Hotels
John Doherty
The 17 best hotels in Ireland according to a ...

Condé Nast - On the steely shores of Lough Eske, with the Bluestack Mountains as a backdrop, this ranks right up there among Irish castles you can bed down in. Donegal has become one of Ireland’s worst-kept secrets in recent years, a wild and rugged county that quietly impresses with its knockout scenery – and slickly operated Lough Eske Castle plugs you right in.

The 17 best hotels in Ireland according to a local
People
John Doherty
Alastair Fullerton named executive chef at the ...

Alastair Fullerton has been appointed executive chef at the Titanic Hotel Belfast, which is part of the Harcourt Collection. 

He will oversee the 100-cover Wolff Grill restaurant, which takes its name from Titanic shipbuilders Harland & Wolff, who were previously headquartered at the 119-bedroom hotel. 

Fullerton has over 40 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having been educated at Belfast Met before starting work under Paul Rankin in Roscoff.

Alastair Fullerton named executive chef at the Titanic Hotel Belfast
Hotels
John Doherty
Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it ...

Food. Drink. Life - County Donegal is stepping into the international spotlight. With a steady rise in visitor numbers in recent years, Ireland’s northwestern corner is drawing global travelers in search of rugged coastlines, charming villages and open spaces far from the usual tourist trail. 

It didn’t take long for me to understand the appeal. There’s a rhythm to life up here that feels different. You’re not rushing to check sights off a list but lingering to take in the breath-taking views, pulling over because you spotted a castle ruin or a wool shop tucked into the side of the road. It’s spontaneous, a little daring and completely enchanting

Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it all in by the sea
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

Titanic movie turns 20 today, and Belfast is celebrating in style

Titanic movie turns 20 today, and Belfast is celebrating in style

Irish Independent - Ready to feel old? It's hard to believe, but on this day 20 years ago Titanic: The Movie first premiered on cinema screens in the US.

The three-hour-long blockbuster, which set the love story of passengers Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) against the backdrop of the liner's tragic maiden voyage, premiered in the US on December 19, 1997.

It went on to become the top grossing film of all time, bagging some $2 billion worldwide (another James Cameron movie, Avatar, has since surpassed that).

Harcourt welcomes UB40 to Carlisle Bay

Harcourt welcomes UB40 to Carlisle Bay

Harcourt recently hosted British reggae legends UB40 and the Virgin Holidays film crew at Carlisle Bay when they were in Antigua making a new music video for their top ten hit 'Come Back Darling' to encourage tourists to 'come back' to the Caribbean following a concerted recovery effort after the impact of Hurricane Irma.

Lough Eske Castle hotel profits surge

Lough Eske Castle hotel profits surge

Irish Independent - The five-star Lough Eske Castle hotel in Co Donegal last year recorded profits of €1.54m.

The luxury hotel, which is part of Pat Doherty's Harcourt Developments, enjoyed the profits after revenues increased to €8.56m for the year.

Harcourt Developments finance director Nick Doherty said: "2016 was a strong year for Lough Eske where overall revenues grew by 6pc. "Overall, in terms of geographical market share, we witnessed strong growth both from the Irish and US markets, which more than offset a slight decline in the UK market."

Belfast's stunning £28 million Titanic Hotel opens for business

Belfast's stunning £28 million Titanic Hotel opens for business

Daily Mail - From derelict to fully-booked! Belfast's Titanic Hotel finally opens after birthplace of tragic cruise liner is transformed with £28 MILLION make-over. Brand new hotel occupies the former Harland & Wolff headquarters, where the ill-fated liner was designed. Boasting 120 rooms over four floors, it has been billed as the world’s most authentic Titanic-themed hotel. Officially opened on Sunday, the building is adjacent to the slipways where ship was built and launched.

Inside Belfast's new £28m Titanic Hotel as it opens with a fanfare

Inside Belfast's new £28m Titanic Hotel as it opens with a fanfare

Belfast Telegraph - Belfast's newest luxury hotel has opened its doors at the site of the former Harland & Wolff drawing offices and headquarters after a two-year restoration.

The £28m Titanic Hotel, which highlights the history behind Queen's Island and the shipbuilding industry in Northern Ireland, was opened with a performance by...

Nama teams up with Doherty for 500-unit house building deal

Nama teams up with Doherty for 500-unit house building deal

Irish Independent - Housing development is one of state agency's largest joint ventures to date

Nama is teaming up with Pat Doherty's Harcourt Developments for a major house building project in south-west Dublin.

The state agency and Doherty's group have applied for planning permission for more than 500 units...

No Brexit worries as Harcourt hotels reports €60m in revenues

No Brexit worries as Harcourt hotels reports €60m in revenues

Irish Independent - The hotel arm of Pat Doherty's Harcourt Developments group last year recorded revenues of €60m and said that its experience of Brexit to date has been positive.

The Harcourt Collection comprises seven hotels and resorts spread across Ireland, the UK and the Caribbean along with Titanic Belfast and a spokesman said yesterday that it is "very pleased with the performance of the hotels".

Laois Shopping Centre Manager scoops huge industry accolade in London

Laois Shopping Centre Manager scoops huge industry accolade in London

Leinster Express - Laois Shopping Centre Manager Kevin Doyle has come runner up in the Manager of the Year at the Sceptre Awards 2017.

Mr Doyle was nominated and shortlisted for the award which he was presented with in Dorchester in London on Tuesday, June 20.

“I am thrilled, it is a great honour to be recognised I have never witnessed my parents as proud, my wife Brenda and son Brian are proud of me too,” Mr Doyle said.

The Sceptre Awards recognise best practice and the best people in the shopping centre industry.

Globoforce moving to larger headquarters in Park West

Globoforce moving to larger headquarters in Park West

Irish Times - Globoforce, an Irish software firm that operates employee reward and incentive schemes for many of the world’s leading companies, is planning to move to a larger headquarters building in Park West beside the M50 in west Dublin.

The company has been based in a 929sq m (10,000sq ft) block in the park since 2006, but is now relocating to another building almost five times that size.

Review: British Music Experience Liverpool

Review: British Music Experience Liverpool

Your Move Magazine - It’s just a matter of days before Britain’s only dedicated museum of popular music opens in Liverpool.

The British Music Experience (BME), which arrives at its new permanent home on Liverpool’s waterfront after five years at London’s O2, charts the rise of popular music from 1945 up to the present day with over 600 rare music heritage items on display.

Titanic Belfast ‘world’s leading tourist attraction’

Titanic Belfast ‘world’s leading tourist attraction’

Daily Telegraph - Titanic Belfast has been crowned the best tourist attraction in the world.

The museum, which opened in 2012, staved off competition from Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, the Las Vegas Strip and Peru's Machu Picchu to clinch the accolade at a ceremony for the World Travel Awards in the Maldives.

It's no oil painting for Freud-sitter Pat Doherty

It's no oil painting for Freud-sitter Pat Doherty

Irish Independent - I can't imagine anything more intense than getting your portrait painted. Just sat there for hours on end, eyeballing someone while they analyse every imperfection on your mug.

"It's certainly an experience," Donegal man Pat Doherty (above) said at the launch of IMMA's new Lucien Freud Collection. Pat sat for Lucien on three separate occasions. "The first painting took 100 sittings, the second was 85 sittings and the third sketch was 35 sittings," he said. "Each sitting took three hours. So it was a lot of time."

And what did he make of the final product? "Well, they're not pretty. I told Lucien I might grow into them - in 30 years' time."

New homes: A-rated with an easy commute

New homes: A-rated with an easy commute

Irish Times - Cúil Dúin is a development of 220 houses by Harcourt Developments. It is located within a five-minute walk of the Citywest stop on the Luas red line, part of the 4.6km tram-line extension to Saggart.

Emotional meeting with Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker

Emotional meeting with Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker

Belfast Telegraph - 'Mark Hamill was everything I ever imagined him to be and then some' as actor is reduced to tears during meeting with teen.

How 10 years turned the Titanic Quarter from a wasteland to a wonder

How 10 years turned the Titanic Quarter from a wasteland to a wonder

Belfast Telegraph - It's fast becoming one of the most exciting, attractive and economically powerful parts of Belfast. But when Titanic Quarter was launched a decade ago, few would have believed it had the potential to transform a neglected and desolate part of the city.

Titanic Quarter celebrates 10th anniversary as details emerge of £395m investment over next five years

Titanic Quarter celebrates 10th anniversary as details emerge of £395m investment over next five years

Belfast Live - It has become one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks - and now plans have been revealed for hundreds of millions of pounds worth of further redevelopment at Titanic Quarter.

Launched 10 years ago - with almost £360million of investment sailing in during the past decade - Titanic Quarter has breathed new life into what was a forgotten but essential part of Belfast’s history.