Exciting Future for Carrigaline Court Hotel As It Celebrates 20 Years Of Great Service
Writes Leo McMahon
Just where would the people of South Cork be without Carrigaline Court Hotel and Leisure Centre? The hub of the local community is celebrating its 20th anniversary next Sunday and already embarking on an exciting new chapter with a multi-euro makeover ensuring an even better service for its ever growing number of leisure and business customers, as Managing Director Peter Collins and General Manager Jerry Healy outlined last week to The Carrigdhoun.
‘Our hotel is renowned for its friendly staff and personal service to customers and that’s something that has been maintained from the day it opened and something we aim to ensure going forward,’ said Jerry.
Carrigaline Court Hotel opened on November 11th, 1998 and built at a cost of 7 million pounds on the former Carrigaline Pottery field and was officially opened by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in January 1999.
Twenty years on, it employs 140 directly (around double that in 1998) serving a wide ranging clientele and along with availing of the services of numerous suppliers and contractors on a daily basis, is a significant contributor to the local economy.
Seven of the staff of the hotel have been there from the start: Barry Duggan, financial controller; Orla McKenna, office manager; Eilis Howard, HR manager; Kate Goulding, head receptionist; Keith Collins, leisure centre manager; Soniya McManus, leisure centre membership manager and Marguerite Quinlan, bar supervisor.
Jerry himself, who hails from Monkstown and has three decades of working in the hospitality sector, joined the team ten years ago.
Peter said he, along with fellow director Alf Smiddy, Jerry and all the staff are very excited about the future and first phase of a twelve months major re-development that commenced in October.
The project comprises total refurbishment of the 91 bedrooms (42 when the hotel opened in 1998), foyer, lobbies and leisure centre changing rooms and reception area.
‘The most important thing for our guests is comfort and a good night’s sleep is always assured at Carrigaline Court Hotel,’ said Jerry who pointed out that all bedrooms and bathrooms are being completely revamped in a contemporary style that will most certainly impress.
‘The leisure centre with around 2,000 members, is a big growth area in our business as more and more people seek to lead a healthier lifestyle,’ said Peter.
The gym is constantly being updated while the 20 metre swimming pool plus steam room, jacuzzi and sauna, is the only facility of its kind in the South Cork area and hugely popular. Overall, the leisure centre, with very competitive membership rates, is very much a community facility that next year will be getting a new reception area and upgraded changing facilities.
Of course, there’s so much more on offer at the 4-Star award winning Carrigaline Court Hotel.
The magnificent Alders Suite has hosted many memorable occasions over the past 20 years including weddings, concerts, dinner dances, conferences, parties, family celebrations, festival and charity events, you name it. The ballroom can cater for up to 400 while the Kingfisher Room next door is popular for smaller functions of every kind for up to 60 people.
Upstairs, the hotel has four state-of-the-art meeting rooms with capacity ranging from 4 to 50 that are availed of by many businesses and local organisations.
The luxurious Collins Bar is ‘the’ meeting place at any hour of the day. ‘You’ll often see up to 70 or 80 people every morning enjoying tea and a scone catching up with the local gossip’, said Peter while Jerry pointed out that a wide ranging new menu of the finest mainly locally sourced food is served in the bar daily (including carvery lunch from 12 to 2.30) from 10am to 9pm. What’s more, the contemporary Bistro restaurant offers intimate dining every Saturday night.
Facilities are fine but it’s service that matters. ‘Every day is different and that’s the beauty of the hotel business. You meet so many people so it’s never boring and we take pride that our hotel is deeply embedded into the community and we are very grateful for their long standing custom over the past 20 years,’ said Peter.
Whether it’s someone popping in for a cuppa after morning Mass or walk, a wedding party, a social event, a conference or business meeting, every customer is important and very satisfying, said Jerry, is the positive feedback about the friendliness and professionalism of our staff ‘because it’s those personal touches that matter’.
Peter also spoke about the high occupancy and tremendous support of visitors to the area, local businesses and major employers as well as the custom of suppliers in Carrigaline and its hinterland and with the Port of Cork due to relocate to the Lower Harbour and the M28 Cork-Ringaskiddy highway coming down the line, said the hotel is well geared to meet future demand.
Yes indeed, the future looks bright for Carrigaline Court Hotel where a warm welcome awaits every day. Find out more at www.carrigcourt.com
* Sister company of the hotel is Barry’s of Douglas, popular bar, restaurant and live music venue.
Barry’s of Douglas has always been a busy and lively hive of activity.
By day, it is the perfect and peacefully quiet place to catch up with friends or a have quick business meeting. While at night, it transforms into a social hotspot with great music from live acts and top DJs.
Furthermore, if you’re planning a party, event or celebration of any size, pop in and talk to the team. No matter what you have in mind, Barry’s of Douglas is certainly ready to host you and your friends and family.
‘Thank You’ 20th Birthday Party On Sunday Next
Everyone is welcome to the 20th anniversary celebration of Carrigaline Court Hotel on Sunday, November 11th.
It’s going to be non-stop party for all the family starting with a live broadcast by Mick Mulcahy of Red FM at 10am and running until 6pm with children’s entertainers, live music with Celtic Knights (4pm) face painting, balloon modellers, magic, lots of give-aways and much, much more.
‘It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the local community for its support over the past 20 years as we look forward together to an exciting future,’ said managing director Peter Collins who spoke of the tremendous goodwill staff of the award-winning family owned 4 star hotel have received from customers leading up to what promises to be a great day for all.
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