Driving the scenes of each and every resort in our selection is a committed workforce committed to safeguarding and preserving the excellent legacy of Europe’s greatest historic hotels. We travelled to the south of Ireland for a closer search at two extremely diverse places: a lodge overlooking the majestic magnificence of Kerry’s Kenmare Bay and a Victorian gem in the heart of Cork Metropolis.
Let’s satisfy some of the people at the heart of these planet-renowned resorts to find out a very little little bit more about what tends to make them definitely special — from inspiring foodstuff philosophies to a new campaign built to get friends included in area record.
Park Lodge Kenmare: Kerry, Eire
Kenmare in the south of County Kerry is a picturesque heritage town surrounded by the splendor of the Ring of Kerry. Overlooking the beautiful bay, the charming Park Lodge Kenmare dates back again to 1897 and prides by itself on serving up mouth watering, locally developed fare to its worldwide readers. We caught up with Executive Head Chef James Coffey for insights into his food philosophy and explored the day by day program of beloved Bar Supervisor John Moriarty.

My journey started in County Limerick in 1979 when I was born in the midst of fantastic land and deliver. Michelin-starred chef Aidan McGrath was my very first mentor soon after a selection of many years, with his encouragement, I ventured to London to entire my teaching in a number of inspiring Michelin Star Eating places.
Eire called me dwelling and I labored in a variety of five-star motels, moving by way of the ranks ahead of using in excess of as Executive Chef in the planet-renowned Park Hotel Kenmare. Below I had observed my tribe. I am an avid hunter and forager and in Kenmare I found the fantastic cafe to sort and cook dinner my style of food items — cooking neighborhood, ethical foods and performing with the neighborhood farmers, fishermen and growers who surround and supply the lodge. Their fields, boats and farms are stations in our kitchen area.
I am surrounded by a great workforce and am very pleased of owning attained RAI Hotel Cafe of the Calendar year 2019 and The Ireland Guidebook 2019 Chef of the Calendar year. I have had fantastic people today who influenced me on my foodstuff journey I dwell for meals and make the most of almost everything character supplies in Kerry.

Another essential member of the Park Resort Kenmare crew is Bar Supervisor John Moriarty, who presides about an remarkable in-dwelling whiskey collection. About the a long time, John, who researched at Middleton’s Whiskey Academy, has encouraged many new workforce members with words of information and teaching. He usually takes satisfaction in building guests truly feel at household in the sophisticated hotel bar and enjoys sharing tales about the neighborhood spot, its heritage and tradition. John unwinds in his no cost time with invigorating hikes on the close by Kerry Way going for walks route.
Metropole Hotel: Cork, Ireland
Nestled in the coronary heart of Cork City’s lively Victorian Quarter, The Metropole Hotel Cork is the city’s most legendary lodge, legendary for its significant standards of hospitality and heat service. Prosperous in character, this opulent lodge has hosted world-renowned authors, actors and artists and its welcoming atmosphere is very well-identified. We spoke with Basic Manager Roger Russell to obtain out why 2022 is a pretty unique 12 months for this historic landmark.

This year, The Metropole Lodge Cork celebrates 125 years in Cork Metropolis. As a single of Cork’s oldest motels, we celebrated with our #Met125 Marketing campaign. We wished to showcase our prosperous and one of a kind heritage as well as our hotel’s spot in background in the heart of Cork Metropolis. Our electronic staff took their capabilities offline and partnered with the nearby Cork Archives to curate an exhibition with images of our resort and the town all over our heritage.

We uncovered intriguing tales throughout the decades — together with the burning of Cork, a pay a visit to from Walt Disney and Ella Fitzgerald, the background guiding why Turkish Delight (a Persian delicacy) is now broadly acknowledged as a ‘Cork’ handle, and much additional. We commenced our historic excursions of the resort to allow visitors to steep by themselves in its history and find extra about ‘The VQ’ — the historic location of the city in which we are found. To become portion of the celebration, attendees can also avail of our anniversary offer, which features bespoke treats during their stay.
Curious to find out additional about our historic hotels? Check out the total Collection.