On Friday 2nd May, The Dromhall Hotel, Killarney, celebrated its 50th anniversary by welcoming a very special guest to the hotel, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, who unveilled a plaque to commemorate the anniversary and his visit.  

 

Three generations of the Randles family were present, including hotel founder Kay Randle. 

 

Kay stated “It has been a dream come true for me to be able to start a business in which some of my children, and now 50 years on some of my grandchildren, are involved. Every day is a pleasure working with our loyal team and our valued guests who have been the cornerstone of our success.  What sets us apart, being a hands-on family business is our level of customer care, which is paramount to us and always has been since 1964.”

 

In 1964, Kay with the support of her husband Neil Randles, opened the doors to The Dromhall Hotel, which was at the time an 18-bedroom hotel.  At the same time as raising six children, Kay, an inspirational and influential entrepreneur developed the business, encouraged by three of her six children who joined her in the business.  Over the years the family team has developed The Dromhall, culminating in a total redevelopment in 2000 transforming the property into a 72 bedroom hotel with extensive conference and banqueting facilities, creating one of the most popular wedding venues in the South West of Ireland.  In 1992 the family acquired The Rectory house next door to The Dromhall and another property was opened, Randles Hotel, a boutique hotel with a spa and leisure centre. 

 

At the special celebrations An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD stated "I am delighted to congratulate the Randles family on 50 years of excellence in the hotel industry.  It is a great milestone for them, and for their 120 employees.  As a former Minister for Tourism, I understand the importance of this sector to the Irish economy, and the valuable employment it provides throughout the country.  That's why tourism is central to our focus on developing the domestic economy in 2014 as we build on the outstanding success of The Gathering last year.  I salute Kay Randles and her family, on both the outstanding quality of the Randles hotel products, and their renowned hospitality which draws visitors back to Killarney year after year. I wish them many more years of success."

 

Kay’s son, Tom Randles, stated “It’s so important that we celebrate milestones like this anniversary and the legacy that my mother has created.  So much emphasis goes into good news stories about job creation – which is only right – but we should also celebrate job retention and the value established businesses bring to a community.  The Dromhall Hotel Co. Ltd has employed over 500 people and contributed in excess of €60 million to the local economy, not taking account for inflation, since commencing as a business in 1964.  We have done this through the guidance of Kay and with the amazing teams within our two hotels.”  

 

As the hotels prepare for another busy season, more plans are underway throughout the 50th anniversary year to celebrate.