Martin Gibbons, maitre d' at Ashford Castle, is celebrating his golden anniversary this month.
The Galway man was treated by colleagues with a surprise celebration at Ashford Castle as Gibbons recounted golden moments and memories from the years gone past.
'Memorable And Special'
“We’ve had the same families visiting us every year and it’s wonderful to see the different generations getting the same enjoyment that their parents and grandparents got from a visit to this very special place," said Gibbons.
"We treat every guest in the same way - everyone is important to us and we want to ensure that each stay is both memorable and special."
'First Proper Job'
Gibbons first walked through the doors of Ashford Castle in August 1974, starting his first ‘proper’ job as a commis waiter at the hotel’s George V restaurant.
Fast forward 50 years later and Martin is now maître d’ in the very same restaurant, meeting, greeting and seating guests, as he says himself.
Some of these guest have included Ronald Reagan, Rod Stewart, Fred Astaire and Pierce Brosnan.
Family Association
The Gibbons’ family association with the Ashford Castle estate dates back to the time of his grandfather, also Martin, who worked as a gamekeeper for the then owners, the Guinness family.
His father was a ghillie, fishing Lough Corrib with guests of the castle from the 1940s through to the 1960s.
Three of Martin’s five children have also worked on the estate and the castle is where he met his wife Breege, when she was working there as a chef in the 1980s.
'Home From Home'
“The Ashford estate has been part of our family for more than 120 years and for me, while I have never stayed in the castle, it feels like a home from home," said Gibbons.
"There’s nowhere like it in the world and I would really miss both the place and of course the people, if I ever decide to retire.”
'An Absolute Legend'
Luckily, Gibbons has no plans to retire any time soon and hopes to continue meeting and greeting guests for many more years to come.
"Martin’s professionalism, his stories and good humour and the way in which he looks after guests make him, in my view, the finest maître d’s in the country, if not in Europe," said Niall Rochford, managing director of the Ashford Estate.
"He is loved by colleagues and guests alike and quite frankly, he’s an absolute legend."
