“It was fantastic to open my eyes to the differences in hospitality, the differences of properties - meeting other cultures, foods, everything. But having been there and having worked abroad, I think the main pillars remained with me from Irish hospitality - good food, good welcome and doing everything you can for your guests.”
We’re in lucky company with Peter Barrett, 4th Generation Owner and General Manager of Dunmore House, an award-winning, 4-star hotel on the Clonakilty Bay shores of West Cork, Ireland. Many changes have unfolded over the years since his great-grandparents came across this coastal farm in 1934, however, the one thing that has not changed is “family welcoming family”.
Having recently returned home from global studies and luxury hospitality experiences, Peter shares his excitement in continuing his family legacy, reciting the Irish Proverb “Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin,” as for him and the ways in which he treats his guests, “there’s no place like home.”
Today, as many like me celebrate their Irish Heritage, and many more celebrate an excuse to drink a smooth pint of Guinness, Peter and I banter about what makes Irish hospitality recognizable around the world, how the vista views from Dunmore House are unmatched, and why travelers should not pass up new Irish cuisine. Sláinte!
Top Takeaways
[1:40] A story that spans across numerous generations started as a working farm shortly after the Irish War of Independence, slowly turning into a community gathering spot for wedding breakfasts, growing into a proper hotel in the 1960s, of which the Dunmore House stands true to today.
[10:00] Peter shares the fortune he sees in his hospitality upbringing and how his time away from home - studying in Switzerland and working in Hong Kong, Thailand and the United States - gave him a fresh perspective and newfound appreciation for Irish hospitality.
[15:00] Expect to stay in a setting that is a “home away from home” - with familiar characters that will treat you as family, warmth felt from the welcome to the wood fireplace, food that will fill your stomach and your soul.
[17:30] Everything from the amenities in the rooms to the produce picked from the gardens is proudly Irish. Peter explains how there is a sense of sustainability and stewardship that comes with owning a property and being a part of a community for many generations.
[21:50] Dine In Good Company at Dunmore House, experiencing “a sense of place by the sea using the finest resources from West and County Cork” at the Michelin Guide recommended Adrift Restaurant, and other casual and alfresco dining destinations.
[25:25] There’s adventure abound around Clonakilty Bay, whether you choose to walk the beaches, go for a sea swim or kayak, seek out humpback whales off the coastline or meander through town stopping in magical and musical pubs.
Notable Mentions
John Hanly & Co Luxury Irish Designed Products
Voya Irish Organic Skincare
dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, Ireland
Visit For Yourself
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