Phase one of the mammoth undertaking is complete following the opening of a new glasshouse and surrounding gardens on the 40-acre estate.
Dromquinna Estate Transformation and Legacy Vision
When Shelly Maguire, CEO of the Blue Book, met with visitors to discuss the Dromquinna grounds, she identified the initiative as John Brennan’s legacy project, maintaining a decades-long relationship between the Blue Book, the Park Hotel Kenmare, and the Brennans. John Brennan rejects personal ego regarding the label, clarifying instead that the ambitious garden development forms Dromquinna’s long-term legacy.
The estate acquisition occurred in 2011 after years of abandonment, during which a manor house sat without a roof and overgrown grounds obscured the tennis courts for six months. Initially acquired as a financial buffer during the Celtic Tiger economic downturn—bolstered by national profile gains from the television series At Your Service—the property evolved from an insurance policy into a family-run destination.
Pro Tip: When designing wild landscapes inspired by William Robinson’s Gravetye Manor principles, head gardener Holly McQuillan advises planting with a 50-to-100-year horizon in mind rather than focusing solely on immediate aesthetic polish.
Headhunting Horticulturist Holly McQuillan
To execute the planting vision, John Brennan headhunted horticulturist Holly McQuillan, whom he originally met while touring Tresco Abbey Gardens off the coast of Cornwall. Recognizing her experience through her work in soil management, and noting her family background—her mother works in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin—Brennan recruited her from Airfield to join the Kenmare property as head gardener.
McQuillan and the Brennans completed phase one, establishing the glasshouse and initial planting schemes where roadways and grass previously dominated. The design philosophy bypasses traditional manicured English garden layouts in favor of wild, naturalistic spaces akin to Gravetye Manor, aiming to create an immersive landscape featuring cliff walks and island pathways.
Family Operations and Future Expansion Plans
The 40-acre estate operates as a family business involving John, Gwen, and their 29-year-old son Adam Brennan. Adam returned to Kenmare in 2024 following a career sailing yachts internationally to manage the property alongside his parents. According to Adam, operations function without rigid job titles, relying instead on mutual respect and collaborative management across the glamping facilities, Shutters waterside bar, and the Boathouse restaurant.
Future development plans include converting the estate’s gate lodge into a two-bedroom suite, alongside continuous refurbishments of existing structures such as the Potting Sheds, Bolt Hole, and Blackberry Lodge. The Brennans have committed to avoiding new architectural builds across the 40-acre site, restricting future updates strictly to the renovation of existing historical footprints.
Did You Know? The 40-acre waterfront site at Dromquinna was previously targeted by consortiums proposing the construction of 64 houses before John and Gwen Brennan successfully secured the property in 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired the new gardens at Dromquinna?
The gardens are inspired by Gravetye Manor, an 19th-century estate designed by Irish-born horticulturist William Robinson, focusing on wild garden principles rather than traditional manicured layouts.
Who manages the Dromquinna estate?
The property is managed as a family enterprise by John, Gwen, and their son Adam Brennan, supported by head gardener Holly McQuillan.
Can visitors stay overnight at Dromquinna?
Yes, the estate offers signature glamping tents, renovated Potting Sheds, the Bolt Hole, and Blackberry Lodge as accommodation options alongside its dining and garden amenities.
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