Accor has announced that it is bringing the Fairmont brand to Ireland with the signing of Carton House, a historic estate located just 20 minutes from Dublin in Maynooth, County Kildare.
The development – owned by Belmullet Hospitality Group, a USA-based luxury property investor – is currently undergoing a multi-million-euro refurbishment, with Dublin-based McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects and Accor’s Design & Technical Services team looking to complete the renovation by the end of 2020, when the hotel will be rebranded as Fairmont Carton House.
Fairmont Carton House will become the fourth Fairmont-branded hotel in the UK & Ireland, joining The Savoy in London, Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland and the recently announced Fairmont Windsor Park, which is also expected to open its doors this calendar year.
The Carton estate dates back to 1176, then part of the Maynooth estate belonging to the FitzGerald dynasty, one of the most influential families in Irish history. The house itself was built in 1739, making it the oldest Fairmont property in a global collection recognised for its grand dame hotels.
Across the estate, the hotel will offer 170 guestrooms and suites, two 18-hole championship golf courses, wellness facilities and 1,000m² of conference and events space. There will also be a lobby bar and three restaurants, including The Carriage House golf club restaurant and a specialty venue within the Manor House.
“The Fairmont brand is known for its history and impressive locations and we feel it is the ideal brand under which to bring this iconic, historic hotel into the Accor family,” says Thomas Dubaere, COO, Accor Northern Europe. “The signing of Fairmont Carton House reflects our expertise in the luxury segment and reinforces our commitment to growing our luxury offering across the UK and Ireland.”
Marc Dardenne, COO, Luxury Brands, Accor Europe, adds: “Fairmont was established over 100 years ago, in 1907, and throughout this time has played an important role in cementing the locations where its hotels are based as key destinations for visitors. Luxury travel experiences should focus on delivering fantastic, second-to-none service which embodies the heart of the destination, so visitors feel they are staying somewhere unique. Fairmont Carton House will do just that, whether guests are visiting for the golf resort, spa or hotel.”
John Mullen of Belmullet Hospitality Group, and his family, comments: “Carton House is one of Ireland’s most significant landmarks and we are excited to have Fairmont, one of the most prestigious hotel brands, to work with us to elevate the hotel to its rightful place in Irish hospitality.”
The Mullen Family, owners of Belmullet Hospitality Group, are also the founders of US-based integrated travel, hospitality and leisure management group, Apple Leisure Group. The conglomerate consists of major tour operators such as Apple Vacations; destination management company Amstar DMC; and AMResorts, a luxury all-inclusive hotel management company in the Caribbean and Mexico with more than 70 hotels in its portfolio. The Mullen family’s real estate investments include hotels in Central America, Mexico, Caribbean and the USA, along with commercial and residential developments.
