Kenmare native Patrick Hanley has returned home to take the reins of the Lansdowne Kenmare 26 years after his parents sold the family business.
The four-star boutique hotel will be operated independently by Patrick and his wife, Aileen, who have acquired the 28-bedroom property which was refurbished extensively in 2021 by John and Francis Brennan.
Under the terms of the acquisition, they have a three-year period to complete the purchase of the hotel and they will continue to run their seaside restaurant, The Strand Cahore, in Co Wexford, which they bought in 2018.
Patrick’s parents, Breda and Bobby Hanley, owned and ran the then Lansdowne Arms from 1972 until 2000 so his family connections to the property run deep.
It was built in 1790 as a residence for the second Earl of Shelbourne, making it one of the oldest properties in the town.
“I know and love every nook and cranny of the hotel. It is part of my DNA,” said Patrick.
“I am very passionate about this heritage property as well as the town. Aileen and I will continue to run The Strand Cahore in Co Wexford to which we will add accommodation in the near future. Importantly, we are equally committed to delivering the highest standards of service in both businesses,” he added.
Patrick and Aileen are both very experienced hoteliers. He has worked in hospitality since his teens, starting first in the family business before working overseas in Europe and the USA. When he returned to Ireland, he worked as general manager at Sheen Falls Lodge and The Park Hotel in Kenmare.
Aileen, who hails from Co Meath, has worked in a number of senior management positions at Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Bellinter House in Co Meath and gas eneral manager of The Eccles Hotel in Glengarriff, Co Cork.
The Lansdowne Kenmare, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has 28 bedrooms.
KillarneyToday.com: Your go-to source for news in 2024. Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
