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Killarney’s stately house hotel reopens today

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REOPENED: Cahernane House Hotel reopened to the public today (Friday). Pictured were: General Manager Emer Corridan, (centre), with staff members Scott Kapitan, Mieszko Polakiewicz, Eric Kavanagh (Head Chef), Andre Butca, PJ Browne, Leona Hennessy (Assistant Manager), Peter Bicskei and Jordan O'Donoghue. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

 

By Michelle Crean

 

Killarney’s Cahernane House Hotel, described as Ireland’s ‘Downton Abbey’, which has undergone €6.5 million worth of renovations in a bid to return the luxury mansion house to its former glory has reopened today (Friday).

The property has been closed since December in order to allow a further €1.3 million renewal programme to be carried out over the winter months bringing the total renovation figure to €7.8 million.

The 48-bedroom hotel, situated on 6.4 acres of verdant grounds and on the edge of the Killarney Lakes and Killarney National Park, was recently accepted into Ireland’s Blue Book and the prestigious Condé Nast Johannsen’s Traveler Guide. The hotel also won an International Gold Award of Excellence for the best 4-star hotel in Ireland from CIE Tours International in January.

The stately property was built in 1877 by Henry Herbert and his wife Catherine and was purchased by PREM Group in 2016.

The €1.3m works include renovations to the former ‘Coach House’ converting the outside property into eight new luxurious bedrooms.

The elegant Drawing Room, overlooking Killarney National Park, The Library and The Atrium are all being completely reimagined. Julie Goggin has been commissioned with the interior design while architects, Moloney O’Beirne have created the design on The Coach House.

Work on The Library and The Atrium has been completed in time for today’s reopening while the work on The Coach House is expected to be completed by May, explained Emer Corridan, General Manager of Cahernane House Hotel.

“We have had a busy winter getting all the works completed on time for our reopening and are really delighted with progress to date,” Emer Corridan said.

“We all feel very connected to the building, it is part of the heritage and history of Killarney and Kerry and once the latest works are completed it will be one of Ireland’s finest hotels.”

Many of the original pieces from the house remain in Cahernane House Hotel today, including the wooden staircase, the Killarney Davenport table in the lobby and the pillar caps in the lobby, which feature the first letters of each of Henry’s first four children’s names.

 

 

 

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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