Hotels
John Doherty
5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in ...

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal’s only five-star hotel, has taken a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality through a comprehensive suite of eco-conscious initiatives. Leading the way is the castle’s full transition to renewable energy, achieved through a long-term partnership with a leading green electricity provider. The historic estate is now powered entirely by clean, renewable energy marking a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Ireland’s national sustainability goals.

This move to renewable power is just one part of the castle’s broader mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul
Art
John Doherty
Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' ...

Irish Examiner - A major exhibition of Lucian Freud's work is currently on at Titanic Belfast. Marc O'Sullivan spoke to two of the key people who were involved with the German/British painter

Pat Doherty has the distinction of having sat for three portraits – two paintings and a copperplate etching – by the legendary British painter Lucian Freud. 

Several copies of the etching feature in the exhibition, Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, which has just launched at Titanic Belfast in partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' on his encounters with the great artist
Art
John Doherty
Freud exhibition with new immersive experience ...

A free exhibition celebrating the work of Lucian Freud has opened at Titanic Belfast, in collaboration with the V&A, giving visitors the chance to view over 60 of the renowned artist’s famous etchings as well as a new immersive experience created by the world-famous attraction.

Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration exhibition runs from Friday 2nd May until Tuesday 30th September in the Andrews Gallery on Level 2 of Titanic Belfast and charts Freud’s development as an etcher, from his early, tentative explorations to his later mastery of flesh and form through line.

Artwork featured in the exhibition will include Bella in Her Pluto T-Shirt (1995); Woman Sleeping (1995); Self-portrait: Reflection (1996); Pluto Aged 12 (2000) and Donegal Man (2007) – which has a special connection to Titanic Belfast as the sitter was Pat Doherty, the visitor attraction’s Chairman.

Freud exhibition with new immersive experience opens at Titanic Belfast
John Doherty
Harcourt Hotels Collection report strong start ...

The Harcourt Collection has announced a strong start to 2025, reporting group revenues up by 10% for the first quarter compared to the same period last year. The Ulster properties, Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel & Spa and Titanic Hotel Belfast, have been standout performers, recording an impressive 16% growth in total revenues year-on-year. The significant uplift was further bolstered by the €5 million investment in the Donegal Suites extension at Lough Eske Castle, launched late last year, which has helped deliver a remarkable 23% increase in revenue, against the same quarter in 2024.

Hotels
John Doherty
Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the ...

Belfast Newsletter - Well well well. There is a whole different side to Belfast that I suggest many people have been totally unaware of - to their loss. So you are familiar with city centre shopping, Belfast City Hall, The Cathedral Quarter, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, the Golden Mile, the Victoria Square and environs, Lisburn Road and the Troubles Tours in the west of the city?

But what about the Titanic Quarter as a weekend leisure designation?
Never thought of it? Me Neither.

But that all changed with a stay in the delightful Titanic Hotel.

Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the Titanic Hotel Belfast on the 'hidden' Maritime Mile

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal’s only five-star hotel, has taken a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality through a comprehensive suite of eco-conscious initiatives. Leading the way is the castle’s full transition to renewable energy, achieved through a long-term partnership with a leading green electricity provider. The historic estate is now powered entirely by clean, renewable energy marking a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Ireland’s national sustainability goals.

This move to renewable power is just one part of the castle’s broader mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' on his encounters with the great artist

Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' on his encounters with the great artist

Irish Examiner - A major exhibition of Lucian Freud's work is currently on at Titanic Belfast. Marc O'Sullivan spoke to two of the key people who were involved with the German/British painter

Pat Doherty has the distinction of having sat for three portraits – two paintings and a copperplate etching – by the legendary British painter Lucian Freud. 

Several copies of the etching feature in the exhibition, Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, which has just launched at Titanic Belfast in partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Freud exhibition with new immersive experience opens at Titanic Belfast

Freud exhibition with new immersive experience opens at Titanic Belfast

A free exhibition celebrating the work of Lucian Freud has opened at Titanic Belfast, in collaboration with the V&A, giving visitors the chance to view over 60 of the renowned artist’s famous etchings as well as a new immersive experience created by the world-famous attraction.

Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration exhibition runs from Friday 2nd May until Tuesday 30th September in the Andrews Gallery on Level 2 of Titanic Belfast and charts Freud’s development as an etcher, from his early, tentative explorations to his later mastery of flesh and form through line.

Artwork featured in the exhibition will include Bella in Her Pluto T-Shirt (1995); Woman Sleeping (1995); Self-portrait: Reflection (1996); Pluto Aged 12 (2000) and Donegal Man (2007) – which has a special connection to Titanic Belfast as the sitter was Pat Doherty, the visitor attraction’s Chairman.

Titanic Hotel Belfast takes top prize in US TV competition

Titanic Hotel Belfast takes top prize in US TV competition

The Titanic Hotel Belfast, the former headquarters of Harland & Wolff, the firm which designed RMS Titanic, has won the primetime CBS show Hotels ByDesign People’s Choice Award.
Season 3 of this internationally acclaimed hotel design television programme presented the prestigious award in recognition of the hotel’s distinctive design and sense of authenticity on a global stage.

Harcourt Hotels Collection report strong start to 2025 with double-digit revenue growth

The Harcourt Collection has announced a strong start to 2025, reporting group revenues up by 10% for the first quarter compared to the same period last year. The Ulster properties, Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel & Spa and Titanic Hotel Belfast, have been standout performers, recording an impressive 16% growth in total revenues year-on-year. The significant uplift was further bolstered by the €5 million investment in the Donegal Suites extension at Lough Eske Castle, launched late last year, which has helped deliver a remarkable 23% increase in revenue, against the same quarter in 2024.

Waterford council gives go-ahead for 350 homes in city's North Quays

Waterford council gives go-ahead for 350 homes in city's North Quays

Irish Examiner - The development also includes office accommodation, a 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre, a 163-room aparthotel, and retail units.

Waterford City and County Council has granted planning permission for 350 new homes as part of the first phase of the €200m North Quays Development.

Permission has been granted to Harcourt Developments for a major residential project, which also includes office accommodation, a 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre, a 163-room aparthotel, and retail units.

Public plazas, a riverside boardwalk and a greenway will also be constructed in what the council describes as “high-quality public realm spaces”.

Sean McKeown, chief executive of Waterford City and County Council, said granting planning permission was “ a momentous day” for Waterford and the wider region.

Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the Titanic Hotel Belfast on the 'hidden' Maritime Mile

Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the Titanic Hotel Belfast on the 'hidden' Maritime Mile

Belfast Newsletter - Well well well. There is a whole different side to Belfast that I suggest many people have been totally unaware of - to their loss. So you are familiar with city centre shopping, Belfast City Hall, The Cathedral Quarter, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, the Golden Mile, the Victoria Square and environs, Lisburn Road and the Troubles Tours in the west of the city?

But what about the Titanic Quarter as a weekend leisure designation?
Never thought of it? Me Neither.

But that all changed with a stay in the delightful Titanic Hotel.

Harcourt Reveals First Phase of €20m Hotel Portfolio Investment

Harcourt Reveals First Phase of €20m Hotel Portfolio Investment

One of Ireland’s largest privately held companies, Harcourt Developments, has unveiled the results of the first phase of a €20 million investment in its hotel portfolio - The Harcourt Collection, at County Donegal’s five-star Lough Eske Castle.

The new additions are named “The Donegal Suites” and showcase furnishings, artworks and amenities sourced and created by local craftspeople and businesses. Overseen by Harcourt Developments Creative Director, John Doherty, interior features include working with world famous local tweed weavers Magee 1866.

Angela Conner - A Life in Sculpture

Angela Conner - A Life in Sculpture

A short film about the amazing artist Angela Conner FRBS who created a series of large kinetic sculptures for Park West Business Park in Dublin including the 40m (129ft) high, 20-tonne 'Wave' - the tallest kinetic sculpture in Europe, which is powered only by the wind. Our chairman Pat Doherty was delighted to be interviewed by the filmmakers Laura Warner and Dreweatts 1759.

Titanic Belfast wins THEA Award no. 2

Titanic Belfast wins THEA Award no. 2

Hollywood, Los Angeles - the team at Titanic Belfast were delighted to accept a THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement – Visitor Experience Re-envisioned at the ‘Oscars’ of visitor attractions.

The THEA Awards, organised by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), recognise achievement, talent and personal excellence from those who bring incredible experiences to life for people around the world. This is the first time an attraction has won twice in its 30-year history.

‘It’s been a real luxury to put in the hard work to make Titanic Quarter happen’

‘It’s been a real luxury to put in the hard work to make Titanic Quarter happen’

Belfast City Council - He sums up its work as bringing “step changes” to Northern Ireland, such as the emergence of a new film and TV industry in the 2000s after Harland & Wolff’s old Paint Hall was transformed into Titanic Studios.

It's among the milestones for Titanic Quarter witnessed by James Eyre since he joined Titanic Quarter Ltd, the company behind the massive seafront development, as a surveyor in 2006.

James, who studied estate management at UIster University, was last week named its new chief executive – the first at the company since a restructuring in 2015.

Inside England's 'best large hotel' - on a stunning dockside site in Liverpool

Inside England's 'best large hotel' - on a stunning dockside site in Liverpool

The Daily Mail - It's on the site of a filming location for Captain America: The First Avenger - and it's a marvel of a place to stay.

Titanic Hotel Liverpool won the Large Hotel of the Year gong at this year's VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. And I can confirm that it was a worthy recipient, with the location's Captain America cameo adding an extra dollop of allure.

The Young Chef Young Waiter Awards

The Young Chef Young Waiter Awards

Harcourt Developments and the team at Lough Eske Castle are honoured to announce their patronage for the Young Chef Young Waiter Ireland Awards 2023. The YCYW awards have been established since 1979 and launched internationally in 2019 as a global competition open to all young professional waiters and chefs from any background. Promoting hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation, in these times of staff shortages across the sector.

This is officially the best hotel in England for 2023

This is officially the best hotel in England for 2023

Time Out - Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel wins gold at VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence.

Every year, the tourism body VisitEngland hosts its Awards for Excellence to celebrate the ‘crème de la crème’ of the country’s tourist and hospitality industry. 

Last week’s ceremony saw Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel win the gold award for large hotel of the year. It sits in a former warehouse on the city’s Stanley Docks overlooking the River Mersey.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar breaks ground on North Quays Public Infrastructure Project

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar breaks ground on North Quays Public Infrastructure Project

BAM - On a seminal day for Waterford, ground was broken on the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

Could empty offices help solve the housing crisis?

Could empty offices help solve the housing crisis?

RTE News - Living at the office used to mean working long hours but what if you could literally live in an office? Jackie McKenna is proof that the idea can work. Last year, she moved into a Dublin office block that has been converted into apartments. Her third floor flat in the Park West business park in…

Harcourt to invest €5m in expanding Lough Eske’s five-star luxury hotel

Harcourt to invest €5m in expanding Lough Eske’s five-star luxury hotel

Irish Independent - Harcourt Developments, one of Ireland’s largest property development and management companies, is to invest €5m in an expansion of its five-star Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Co Donegal.

The company, which was founded by Donegal property developer Pat Doherty and is behind the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, recently submitted a planning application to expand Lough Eske Castle by building a two-storey extension with 24 suites and four bedrooms.

Harcourt's Pat Doherty On Building A Property Empire

Harcourt's Pat Doherty On Building A Property Empire

Hospitality Ireland - Pat Doherty is something of a legend. The founder of Harcourt Developments, he left school at 14, left home in Donegal for London at the age of 19, and started working in construction. From there, he has built an empire. Along the way, he became friends with Andrew Parker Bowles and was painted by Lucian Freud. Here, he talks to Emily Hourican.

Pat Doherty’s vision celebrated at 15th anniversary of Lough Eske Castle: Picture Special

Pat Doherty’s vision celebrated at 15th anniversary of Lough Eske Castle: Picture Special

Donegal Daily - The team at Lough Eske Castle celebrated its 15th anniversary last night with a memorable event which included special guest Packie Bonner. 

With over 100 guests attending including Donegal Mayor Pauric Kennedy and Directors of Harcourt Developments, who opened the property in 2007 after €40 million investment. Prior to the event commencing, Donegal man Pat Doherty OBE planted 15 Irish Oak Trees on the estate to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the hotel first opening.