarke.
Getting there
The estate is at Ballygawley, Co. Sligo, F91 F2DN, around 10 minutes by car from Sligo town. Free parking for cars and coaches is available on site.
