Business
Opening of Days Hotel "The Harlequin"
By Bryana Hindle
31, Mar 2007 - 11:07

Over 150 business partners, investors, local dignitaries, special guests, media, friends and family joined Pat and Mary Jennings at the exclusive new Days Hotel "The Harlequin" on Friday 23rd March in Castlebar, to celebrate the official opening of the hotel.

The new boutique hotel, developed by Pat and Mary Jennings of Harlequin Developments, is being managed by the PREM Group’s international franchise, Days Hotel. Boasting the ultimate in vintage glamour, it’s a welcome breath of fresh air in the centre of the bustling shopping and commercial town.

Pictured at the official opening of Days Hotel 'The Harlequin', Castlebar, from left: Canon Paddy Curran, P.P. Castlebar, who performed the Blessing; Des Hynes, Manager Days 'Harlequin Hotel' Castlebar; Peter Kelly, aka Franc, event co-ordinator; Brendan Henaghan, Mayor Castlebar Town Council and Mary and Pat Jennings TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar. Photo: © Michael Donnelly

Pat Jennings welcomed all their guests and thanked the business partners and staff involved in the development of the hotel. Fr Paddy Curran blessed the hotel, and further speeches were also delivered by Brendan Henaghan (Mayor of Castlebar Town Council), Jim Murphy (Managing Director, PREM Group), Padraig Flynn (former Minister for Environment and former European Commissioner), Dr Jerry Cowley TD, Enda Kenny TD (and leader of Fine Gael), each paying tribute to the Jennings family on this momentous occasion.

Mr Peter Kelly aka "Franc", provided that certain "je ne sais quoi" for the exclusive event, with Phil Coulter delighting guests with a private performance after a lavish candle-lit supper reception. And enjoying the evening’s entertainment and exquisite dining included James Waldron (Chairman, Mayo GAA), Beverly Flynn TD, John O’Mahony (Mayo County Football Manager), Lauri Quinn (Chairman, Connacht GAA), Paddy Kelly (CEO, PREM Group), Diarmuid Mauwe (A&L Goodbody), James and Heather Morrissey (Deloitte & Touche) and Pyers O’Connor-Nash (Bank of Scotland Ireland) amongst others.

Days Hotel "The Harlequin" offers 90 guest rooms including suites, Harlequin Restaurant & Bar, internal courtyard and hi-spec meeting rooms. All guest rooms are designed in a crisp, clean style with comfort and convenience in mind, with numerous amenities for the discerning leisure and corporate client. Meeting rooms offer a choice of contemporary rooms, with capacity for up to 120 delegates, complimentary wi-fi, specialized audio-visual equipment, automated sound and lighting system and more. Virtual tours available on: www.dayshotelcastlebar.com

Commenting in his speech, Pat Jennings said: ‘The success of this project to date was achieved by hard work, a relentless pursuit of our ideals, and our wish to succeed in a challenging environment’.

Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny TD, said hotels were buildings and that they may look very well, but bricks and mortar and modern facilities do not build a reputation. 'The trick for Days Hotel is to ensure that every person who walks through the door should be treated as a VIP so that when they leave and are stuck in traffic, that they would be able to say I wish I were back in Castlebar in Days Hotel'.

Former EU Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, described the Jennings complex as an entertainment centre to match anything there is in the country, even the capital city. He said it is exceptional in its quality and dimension. It really is the equivalent of any national venue catering for an international programme.