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LATEST NEWS
October
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The Georgina Campbell Awards 2010
Freddie and Simon were absolutely thrilled to be honoured last Thursday by Ireland's top hotel critic
Georgina Campbell who awarded us "Country House of The Year 2010" at the award ceremony in
Dublin.
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"There's been a tendency for country houses to go all posh and designery in recent years - losing
their essential character and becoming, in some cases, too much like hotels. Not so this quietly luxurious
place which, although it is actually categorised as an hotel, retains its essential country house
character and a uniquely serene atmosphere" Georgina said as she described what she called "Simon and
Freddie Haden's oasis of warmth, comfort and hospitality".
At the same ceremony we were equally delighted to be awarded the "Irish Breakfast Award, Country
House Category". "Allow time to enjoy an excellent breakfast when staying at Gregans Castle. The
secret is in the quality ingredients, which sing with flavour."
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September
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GREGAN’S CASTLE in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, scooped one of the Irish hospitality industry’s most prestigious awards when it won the coveted Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Fine Dining, sponsored by Paul Jaboulet Aîné at the Gold Medal Awards in Dublin on Monday, 21st September.
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Gregan’s Castle beat off stiff competition from Ireland’s top restaurants to win the prestigious Gold Medal
Award at the event organised by Hotel & Catering Review, the leading magazine for the Irish hospitality and
catering industry.
Celebrating their 21st anniversary this year, the Gold Medal Awards recognise and reward excellence within the
Irish hotel and catering industry. A total of 14 category awards were presented to hotels, restaurants and
caterers at this year’s glamorous gala ceremony in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel which was attended by the cream
of the Irish hospitality industry.
‘The Dining Room at Gregan’s Castle was a revelation,’ said Sarah Grennan, editor of Hotel & Catering
Review and chair of the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards Jury. ‘Our judges were bowled over by the
magical cuisine served in this idyllic hideaway in the Burren. An exciting menu showcasing the best of local
produce was served with real panache. Gregan’s Castle has the wow factor, and its restaurant is set to become
one of Ireland’s greatest culinary stars.’
Nestled in a stunning location at the foot of Corkscrew Hill in the Burren, Gregan’s Castle is one of
Ireland’s most desirable hideaways. Run by the Haden family for more than 30 years, the charming country house
was also selected as a finalist in Hotel & Catering Review’s Country Houses & Guesthouses category,
sponsored by Laurent-Perrier champagne.
Marking their 21st anniversary this year, the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards are recognised
as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry. Competition for the awards is intense,
with a record number of entries this year, and the rigorous assessment process is judged in two parts – first on the
business case put forward by hotels, restaurants and caterers in their submission document and following that by a site
visit which is unannounced and conducted anonymously in the cases of hotels and restaurants, and announced in the In House
and Institutional Catering and Hotel Group categories.
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Hotel & Catering Review’s Gold Medal Awards Jury is made up of
11 highly regarded industry professionals who have been selected by the magazine for the breadth of industry knowledge and
experience they bring to the judging process.
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August
Gregans Castle Hotel Rated 6th Best Restaurant and 6th Best Chef in Ireland.
We were delighted to attend the annual Food & Wine Awards at Dublin's Mansion House on Sunday August
23rd where we received the following accolades:
Munster Best Chef Award 2009 - Mickael Viljanen - Highly Commended.
Overall, Mickael was rated the 6th Best Chef in Ireland.
"The exceptional Finnish-born chef Mickael Viljanen has in a very short time enamoured himself with
both local diners and touring gourmands, thanks to an exciting style that revels in the celebration of local
produce. Currently one of Ireland's hottest gourmet destinations."
Munster Best Restaurant Award 2009 - Gregans Castle - Commended.
Overall, our Restaurant was rated the 6th Best Restaurant in Ireland.
"With a strong track record for showcasing local produce and an exceptional Finnish-born chef, Mickael
Viljanen, the gourmet bar has been raised in Munster. Mickael's creative skills combine with an off-the-wall
approach to make this one of the best hotel restaurants in the land."
January
Gregans Castle Hotel in Ireland is one of Andrew Harper’s Top Hotels for 2009
Grand Award Winners revealed in the January issue of the Hideaway Report
New York – January 21, 2009: Gregans Castle Hotel in Ireland has been named a 2009 Grand Award Winner by
Andrew Harper in the January issue of the Hideaway Report, it was announced today. Andrew Harper’s Hideaway
Report is a top resource for intelligence on luxury travel and is based on unbiased, first hand research.
Hotels considered for the prestigious award must be relatively small and possess a strong individual personality.
Properties are also required to have a relaxing atmosphere and demonstrate a devotion to personal service.
However, all offer the traveler comfort, warmth and charm, as well as a spirit of sincere hospitality.
About Gregans Castle
Having been awarded many national awards such as Georgina Campbells Hideaway of the Year 2007, AA Courtesy and
Care Award 2006/2007, Good Food Ireland Best Member Award – West 2008, Bridgestone Ireland 100 Best Places To
Stay in Ireland 2009 etc., Gregans Castle Hotel has now followed these awards with this highly important and
prestigious international award from Andrew Harper. One of only 20 international properties divided between 10
global regions chosen each year it is the only Irish property to make the list in 2009. In fact no Irish property
made the list in 2008. In a list that includes the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence and Six Senses Yao Noi, it
is in particularly esteemed company and this reflects the continuous and genuine commitment that Simon Haden
and Freddie McMurray, owners of Gregans Castle Hotel have invested in their business over many years. Eschewing
transient fads in the hotel industry Gregans Castle Hotel places its emphasis on individuality, attention to
detail, offering real value, good food and a genuine sense of welcome and care. Simon & Freddie are very
aware of the importance and beauty of the Burren, the unique in which the hotel is located and have always
strived to make sure that the hotel complements and reflects this natural ecological paradise where possible.
www.gregans.ie
About Andrew Harper
Disappointed by out-of-date guidebooks, in 1978, Andrew Harper created an independent, monthly publication for
sophisticated travelers, Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report. Traveling incognito and always paying his own way, Mr.
Harper's unbiased reviews detail the world's finest hotels, villas, resorts and culturally authentic travel
experiences. Now, 30-years after the launch of his publication, Mr. Harper has developed a full-fledged, private
membership program, offering his loyal readers highly personalized travel planning assistance, bespoke tours,
exclusive trips, and other VIP services that allow members to step into Mr. Harpers’ shoes.
For more information, please visit www.AndrewHarper.com.
October
The Good Food Ireland Awards 2008 – Gregans Castle Hotel - REGIONAL WINNER - WEST
The Good Food Ireland Awards Dinner took place in the Shelbourne Hotel Dublin on Monday night 29th September
and provided a showcase of the best of local and artisan food produce. Good Food Ireland is a unique
not-for-profit all island network of members who are diligently working to drive Ireland forward as a food
tourism destination. Over 300 key representatives from the food and tourism sectors including chefs,
restraunteurs, hoteliers, farmers, fishermen and food producers from the four corners of Ireland attended.
Guest of Honour Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and Good Food Ireland Chairman,
Redmond O’ Donoghue presented the awards.
"The key objectives of these awards were to honour those members who epitomise the philosophy of Good
Food Ireland and to raise standards within the food and hospitality industry," says Margaret Jeffares,
Managing Director, Good Food Ireland.
Good Food Ireland promotes the link between the food producer and the hospitality sector so as to steer the 9
million visitors to this country to places that are committed to using local food. Cuisine and food produce
satisfies new traveller demands for hands-on, interactive experiences. Good Food Ireland promotes the people
behind the food from the chef to the cheese maker and highlights the cultural relationship between a country,
its people and its food.
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Good Food Ireland Top Regional member Award West sponsored by Tourism Ireland.
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This award was judged across all member sectors and the winner - Gregans Castle Hotel,
Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, was selected as a member who most epitomises the Good Food Ireland
philosophy in their region, of committing above all else to using local and artisan food produce.
On receiving the award, owner Simon Haden thanked all of his staff particularly new chef Mickael
Viljanen and all the artisan food producers who supply the wonderful ingredients used in
his innovative dishes.
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Pictured from L-R:
Paul O’Toole Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and
Tourism, Winner Simon Haden Gregans Castle and Redmond O'Donoghue, Chairman of Good Food Ireland
pictured at the Good Food Ireland Awards, which took place on Monday September 29th at The
Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
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According to Simon, "In these difficult times for tourism in the Mid-west
we need to find new ways to attract visitors. In my view Food tourism and eco-tourism are the way
forward and will have the most beneficial effect on the local economy".
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September
Gregans Castle Hotel applies for the EU Flower Ecolabel
Gregans Castle Hotel is one of the first hotels in Ireland to apply for the EU Flower Ecolabel for tourist
accommodation.
The EU Ecolabel is an official sign of environmental quality that is both certified by an independent
organisation and valid throughout Europe. The European Ecolabel was created to reward tourist accommodation
services and tourists that respect the environment.
The Ecolabel:
Limits energy consumption
Limits water consumption
Reduces waste production
Favours the use of renewable resources and of substances which are less hazardous to the environment
Promotes environmental education and communication
We are currently going through a rigorous training process and hope to have our inspection in January or
February. For more on what we are doing see our Environmental Policy.
For further information on the EU Flower Ecolabel
May
Gregans Castle was featured in the lead article "Castle and Manor Hotels in the Irish Countryside"
in the May edition of the very exclusive Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report.
Gregans Castle gets the highest rating (97/100), higher than all the other Irish hotels reviewed.
A score of 95-100 represents "A truly great hotel/resort, among the finest of its kind in the world".
"The food is delicious and scrupulously sourced from local producers."
"Large windows provide lovely views of the Burren or the ocean."
"The public areas are filled with light and decorated with an eclectic mix of art that includes
everything from old hunting prints to an arrangement of African masks."
"the atmosphere is delightfully informal and supremely comfortable."
"In many ways, Gregans Castle is the embodiment of the perfect Irish hideaway".
The Hideaway Report ® is a privately published newsletter for the sophisticated traveler, 85% of their executive members hold
the title of CEO/President/Owner/Partner. It has been issued monthly since June 1979.
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The AA Courtesy and Care Award 2006
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James Cronin, Deputy Manager and Simon Haden, Managing Director receiving the award from Minister for Tourism, John O'Donoghue
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Gregans Castle Hotel of Ballyvaughan Co. Clare has won the AA Courtesy and care Award for 2006. This prestigious award is one of the most sought after in the industry, and is bestowed in recognition of the superb standard of hospitality and facilities at the Ballyvaughan Hotel.
The announcement was made at the annual AA Hotel Awards ceremony which was held at the Gravity Bar in Dublin on Thursday 12th October 2006.
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The event was attended by leading figures from the hospitality industry including Minister John O’Donoghue.
“Irish hotels are so much more than bricks, mortar and modern facilities” Says AA Membership Director Dennis Fisk. “The AA Courtesy and Care Award is about the owners and staff whose devotion and passion give Ireland such a wonderful product to offer the world. Gregans Castle is a magical place where the setting is beautiful and the staff have all of those qualities. Simon and Freddie Haden are the proprietors of this family owned and operated Hotel. They and their team are warm and generous hosts and deservedly enjoy a very high level of repeat business. The standards of Guest Care are exceptional throughout and compliment the lovely setting at the foot of the Corkscrew Hill in the Burren. Gregans Castle has been associated with the AA for 30 years having been first listed in 1976 and is a worthy recipient of the Courtesy and Care Award."
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The Georgina Campbell Hideaway of The Year Award 2007
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Simon & Freddie Haden receiving the award from Georgina Campbell
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We are pleased to announce that Gregans Castle Hotel has won a 2nd major award !
On 7th November we were presented with The Georgina Campbell Hideaway of the Year 2007.
This is what Georgina had to say about us at the awards ceremony:
"Peace and quiet are the dominant themes at the Haden family's gently
luxurious country house hotel overlooking The Burren. It's a place
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with a
long and interesting history and, although the present house is relatively
modern (only going back to the 18th century!) and has some quite recent
additions, the exterior is quite stark, which is in keeping with the
surrounding lunar landscape and gives it an air of mystery - such a contrast
to the warmth, comfort and uniquely serene atmosphere within. Big log
fires, discreetly hospitable staff, soothing luxuriously furnished bedrooms
- many of them romantic - and delicious, meticulously sourced food all make
this a great place to be: the perfect hideaway".
Firmly established as Ireland's longest running independent hospitality
Awards, these accolades are much sought after within the industry and can be
seen adorning many of the top establishments around the country.
Georgina Campbell's team of assessors at 'the Guide' are drawn from the best
food, restaurant and hospitality writers in the country, whose names remain
a closely guarded secret as visits made on behalf of 'the Guide' are booked
anonymously and paid for like any other customer. This ethical system
ensures an impartial assessment and, unlike most of their competitors
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