Hotels

Castleknock's 10th Birthday

Castleknock Hotel & Country Club celebrated its 10th Birthday with a Gala Dinner . Special guests Minister Leo Varadkar, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cou

castlek158

ncellor Jack Chambers and Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid joined members of the Board of Directors of FBD Property & Leisure who own and operate the Castleknock Hotel & Country Club and General Manager of the hotel Guy Thompson in welcoming guests to the celebratory event to mark the occasion.

Pictured are Andrew Kavanagh, Michelle and Alan Finglas.

Dublin Hotel Rates near €100

Crowe Horwath’s Annual Irish Hotel Survey 2015 reports gains all round but highlights dominance in the capital. Dublin recorded occupancy levels of 77.2 per cent in 2014 compared to 76.3 per cent the previous year. Average room rates have also risen significantly from €90.73 to €97.25 or by 7.2 per cent.

And while this compares with the 2006 peak of €120.38, it is ahead of the midlands and east (€79.36), the southwest (€79.43) and west (€67.50).

On a national level room occupancy grew from 65.9 per cent to 67.8 per cent. Average room rates rose to €82.29 from €77.49.

Key influences in the growth were an increase of 8.9 per cent in overseas visitors; a weakening euro against the dollar and sterling ;and increased domestic activity . Internet bookings accounted for 43.2 per cent of reservations.

Clarion's 10

It was ten out ten for the Clarion Hotel in Cork as management and staff held a stylish event to celebrate their 10th year in business.

mb clarion corporate 31

Pictured are Daragh Brady, General Manager, Clarion Hotel Cork; Maura Derrane of RTE Today Show and Ray Kelleher, Marketing Manager,

Invited guests sipped prosecco and enjoyed a special Taste of the English Market canapé reception before a 4-course dinner and a fashion show in The Pegasus suite overlooking the River Lee, hosted by Maura Derrane.

Guests included Emer O’Hea from RED FM, Claire Nash, Cork Business Association President, representatives from local businesses, Network Cork and Cork Chamber.

Four Stars for Fitzgeralds

A €1m refurbishment project has delivered four-star results for Adare’s Fitzgerald family as Fáilte Ireland has added an additional star to the rating

fitz156

of their Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa.

The family run property, which is a founding member of the Irish Country Hotels collection, began life 40 years ago as a four-bedroomed bed and breakfast (B&B) run by Mary and Dick Fitzgerald as a way to supplement their farming income. Today, it is an 89-room four-star hotel employing 200 people.

Proprietor of the Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa Mary Fitzgerald said that being awarded a fourth star is an honour for the entire team.

As well as running a busy hotel, restaurant and spa, Mary Fitzgerald and her children (David, Elaina, Conor and Richard) are actively involved in the hospitality industry at a regional and national level.

€50m makeover at Ashford

001ashford Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to formally re-open Ashford Castle Hotel this week following a €50m make-over.

Red Carnation Group, which bought the hotel last year, has spent heavily on replacing 820 windows, rewiring the building, refubishing guest and public rooms, adding a 32 seater cinema and a billiard room. A spa and swimming pool will open in July. Coal bunkers have been converted into wine cellars and €500 has been spent on the 9 hole golf course.

Red Carnation is owned by Stanley and Beatrice Tollmann who are both in their eighties. The hotel general maanager is Niall Rochford.