Head Sommelier

About the hotel

Ashford Castle is an 800-year-old 5-star castle hotel set within 350 acres of woodland and gardens on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo. Part of Red Carnation Hotels and a member of Virtuoso, the castle blends medieval heritage with contemporary luxury, offering 83 rooms and suites, the acclaimed George V Dining Room, falconry and cinema. Service is classically Irish — warm, generous and impeccably polished — and the clientele is a discerning mix of international leisure guests and film-location bookings.

The work

• • Consistently meet and exceed guest expectations in the service of wines and beverages
• • Prepare the George V Dining Room for lunch and dinner wine service
• • Lead wine presentations, pairings and recommendations with warmth and expertise
• • Manage inventory of wines, spirits and specialist beverages across outlets
• • Curate the wine list, introducing new producers and limited allocations
• • Train and develop junior sommeliers and F&B colleagues
• • Liaise with wine suppliers, importers and auction houses to source exceptional bottles
• • Anticipate guest needs and deliver personalised service throughout the meal
• • Support the Restaurant Manager with service flow and cover management
• • Uphold the castle's 5-star and Virtuoso standards at every touchpoint

This role is for you if…

• • You have a minimum of 2 years hospitality or fine-dining experience
• • You hold WSET Level 3 (essential)
• • You have a warm, outgoing personality and genuine love of hospitality
• • You have excellent communication skills and strong stock management knowledge
• • You are legally eligible to work in Ireland
• • You are flexible across a 5-day week including weekends and holidays

This role might not be for you if…

• • You prefer high-volume or casual dining environments
• • You are not comfortable leading a wine programme end-to-end
• • You are not available to work weekends and public holidays
• • You have no interest in training and developing a junior team