The appointments include Antun Simunovic as Hotel Manager
The Galmont Hotel & Spa has announced a series of strategic senior appointments across its management team, further strengthening its position as a leading hospitality destination in the West of Ireland.
The appointments include Antun Simunovic as Hotel Manager, Ruairí Grealish as Food & Beverage Manager, Alex Petrou as Director of Rooms, and Patrick Minnock as Cluster HR Manager for both The Galmont Hotel & Spa and The Harbour Hotel Galway.
Antun Simunovic, Hotel Manager
Originally from Dubrovnik, Croatia, Antun Simunovic brings over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience across Croatia, Ireland and the UK. He began his career while studying Tourism Destination Management at the University of Dubrovnik, working as a hotel porter before progressing rapidly through operational roles.
Following his early experience at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, Antun advanced from receptionist to Operations Manager, supporting the commercial performance of 12 hotels across Southern Croatia. His international career has since included senior leadership roles such as General Manager at Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Hotel Manager at InterContinental London O2, and most recently General Manager at Trim Castle Hotel.
Commenting on his appointment, Antun said:
“I look forward to helping young ‘hoteliers to be’ navigate and adapt to the ever-changing hospitality industry, building the skills, resilience and passion needed to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding career here at The Galmont Hotel.”
Ruairí Grealish, Food & Beverage Manager
Galway native Ruairí Grealish joins the team as Food & Beverage Manager, bringing both international experience and strong local roots. A graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management, Ruairí began his career working in his family business on High Street before gaining valuable experience in Swiss hotels, where he worked across French- and German-speaking environments.
A keen beekeeper and member of Galway Judo Club, Ruairí has recently returned from six months of travel and is eager to reconnect with the local community.
“The Galmont Hotel & Spa has been a true market leader since it opened its doors 25 years ago. I’m looking forward to getting back involved with the local community through my role and contributing to the continued success of the hotel,” he said.
Alex Petrou, Director of Rooms
Greek-Belgian national Alex Petrou brings extensive international hospitality expertise to his new role as Director of Rooms. Having begun his career at Disneyland Paris, where he spent 17 years, Alex most recently worked at the Forbes Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel Prague.
Fluent in eight languages (and hoping to add Irish as his ninth) Alex has a passion for culture and travel, with a long held a connection with Ireland.
“I visited Galway several years ago and fell in love with the culture and the people. I knew this was where I wanted to settle—especially Galway, where it almost feels like being on holiday every day,” he commented.
Patrick Minnock, Cluster HR Manager
Tullamore native Patrick Minnock has been appointed Cluster HR Manager for both The Galmont Hotel & Spa and The Harbour Hotel Galway. Patrick began his career in food and beverage in Florida and Spain before transitioning into human resources, most recently serving as HR Executive at The Harbour Hotel Galway.
Outside of work, Patrick can often be found letting his competitive streak shine on the badminton court, playing with Oranmore Badminton Club and also on the Galway County Team.
Speaking about his new role, Patrick said:
“What really attracted me was the hotel’s strong reputation and the people behind it. It’s a great team, and I’m genuinely looking forward to getting started and playing my part.”
Commenting on the four new appointments, The Galmont Hotel & Spa General Manager Stefan Lundstrom said:
“These appointments reflect our continued investment in people and leadership at The Galmont. Each of these individuals brings exceptional experience, energy and a strong alignment with our values. As we continue to evolve and enhance our offering, their expertise will play a key role in delivering outstanding guest experiences and supporting the long-term success of the hotel.”
Celebrating 25 years at the heart of Galway’s hospitality landscape, The Galmont Hotel & Spa continues to play a central role in the local community, welcoming generations of guests while supporting regional tourism, employment and industry development.
