He extended a warm hand of welcome to stars of stage and screen and his smiling face greeted tens of thousands of visitors during a tourism industry career that lasted for over half a century.
But the familiar face of Donie Murphy, the highly-skilled concierge at the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort in Killarney is now be missing from behind the front desk following his retirement after an astonishing 51 years.
He has welcomed monarchs, presidents, prime ministers, Hollywood superstars, pop icons and even the man on the moon to the lakeside establishment in a dedicated career that saw the Millstreet, Co Cork native at the coalface of the town’s lifeline tourist trade.
Astronaut Neil Armstrong, actors Maureen O’Hara and Rex Harrison, top golfers of the calibre of Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy, some of the world’s leading politicians, major international industrialists and pop stars like Rod Stewart have all passed through the doors while Donie was on duty to welcome them in his own inimitable way.
But the most important meet and greet of his life was reserved for the hotel’s long-serving accommodation manager, his wife Liz, who he met at the hotel where she has worked for the past 37 years.
Little did Donie think when he first walked through the doors to start a summer job in 1962 that he would spend all his working days in the German owned hotel but he has thoroughly enjoyed his career.
“If you put an effort into your work you don’t miss the time passing and I’ve always enjoyed being with people,” he said.
Another Murphy family link with the Kerry hotel was provided by Donie’s brother, John, who retired as head barman last year after 50 years of service.
