Mayo native blazes a trail at renowned Belfry Hotel

A native of Doocastle is spearheading the commercial strategy at one of the world’s leading hotel’s and resorts.

Katie Niland, daughter of Padraig and Ellen Niland from Doocastle, is the commercial director of the Belfry in the United Kingdom, a golf resort widely regarded as the spiritual home of the Ryder Cup which comes to Adare Manor in Limerick in 2027.

After finishing her studies at Banada Abbey Secondary School, Katie moved to England in 1989, aged just 18 years old. She initially planned to spend the summer in England, but after flying over on a Monday evening, she got a job on Tuesday morning and began work that afternoon.

She carved a path through the hospitality sector, working with globally recognised names such as Hilton, Marriott International and Malmaison, gaining experience and a commercial instinct. She joined the Belfry 12 years ago as sales director and stepped into the commercial director’s role.

The Mayo native recently featured in Hotel Magazine, the leading monthly publication for hoteliers, which she described as a very proud moment. The feature focuses on her leadership style and passion for gender equality in hospitality management and highlights her role in the £90 million pound expansion of the Belfry, including 149 additional bedrooms, a new leisure club and the Masters Suite.

In its closing line, Hotel Magazine said with leaders like Katie Niland at the helm, the future looks commercially sharp and confidently ambitious.

Doocastle remains on Katie’s mind and she gets home a lot to visit her family. It is not so far away - The Belfry is just 15 minutes from Birmingham Airport and Ireland West Airport is the same distance from Doocastle. It is important for Katie to keep her west of Ireland links alive.

“I’m one of six kids, and my parents have 14 grandkids and three step grandkids, so I’m always going back whether it’s for a family occasion, or just to spend time with mum and dad,” she told the Western People.

“It is very important to me that my twin daughters, who are 21 now, spend as much time with their Irish cousins and grandparents. They feel a very strong connection to home.”