News
Hotels swing the doors open to welcome guests back
CHECK IN: Bernadette Randles welcomes of the first guests, Sharon Sincox from Charleville, to the The Dromhall Hotel.
By Michelle Crean and Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
There was a widespread feeling of relief all around on Wednesday as the hotel doors were finally allowed to reopen to welcome back guests.
After five months of closure it's sure to be a huge boost for the summer season.
The Gleneagle's General Manager John Doyle said he was delighted to be reopened again and to give people a warm welcome.
"It is looking good for the weekend and the month of June in general. It’s a very exciting time and the staff are happy to be back."
Sinead McCarthy General Manager of The Brehon Hotel said it was good to be back and have their team back fully.
"We are excited, ready and waiting to share our new experiences with out returning and new guests."
At the Dromhall Hotel Bernadette Randles welcomed one of the first guests Sharon Sincox from Charleville.
"It's like Christmas, we are very excited to be open. We couldn’t wait to be back open safely and get back to work. We have also spent €1 million on renovations of our new lobby, new showers and outside work."
The sentiments were echoed at the International Hotel.
"We are delighted to welcome everyone back and are looking forward to welcoming locals from next week to our refurbished terrace and our new balcony restaurant," Tracy Coyne said.
Staff at the Ross Hotel were equally delighted to be back doing what they do best.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be open, especially after the long winter. I hope we don’t go through the same thing again," Ciara Treacy said.
General Manager of the Plaza Hotel, Maurice O’Donoghue, added that they too are happy to finally be able to reopen and that they would like to thank everybody that made it possible.
"As our 2021 season begins, we are excited to welcome back familiar faces and to greet new ones.
We would like to wish our friends and colleagues in the Irish hospitality industry the best of luck."
Photos: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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