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Arbutus Hotel celebrates 100 years in business

Carol Dempsey (Arbutus Hotel and Killarney Chamber Vice-President), John O'Donoghue (Mayor of Killarney /Cathaoirleach, Killarney Municipal District Council) and Johnny McGuire (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Tim O'Donoghue, Sarah O'Donnell and Chris Doncel (Gallivan Financial), at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Poet Paul Byrne, Jonathan Aber and Sean Buckley (Arbutus Hotel) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Carol Dempsey (Arbutus Hotel and Killarney Chamber Vice-President), Michelle O'Sullivan Darcy (O'Sullivan Darcy Engineering), Bernadette Randles (Dromhall Hotel) and Norma O'Regan (Killarney Chamber CEO) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Joanne McCarthy (Kerry Tourism Industry Federation), Paul Mulvihill (AIB), Regina Dalton and Jim Kennedy (MD O'Sheas) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Pat O'Leary (Kerry Tourism Industry Federation), Mike Stack (Tricel), Tom Randles (Randles Hotel) and Adrian Neilan (Kerry Airport CEO) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Johnny McGuire (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President), John O'Donoghue (Mayor of Killarney /Cathaoirleach, Killarney Municipal District Council) and Pat O'Leary (Kerry Tourism Industry Federation) at the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members luncheon in The Arbutus Hotel Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Arbutus Hotel celebrates 100 years in business
The Arbutus Hotel on College Street is celebrating a landmark centenary this month, marking 100 years of continuous family ownership and service in Killarney.
The hotel’s story began back in 1926 when Tim Buckley and his wife Julia first opened its doors. Having saved the funds to purchase the property Tim had long admired, the couple established a business that would go on to become one of the town's best-loved hospitality institutions.
A century later, a direct link back to the couple remains intact throughout the building. Much of the original Celtic Deco furniture and fittings chosen by Tim are still on display for guests today.
The milestone was celebrated during a special gathering hosted at the hotel on Wednesday, July 15. Members of the Buckley family reflected on the establishment's rich history and what reaching 100 years of family stewardship means for both the hotel and the local community, drawing warm applause from those in attendance.
The event was attended by local business leaders as well as Mayor of Killarney Cllr John O'Donoghue, who praised the ongoing contribution of long-standing local enterprises. Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce President Johnny McGuire paid tribute to the Buckley family and the hotel's remarkable legacy.
"The Arbutus is woven into the story of this town," he said. "To celebrate their centenary among our own members felt entirely right, and today's turnout shows the strength of the Chamber network here in Killarney."









