Pictured: A four poster deluxe room at Dingle Benners Hotel. Photo: Pawel Nowak

Ireland’s newest hotel group was launched in the opulent surroundings of the Hibernian Club, St Stephens Green on May 2nd. Original Irish Hotels is a new tourism and hospitality brand representing 60 independent, owner-run hotels across the country, and promises to champion individuality, diversity, and authenticity among its members.

The brand – which is the largest collection of privately-owned hotels in Ireland – will both promote the destinations under its umbrella and manage domestic and international traveller reservations, acting a guide for visitors seeking accommodation ranging from historic castles and luxury spas to country house hotels and chic urban boutique locations. The idea is that no two visits will be the same.

“We believe Original Irish Hotels will serve as a fantastic guide for those travelling in Ireland. We Irish have a reputation all over the world for our people and food and the diversity of our landscapes and countryside, as well as our culture and history,” said Roisin Wallace, Group Director of Operations and Marketing. “Each of our hotels has its own personality and charm, and no two stays will ever feel the same. Original Irish Hotels wants to deliver unforgettable Irish experiences in hotels that are much-loved and minded by their owners and managers”.

Original Irish Hotels replaces two previous collections in Irish Country Hotels and Manor House Hotels. Its members comprise a mixture of three and four star properties divided into six different regions – Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way, Northern Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Lakelands, and Into The West. Categories, for visitors seeking a specific type of holiday, include Spa Retreats, Family Stays, Golf and Weddings.

Some 6,180 staff are employed among Original Irish Hotel Members, with a collective annual turnover of approximately €266 million.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin described the move as a “positive development”. Minister Griffin lauded the hospitality sector’s contribution to local communities and the collective tourism effort and noted that his government is “totally committed to assisting the work that you do.”

For more information see www.originalirishhotels.com.