Hotel rolling back the years with night of nostalgia

Director Mark Scally and general manager Michael Jacobi join current employees on the iconic steps of the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.
Pictures: Don MacMonagle

The faces have changed, the decor too, but life goes on in the Killarney Great Southern Hotel just as it has for the past 170 years.

This year, however, there will be a significant nod to the establishment’s fine past as staff past and present gather for a nostalgic reunion to mark almost a century and three quarters of service and success.

Another historic staff photo from 2002 including the popular general manager at the time Conor Hennigan, sales and marketing manager Michele King and head porter, the late Mossie Horgan

The gathering of old friends and new is lined up for Saturday, February 10 when the current team at the helm will host a night of camaraderie and celebrations to toast the business once dubbed the grand old lady of Killarney.

As part of the events planned for that evening, the team at Great Southern is encouraging anyone with stories to tell or those who may have memorabilia or photographs from Great Southern over the years to share them by getting in touch with the hotel so that they can be part of the night.

Long serving staff members Martina O’Leary and Kathleen Buiyan pictured with one of the youngest staff members Brian O’Doherty

The hotel has played host to many high-profile guests down through the years, including Queen Victoria, President Éamon de Valera, several taoiseach, sports stars and celebrities including movie stars Julia Roberts, Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles and British Royal Sarah Ferguson.

One story shared over the years recalls that whenever de Valera stayed he was accommodated in room 46 which housed an extra long bed specially made for him. with an iron headboard inlaid with mother of pearl. The bed broke during one visit and emergency repairs had to be conducted by a local blacksmith so that Dev could enjoy a cosy night’s sleep.

Prior to Michael Jacobi joining the team, over the years the hotel has been managed by several household names in the Irish tourism industry, including Vera Chapman, Liam Ryan, Joe Lucey, Louis O’Hara, Brendan Maher, Niall Kenny, Denis Hurley, Michael Rosney, Eamon Daly and Conor Hennigan.

There will be finger food and entertainment on the night and tickets, priced at €25, must be pre-booked. All proceeds will be donated to the Kerry Comfort for Chemo fund.

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