Hey there, my name is Calem Meehan and this is
my first blog post. I’m currently working up North in The Slieve Donard Resort
and Spa. The Slieve is part of a larger group called the Hastings Hotels.
Hastings Hotels
is the largest independent hotel group in Northern Ireland with seven luxurious
properties across the province including The
Slieve Donard, The Europa, The Culloden, Stormont, Ballygally, Grand Central
and the Everglades. This family owned company was established in the late
1960's.
Over my
three blog posts I plan to break them down for your convenience to read and
take what you need from this:
1 The first (this one) will be able Hastings, The Slieve Donard and Newcastle
itself.
2 The second which will follow shortly
will be a run through of my time in the kitchen, the stations I grew into and
what I did from July to January.
3 Finally the last which will come when I finish
up north will be a reflection, speaking about the busy Christmas period, Polar
Express and New Years and any advice I have for you who may look to go.
The Slieve Donard
The Slieve
Donard is nestled at the feet of the Mountains of Mourne, the Slieve stands in
six acres of immaculate private grounds and boasts 180 bed rooms. A golden strand
of beach borders one side while the mighty Royal County Down Golf Links frames
the other. This lovingly maintained Victorian hotel is now home to one of
Europe’s finest resort Spas and is equally suited to a short break, residential
conference or even grander events (So
many bloody events!).
Hastings
Hotels purchased the Slieve Donard, an old railway hotel at the time back in
1972. After much investment over the years, many now regard the Slieve Donard
as the “Gleneagles” of Northern Ireland.
It was originally built by the Belfast and
County Down Railway, as an ‘end of line’ luxury holiday destination.
Construction started in 1896 and was completed and officially opened on 24th
June 1898. It was one of the most majestic hotels of its time and was almost
self-sufficient with its own bakery, vegetable gardens, pigs, laundry and
innovatively a power plant, which also provided electricity for the railway
station.
Being just
30 miles (45 minutes) south of
Belfast and 90 miles north of Dublin (90
minutes), the Slieve Donard is nicely situated for any adventures you may
plan on your days off.
Newcastle
Newcastle
is a small seaside resort town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies by the
Irish Sea and is known for its sandy beach, forests (Donard Forest and Tollymore Forest Park), mountains, and the Royal
County Down Golf Club. The town lies within the Newry, Mourne and Down District.
The town
aims to promote itself as the "activity resort" for Northern Ireland
and its most special attribute is its location. The town has benefited from a
multi-million upgrade which makes it a high quality seaside attraction. The
town is supposedly twinned with New Ross, Co. Wexford, but being a Waterford
man I view it as another version of Tramore.
Newcastle
seems to be at its peak during the summer as a getaway for family’s to come and
enjoy for the day. But outside of the sun filled days and off peak hours it has
little to offer, few and far between places to go for food or drinks and offers
minimal entertainment outside of its few arcades. It’s ideal to drive so you
can venture away on days off but not essential.
At times
you may become bored of your surroundings but I didn’t move there for the
location, I went there for the work which I’ll speak in depth about in my next
post which will be coming very shortly!
