Dromoland Castle has announced that one of its longest serving members of staff has retired after over three decades with the hotel.
John Hehir took the position of director of sales & marketing for the County Clare luxury hotel in 1986, having spent the previous six years with Shannon Development Company and Shannon Castle Tours in the US promoting leisure and incentive travel to Ireland.
The Limerick man spent his 37-year tenure at Dromoland Castle travelling to and from the US, hosting dinners and promoting Ireland abroad.
'Banter And Craic'
“Selling Ireland overseas has never really felt like work – our worldwide reputation as fun loving, friendly and engaging people creates the perfect environment for visitors to experience everything that is good about Ireland such as our history, music, unique sports etc," said Hehir.
"I constantly met people abroad that recalled conversations and tall tales from years past, some not necessarily true, but always entertaining. It’s easy for visitors to be part of the banter and craic in Ireland. What we offer as a country is hard to beat.”
Keen Hurler
Hehir is a a keen hurler and previously won two Limerick county medals and all Ireland club medals.
Now aged 76, he intends to spend retirement playing golf, taking walks with his wife Yvonne and watching Limerick play hurley.
'Next Chapter'
"On behalf of everyone who works at Dromoland Castle, I’d like to thank John for his many years of exceptional service and wish him all the very best in this next chapter as he finally puts his feet up and hopefully allows his body clock to finally readjust to our Irish time zone!” said Mark Nolan, Dromoland Castle hotel director.
