Meet Joanna Moran: The Woman Redefining Wellness at Ashford Castle's Luxurious Spa
In partnership with The Spa at Ashford Castle.
Tucked inside the walls of the magical Ashford Castle, The Spa at Ashford is a unique luxury wellness experience that mirrors the tranquility of its natural surroundings.
Leading this award-winning spa is Joanna Moran, bringing warmth and expertise to her role as Spa and Wellness Director with over two decades of experience in the industry.
From her early days as a massage therapist to opening India’s largest spa and wellness retreat, here Joanna reflects on her career journey and her passion for crafting calm in one of Ireland’s most serene settings.
What does Ashford Castle mean to you?
I’m originally from County Mayo, so Ashford Castle has always held a special place in my heart. I have wonderful memories of coming back here with family all the time throughout my childhood. We loved it here – exploring the woodland, walking in the gardens, having tea in the drawing room, going out on the lake. To now be part of its story feels both surreal and deeply meaningful.
How has your career progressed over the years?
I started off as a massage therapist over 25 years ago and continued to learn and grow until I became an International Spa Training Manager with ESPA where I travelled extensively, training teams of therapists in some of the world’s most luxurious five-star hotels and resorts.
In 2012, I moved to India, where I had the privilege of helping to shape the spa and wellness landscape there. I began in Mumbai, establishing and operating a Spa Academy for the Five-Star Leela Hotel group, before moving to New Delhi as Corporate Spa Trainer and Spa Director for ITC Hotels, where I opened India’s largest spa and wellness retreat at ITC Grand Bharat.
After returning home in 2017, I established my own wellness studio in the west of Ireland, offering a curated menu of therapies designed to restore balance to body and mind. I also worked as a Spa Consultant on numerous projects both in Ireland and the UK.
Joining Ashford Castle felt like a natural evolution — a chance to blend my passion for wellbeing with a setting steeped in heritage and beauty. Here, every day offers the opportunity to create something truly meaningful for our guests.
It feels like the spa exists in harmony with nature.
What makes The Spa at Ashford Castle so special?
The Spa at Ashford Castle is unique – it has the most incredible setting, in an 800-year-old castle, surrounded by Lough Corrib and centuries-old woodland. It feels like the spa exists in harmony with nature. But it is our people who truly make it special. The warmth and authenticity of the team create an experience that feels personal, intuitive, and deeply restorative. Every guest is welcomed as if they were part of the castle family, and that sense of care permeates everything we do.
What treatment would you recommend to a friend?
It would be the Diamond Life Infusion Ritual by Natura Bissé. This luxurious facial experience combines advanced triple exfoliation with gentle body stretching, a relaxing Shirodara massage and an exclusive luminous gold and pearl mask. It is a magical experience that delivers incredible visible results, enhancing skin firmness, radiance and overall vitality.
What brands do you love to use in the spa?
We are very proud to partner with internationally acclaimed skincare brands Natura Bisse, Augustinus Bader and Voya. Each of these brands offers us something unique – with Natura Bisse it is the wonderful customisation and results possible with their incredible range of skincare products. With Augustinus Bader it is the cutting-edge science which goes into their formulations, supporting your skin’s natural ability to heal and rejuvenate. Voya, an Irish brand inspired by our Atlantic coastline and powered by organic seaweed, feels like such a natural fit for Ashford — local, sustainable, and rooted in nature. Across all our brands, we look for those that deliver beautiful results while aligning with our holistic approach to wellbeing.
How does it feel to have your work recognised with so many awards, this year's Best Spa in Ireland among them?
It is very humbling and rewarding. We are thrilled to win Best Spa in Ireland for 10 consecutive years now, as well as to be Ireland's only Forbes Five-Star Hotel Spa. This kind of recognition is a tribute to the exceptional team who bring our vision to life every day. Their passion, professionalism, and kindness are what make The Spa at Ashford Castle so special. While awards are a wonderful validation, the real joy comes from seeing our guests leave lighter, brighter, and genuinely restored.
What’s one personal ritual you swear by to promote calm in the everyday?
For me, it’s the practice of daily yoga — I do 10-15 minutes each morning and evening. It's a simple ritual that has a profound effect on my daily life. In the morning it balances my energy, so I feel calm and focused throughout the day and in the evening, it helps me to release any tension, and unwind, allowing my body and mind to reset. It’s a great reminder that small daily rituals can make all the difference.
Delivered straight to your inbox every month.
