Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport is celebrating its 50th year in business, having welcomed its first guests in 1972.
The hotel was acquired by Ireland’s largest hotel operator, Dalata Hotel Group Plc, in 2014.
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport 50th Birthday
To mark the hotel’s 50th anniversary, Dalata is planning a special event to celebrate past and present staff, many of whom have been working there their entire careers.
The event will commemorate staff such as Pat Fox, who is the current head of transport and has been with the hotel for 49 years.
He was preceded by his father who was a member of the hotel’s opening team.
Another long serving member of staff is David Steel who has been with the hotel for 43 years.
Steel, who is also the current executive chef for the Irish football team, has met many personalities who have stayed at the hotel, including Joan Collins.
The longest serving female member of staff is Jacinta Gorman, who has been with the hotel for 42 years.
As a key member of the food and beverage team, she is passionate about every guest's visit to the hotel's bar and restaurant.
Gorman has also welcomed many famous guests over the years, along with her mother, sister, and daughter who have all worked at the hotel.
'Landmark Achievement'
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport general manager and president of the Irish Hotels Federation, Denyse Campbell, said "This is a special place, and I am thrilled that we are able to invite past and present staff to the hotel to celebrate the 50th anniversary on August 27. Both in my capacity as General Manager and President of the IHF I am really looking forward to the event and catching up with colleagues, both past and present. As hospitality is defined by the people, it's vital to celebrate such a landmark achievement of the hotel and many careers that started at the hotel. There are so many wonderful stories from this hotel but perhaps one of my favourite aspects is the number of romantic relationships which were sparked here. A total of 12 couples met at the hotel when they were part of our team with several weddings taking place and then later their children coming to work here – it’s a true family affair. The hotel has also provided a springboard for many people to go on and have exceptional careers right across the hospitality industry. We are particularly pleased that we have been able to help people along in their careers."
Famous Guests
Out of the 4.5 million guests who have checked in since 1972, a number of them have been world famous sporting and movie stars as well as Irish Presidents.
Legendary Ireland football manager, Jack Charlton and Olympic gold medal boxer, Michael Carruth have stayed at the hotel as have Oscar winning actors, Mel Gibson and Colin Firth.
Musical greats also to have graced the hotel vary from Metallica and Spice Girls.
There have also been countless religious and political figures and in the 1990s the crew of Air Force One briefly swapped the US President’s plane for the comfort of the hotel.
Dalata Hotel Group CEO, Dermot Crowley said Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport deserves to be recognised as one of Ireland’s iconic hotels.
Crowley said, "As the first hotel at Dublin Airport, this is a hotel which is steeped in history. For many Irish holidaymakers it is the place, which down through the years, has marked the beginning of their well-earned holiday. We send them off already relaxed and refreshed. While for people arriving in Ireland they can be assured of a warm welcome at Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport. For the past 50 years the hotel has been a great ambassador for Ireland, welcoming the great and the good to our country."
© 2022 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
