The date 1861 above the door of the Original House at Killashee Hotel signals a long history of the estate, located outside Naas in Co. Kildare.
The four-star hotel was taken over by FBD Hotels & Resorts in April this year, and the group recently completed the first phase of a stylish refurbishment of the landmark hotel at a cost of €3 million, with inspiration for the new look drawn from the heritage and natural beauty of the estate. The New Chapter of the hotel was unveiled at a reception in early November, attended by 300 guests which brought attendees through a gourmet journey from the old to the new chapter of Killashee Hotel.
Ger Alley took up the position of General Manager at Killashee five months ago, and hit the ground running. “FBD Hotel Resorts took over the property on 1st April, and everything was more or less ready to go and building work started four days later. So I had some vision on that, and it’s been non-stop”, he says.
The extensive refurbishment project undertaken this year included the hotel’s bedrooms, bar, restaurant, lounge and public areas.
The hotel’s casual dining restaurant and bar is now the Oak & Anvil, and Ger shares where the inspiration for the name came from. “The name Oak & Anvil has huge history and heritage to Killashee. It reflects the oak trees around the estate, and the anvil links back to the locksmiths and cobblers that worked here years ago. So, it’s a lovely and unique story, that reflects the history of Killashee. And our second restaurant is now called The Pippin Tree. There are orchards here with the signature Pippin tree, and our chefs use these apples in recipes and dishes. This restaurant has had a soft refurb as well, and it’s got fantastic feedback.”
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Read the full November / December 2022 Magazine Publication.
