By Michelle Crean

For over five decades he has been the friendly face at The Gleneagle Hotel - and there's not many he hasn't met from around the country or the world - but this week it was time for Niall Doherty to say a final farewell.

EARLY CAREER: Niall Doherty pictured during the early days of his career with The Gleneagle Hotel.

Friends and colleagues gathered together to say goodbye to Niall who dedicated 51 years of his career to the hotel.

Niall began in hospitality in Jackson’s Bar in his native Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. In 1968 he moved to Killarney to take up a post as a barman at The Three Lakes Hotel. For the following three years, he divided his time between summers in Killarney and winters in London but love intervened and had him settle in Killarney for good. Niall met his wife, Greta Breen from Glencar, in Killarney and by 1975 they were married.

Niall joined The Gleneagle in 1971 after being headhunted by the late Maurice O’Donoghue and soon became a well-known face behind the bar at the hotel. In more recent years, he worked in beverage stock management where his expertise and attention to detail will be greatly missed.

Memories

Niall has a treasure trove of memories and stories from his many years in The Gleneagle.

“I loved seeing all the artists and musicians perform down through the years, especially Joe Loss and his orchestra and of course Joe Dolan. My favourite performance ever was by fellow Donegal man Rory Gallagher back in 1983," he said.

“Even back in the early days, The Gleneagle was always a busy place, I remember waxing and polishing the floor of the ballroom every two weeks - there was so much dancing between socials, weddings and dances. I loved my time in The Gleneagle, I made great friends over the years and shared many great times with guests and locals alike.”

Patrick O’Donoghue, who is among the third generation of O’Donoghue’s to work with Niall said, that they'd like "to sincerely thank Niall for his hard work and commitment over his many years at the hotel".

"I know our dad Maurice, in particular, highly valued his input and honesty," Patrick said.

"Niall always said it like it was, never fearing the repercussions. While we will miss working with him, we wish him and his family every happiness in his retirement."