While hotels and venues across Ireland wait to resume their business tourism trade, many are using this time to upgrade their offer and enhance the protection they can provide to guests. They are being productive, improving safety standards, refurbishing facilities and getting ready to swing open the doors to business tourism visitors again in the future. 

We take a look at some of the new meeting facilities and purpose-built outdoor spaces across the country and the hotels that have updated their premises with clever refurbishments in line with COVID-19 safety recommendations.
 

Galway

With over 50 years of experience in welcoming guests to Galway, The Connacht Hotel has taken the downturn on the chin and refurbished its public areas to provide more space for social distancing. The new layout and updates to the bar, restaurant and the recently added barista coffee bar all give The Connacht Hotel a fresh look while improving safety for everyone.

An Púcan and 1510 bars, also owned by the Connacht Hospitality Group, are getting some upgrades to reflect the new normal too. The group are also developing a four star hotel at its Galway Bay Golf Resort to provide business travellers with even more fantastic options for accommodation and facilities in the city. 

One of Galway's landmark hotels, the Meyrick on Eyre Square, has not only undergone a makeover but has also received a new name, The Hardiman. Over the past two years, work has been ongoing to strip the building back to its original state, before being carefully brought up-to-date with touches of vintage style.

Adapting to the "new normal", the Galway Bay Hotel has started offering outdoor dining. Its spacious terrace, overlooking the Prom, is being put to great use thanks to the addition of tables and chairs. 

Carton House Hotel, Kildare

Kildare

The recent takeover of this country estate hotel just outside Dublin by hotel group Accor will usher in a new era for Carton House. The renovations and restorations include improvements to the lobby and reception areas, as well as the addition of a new bar and dining options.  

When completed, Carton House will be rebranded as a five star Fairmount property, with a new style resort due to open in Spring 2021. 
 

Dublin

Living up to its billing as one of the centremost hotels of Dublin's fair city, The Central Hotel is also undergoing a makeover to increase the number of rooms available. Plans include changes to the public area layouts and a new rooftop extension too. 

Kerry 

Located in the Killarney National Park, the Aghadoe Heights Hotel offers stunning views and a warm welcome. To address the challenges of COVID-19, it gave its View Bar & Terrace a facelift at the start of the year, making it more user-friendly and safer for all.

Also in Killarney, Randles Hotel has built a covered outdoor terrace with fireplaces, allowing guests to safely social distance while taking in the views of the mountains and lakes.

A short distance down the road, The Europe Hotel has been busy upgrading and rebranding The Spa Café, transforming it into a new dining offering for guests.
 

Cork

In Cork, many hotels are adapting and upgrading their facilities to implement enhanced safety measures. Amongst those making changes so that they can continue to serve guests is the Castlemartyr Resort. Their Franchini's Italian restaurant has been adapted for social distancing, with a brand new menu and the establishment of a purpose-built dining experience called the Garden Terrace.

The Imperial Hotel has also changed its food offering by opening a new brasserie-style restaurant, Thyme at Seventy Six on the Mall.  

Meanwhile, Fota Island Resort has been taking the wellbeing of their guests very seriously by introducing a range of pandemic precautions and even providing a takeaway food store called The Pantry. They have extended the outdoor dining facilities at the Clubhouse Terrace and have moved much of its fitness activities outside.

Still in Cork, the Kingsley Hotel has set up an outdoor café and creperie, the Bean & River, overlooking the River Lee.

And the new kid on the block, The Dean Hotel in Cork, forms part of the city's Horgan's Quay development. This stylish addition to the accommodation on offer in Cork is due to open before the end of this year.

Limerick and the Shannon Region

The Limerick city centre Savoy Hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment valued at approximately €40 million, updating their bedrooms, refitting the bathrooms with marble and adding a new outside dining option.

Also in the Shannon region, the luxurious Adare Manor has continued its conservation and restoration works and are also due to open their Padel Club, an onsite destination leisure club. The new club includes two indoor tennis courts, a swimming pool and a gym amongst its facilities.

 

The Great Outdoors

Take to the water on Lough Derg, just outside Limerick, on Secret Ireland's new electric and solar-powered boat. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lake without engine noise disrupting the birds and wildlife as you glide through the water.

Offering something a little different, the Galway Summer Garden is a festival style venue allowing groups to dine, drink and catch up in large bell tents. 

While it might still be some time before business travel is back on the agenda for many, it is heartening to know that accommodation and venues across Ireland are preparing to welcome visitors again, with added protection. When the paint dries and the floors receive their final polish, these hotels, conference centres, meeting rooms and events spaces will be ready once more for you to book a MICE trip that your delegates will never forget.
 
To start planning your business tourism event in Ireland, get in touch with the Meet in Ireland team today. For expert, on-the-ground advice and local recommendations, contact the Convention Bureaux of Ireland, always ready and waiting to assist.