Sommelier – Luxury Hotel

We are recruiting for a full time Sommelier  to provide quality service to our guests, in line with the Forbes Five Star standards and The Red Carnation Hotels standards.

Location: Cong, County Mayo, Ireland .

Employment type: Full time.

Working pattern: 5 days over 7 days (including some weekends & Bank Holidays) and 2 days off.

Who are we?

Join Ashford Castle and become part of a legendary story. As Ireland’s only double Forbes Five-Star Hotel & Spa, Ashford Castle is a true icon of Irish heritage and a proud member of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Beyond its grand stone gates lies an unforgettable experience. Once home to the Guinness family, this 800-year-old castle offers award-winning luxury, exceptional dining, a world-class spa, and a passionate team dedicated to creating unforgettable moments. Voted No. 1 Resort Hotel in the UK & Ireland by Travel + Leisure and proud to have retained the Forbes Five-Star award in 2025.

Key responsibilities of the Sommelier will include:

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 to the highest standard.
Maintain accurate inventory of all wines and spirits.
Deliver knowledgeable, precise, and attentive wine service to every guest.
Ensure guest satisfaction by offering confident recommendations and responding promptly and professionally to requests and concerns.
Provide exceptional guest care and personalised service at all times, anticipating needs and taking proactive steps to exceed expectations wherever possible.

The ideal candidate for the Sommelier position will:

Have a minimum 1 year previous experience in a hospitality setting/fine dining setting.
Demonstrate a strong interest in wine; a relevant qualification WSET L2 is essential.
Possess a warm, outgoing, and approachable personality.
Be enthusiastic, adaptable, and flexible with working hours, available to work 5 days across a 7 day period (weekends & Bank Holidays included).
Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Show strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards.
Be legally eligible to work in Ireland.
Thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage workload efficiently.

What's in it for you?

Professional, award winning training and development opportunities
Discounted accommodation rates with Red Carnation Hotel Collection
Annual Staff Appreciation Party and other Employee Recognition Events
Discounted rates with many local businesses and third party service providers (including Estate Activities)
Heavily subsidised accommodation (subject to availability)
Free meals on duty
Complimentary dry cleaning of business attire
Recommend friend and family bonus scheme
Two paid volunteering days each year
Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 25 days
Hotel based recognition incentives
Free access to Employee Assistance Programme

committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

As part of the recruitment process, we may electronically scan and securely store a copy of your passport, visa and/or ID card for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of the document and establishing your Right to Work in the Republic of Ireland, in line with statutory requirements.