Waterford Hotels Win Big at CIE Awards

Dooley’s Hotel

Development on the site of Dooley’s Hotel began in the 18th Century and the hotel on the site was established by Mol and Kate Dooley in the 19th Century. The now internationally recognised Dooley’s Hotel on the Quays in Waterford city is a stone’s throw from the heart of the cultural quarter and was first was purchased in 1947 by Rita Nolan. Word of mouth boosted the hotel’s reputation and by the 1960s it had expanded from 8 rooms to 34. June Darrer soon joined her mother in running the hotel. By the mid-1990s both Tina Darrer and Margaret Darrer June’s daughters joined their mother and became the third generation to complete the family management team. In the late 1990’s Dooley’s expanded and reopened in 1997 with 113 bedrooms. 1998 saw the development and opening of the Rita Nolan Suite Conference Centre which caters for approx. 220 delegates. On February 9th 2023, Dooley’s Hotel was awarded a prestigious GOLD Award for the Best 3* Hotel in Ireland. This award reflects the excellent ratings received by the family-run hotel by clients of the largest North American Tour Operator CIE Tours. This is not only a fantastic achievement for Dooley’s but for waterford City and its place in the international tourism market and is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Nolan/Darrer family who have successfully put Dooley’s Hotel in the global tourism sphere. 

The hotel is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of all amenities and offers a range of rooms, including family rooms. It acts as an idyllic location for conferences and events and the New Ship Restaurant and Dry Dock Bar are popular choices amongst locals and tourists alike. 

For more information contact Dooley’s Hotel 

The Granville Hotel announced as Munster Hotel Merit Winners

The Granville 

 Also on that night, The Granville Hotel was announced as a Munster Hotel Merit Winner. The Granville is one of Ireland’s Oldest Hotels, it was built by the Newport family of Dutch Origin.  Throughout the centuries several well-known people of historical significance have visited The Granville including Daniel O’Connell, Letitia Bonaparte Wyse and Charles Stewart Parnell. However, the Granville Hotel is most widely known for being the birthplace of Thomas Frances Meagher, the man responsible for the Irish Tricolore, which was first flown in Waterford in 1848. In 1979 the hotel was purchased by Liam and Ann Cusack and the hotel is now run by the second generation of the Cusack family.

L-R Michael Skehan, Granville Hotel,Tina Darrer, Dooley’s Hotel and Christie O’Neill, Marine Bar

 The Hotel’s rich history and boutique charm insures it is a unique experience for those visiting the city. Widely known for its comfort, exceptional customer service and hospitality, the hotel is praised highly by locals for its carvery dinners. 

For more information contact The Granville Hotel 

Launch of Waterford’s Digital Story Trail

Visit Waterford were delighted to see the launch of the new Digital Story Trail on Thursday, February 9th. This new addition will undoubtedly complement the city’s culture and heritage offerings and enhance the overall tourism experience within Waterford. Waterford City & County Council in collaboration with Imvizar and Fáilte Ireland developed this new and exciting tourism initiative in the City. Visitors and locals alike can go back in time and experience the history of 15 City sites including Reginald’s Tower and Waterford Crystal. This AR experience can be accessed by scanning QR codes allowing the user to experience animations of characters from the city’s past along with historical facts and a timeline of events.  This experience can be accessed for free and will add greatly to the cultural and heritage experience in the City. 

Devonshire Day at Lismore Castle

The Lismore Festival of Travel writing presents Devonshire Day at Lismore Castle on Sunday, March 19th 2023. This exciting day will begin with a historical talk on Lismore Castle by the head butler, followed by a tour of the well-renowned gardens by the Castle’s head gardener and to end the day there will be Devonshire Cream tea inside the Castle. Places are limited and early booking is essential. Tickets €25.00 contact info @ 0863618264.