The Madden family has announced the sale of the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, Co. Clare.
The Temple Gate Hotel has been acquired by Kelvin Hotels Ltd, a company led by two well-known hoteliers in the Mid-West.
They are Dermot Kelly and John Gavin, who are owner-directors of the Shannon Springs Hotel, in Ballycasey.
‘Bright New Chapter’
“My father, John, lived and breathed the hospitality industry in every moment of every day of his working life,” said Paul Madden.
“However, now is the time that feels right for us to sell our business, and I personally look forward to the new and exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
“Our hope is that, under new ownership, the Temple Gate Hotel will begin a bright new chapter in its continuing story.”
Transition
The 70-bedroom hotel, bar and restaurant will continue to operate through a transition, retaining staff members and services at the four-star facility.
“We recognise and value the culture and ethos of the Temple Gate Hotel, which has been nurtured so carefully by the Madden family over the years,” said Kelly and Gavin.
“The Temple Gate Hotel has deep roots in the Clare community, which we intend to serve to the best of our ability in the years ahead.”
Family-Run Hotel
John Madden developed his managerial experience in the Lynch-owned West County Hotel before starting his own family-run hotel business in 1996, on the site of the Old Convent of Mercy in Ennis.
John and his wife, Vera, navigated a design and interior fit-out with developer Egan O’Connor, mindful of retaining the gothic theme of the original building.
Leap Of Faith
“The decision to open our own hotel in the centre of Ennis was a mighty leap of faith for the Madden family,” said John Madden.
“Over almost 30 years, the Temple Gate became very successful in spite of the Celtic Tiger crash, economic uncertainties, and, more recently, Covid.
“These hammer blows could have ended the story, but we survived and thrived in no small part due to the dedication and hard work of our team, our loyal customer base, and Paul’s leadership qualities.”
