New manager of top local hotel looks forward to busy summer
Recently appointed general manager of the Diamond Coast Hotel, Matthew McDonagh, is excited ahead of the new season.
The recently appointed general manager of the Diamond Coast Hotel in Ennsicrone, Matthew McDonagh, has said he is really looking forward to the new tourist season in the busy seaside location.
The Ballaghaderreen native, who was previously a manager at the RDS in Dublin, has been working in the hospitality industry for two decades. He says he has fond memories of his time as a hospitality manager in the RDS, describing the job as very varied.
“It was a 43-acre site so I did everything from Bruce Springsteen concerts right through to gala dinners and two Dublin Horse Shows,” he explained.
Matthew previously worked as the general manager of The Landmark Hotel in Carrick-On-Shannon for five years, the Castle Dargan Hotel in Sligo for three years and spent two years in Westport. Indeed, his entire career has been spent in the hospitality industry.
“I started off working in bars. I ran Irish pubs in London and then I came back and I started working in hotels and I worked my way up from duty manager to general manager,” he added.
Matthew, who lives in Ballaghaderreen with his partner and two children, said the appeal of working for the Diamond Coast Hotel was a big attraction. It is part of a hotel group called the TMR Collection, which has made significant investment in the hotel, and the bedrooms, restaurant and lobby were fully refurbished in 2022.
“Enniscrone is absolutely beautiful and I have been familiar with the property for many years,” he said. “I was delighted to get a property of such high profile and of a good standing locally that was in commuting distance from home."
Matthew said he has a great team working alongside him with a busy spring and summer season ahead anticipated. They are currently preparing a new menu for the Inishaven Bar and are planning for lots of weddings, with their experienced coordinator Mary Clarke. The Diamond Coast has a well-established reputation for its weddings and is one of the largest venues in the West of Ireland.
Matthew and his team are also expecting lots of tours and golfing groups to arrive and enjoy the nearby 18-hole championship Enniscrone Golf Links course.
