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

Developer behind Belfast's Titanic Quarter confirmed for €550m Waterford regeneration project

Developer behind Belfast's Titanic Quarter confirmed for €550m Waterford regeneration project

The Journal - The developer behind the regeneration of the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast has been unveiled as the new private partner for a €550 million project in Waterford city.

Harcourt Developments is to take on the long-awaited regeneration project of the city’s North Quays, which earlier today received fresh backing from the Government following the approval of €170 million in funding.

It was described as the “largest urban regeneration project in the country” by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien following the signing off on fresh funding by the Cabinet.

'I'm over the moon' - residents move into converted office block

'I'm over the moon' - residents move into converted office block

RTE News - A former office block which was vacant for 20 years has been converted into residential homes as part of a €26 million redevelopment project. The development at the Park West Business Park in Cherry Orchard in Dublin will become home to 200 people who had been on the social housing waiting list. Around 9,000sq.m of office space spread over two blocks have been converted into 86 apartments.

Lisa O’Connor appointed as Group Director of Sales and Marketing at the Harcourt Group

Lisa O’Connor appointed as Group Director of Sales and Marketing at the Harcourt Group

The board of Harcourt Developments is delighted to announce the promotion of Lisa O’Connor as Group Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hotel Collection. Harcourt Developments is one of Ireland’s largest privately owned property companies with over 1500 employees and properties across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, and Antigua.

Inishowen Peninsula is a staycation paradise

Inishowen Peninsula is a staycation paradise

Sunday Independent - ‘Do bears really love marmalade sandwiches?” Judging by her smile, this isn’t the first time our guide, Fiona, has heard this question.

Today it’s asked by my 10-year-old son as we stand in a forest in Donegal watching two enormous brown bears wrestle in the grass beyond. It’s a hot day so the exertions don’t last long. Rionach, the smaller bear, climbs a log to sunbathe while her brother Donnacha takes to the lake to retrieve some floating fruit treats.

Northern Ireland's leading hotel celebrates fifth birthday

Northern Ireland's leading hotel celebrates fifth birthday

Titanic Hotel Belfast is celebrating its fifth birthday this month with a quarter of the hotel’s original staff. Named Northern Ireland’s leading hotel at the World Travel Awards every year since opening its doors in 2017, the longest serving staff member Adrian McNally said he was proud of what the hotel has achieved. Adrian, the General Manager, said…

118 Cost Rental homes launched in South Dublin

118 Cost Rental homes launched in South Dublin

Dublin People - The Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien T.D. launched 118 cost rental homes in South County Dublin today.

The 118 homes consist of 44 one and two-bed apartments at Parklands, Citywest and 74 one and two-bed apartments at Kilcarbery Grange, Clondalkin.

Minister O’Brien first visited the Parklands development in Citywest where 44 homes have been delivered by Harcourt Developments.

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Cost-rental homes: ‘This makes us really, really happy. We feel secure’

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Cost-rental homes: ‘This makes us really, really happy. We feel secure’

Irish Times - Security of tenure and more affordable prices allow families to look to their future with greater confidence

With a three-year-old daughter in a small flat, and a landlord about to sell the building, Bernardo Mba Mabaha and his partner Teresa Ebang really needed to find somewhere new to live.

“We had been looking since last November, but it had not been going well,”

Redcastle Hotel and Spa to unveil 90 refurbished rooms in June

Redcastle Hotel and Spa to unveil 90 refurbished rooms in June

Derry Journal - The Redcastle Oceanfront Golf & Spa Hotel, Inishowen is set to unveil the results of a complete refurbishment of 90 of their bedrooms in June 2022 representing a renewal of the entire bedroom stock.

With over half a million euro already spent and further investment due later in the year this represents a major project for the hotel. It is also a very bold and positive step forward for a hospitality business following the last two years that the industry has endured.

Titanic: Rare life jacket goes on display 110 years after sinking of world’s most famous ship

Titanic: Rare life jacket goes on display 110 years after sinking of world’s most famous ship

Belfast Live - One of only six life jackets remaining from the Titanic has gone on display to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the world’s most famous ship.

This is the first time the life jacket has been on public display on the island of Ireland and it is free for the public to view in the Grand Atrium of Titanic Belfast until Sunday 24th April.

Harcourt Chairman Patrick Doherty awarded honorary doctorate

Harcourt Chairman Patrick Doherty awarded honorary doctorate

Ulster University has bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Harcourt chairman Pat Doherty OBE in recognition of his “outstanding commitment to the economic and cultural development of the whole of Ireland”.

At a formal investiture ceremony in Saint Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast ten individuals comprising journalists, playwrights, leaders, and humanitarians received honorary doctorates by the internationally renowned artist Dr Colin Davidson.

Titanic Belfast generates £430 million for local economy

Titanic Belfast generates £430 million for local economy

A new report has revealed that Titanic Belfast has generated an estimated £430 million in direct spend for the Northern Ireland economy since it opened its doors 10 years ago today.

The report, carried out by Deloitte Northern Ireland, also revealed that in its eight to tenth years of operation, the combined economic impact of Titanic Belfast has been £79 million, highlighting the vital role the iconic building continues to play a decade on.

Double Award Celebrations for Titanic Hotel Belfast & Liverpool

Double Award Celebrations for Titanic Hotel Belfast & Liverpool

Titanic Hotels are jointly celebrating winning two prestigious awards in the past 6 months, with Titanic Hotel Belfast having been awarded the most sought-after title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards 2021, and its sister hotel, Titanic Hotel Liverpool, having been awarded ‘Hotel of the Year’ at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.

Special photographic exhibition to mark 10th anniversary of Titanic Belfast

Special photographic exhibition to mark 10th anniversary of Titanic Belfast

Irish News - A special photographic exhibition has been launched to mark the 10th birthday of Titanic Belfast.

The People Who Built Titanic Belfast includes 123 photographs and illustrations which tell the story of Titanic Belfast from its inception and design to the structure being fitted and built.

The free exhibition, which will be on display daily in The Andrews Gallery at the venue, includes pictures of the people who created it including architect, the late Eric Kuhne, who can be seen sketching and hand-drawing ideas for the design.

Lough Eske Castle named Best Luxury Hotel in Ireland by The Times

Lough Eske Castle named Best Luxury Hotel in Ireland by The Times

The Times - Ireland is as renowned for the warmth of its hospitality as for the beauty of its landscapes, and its five-star hotels deliver magnificently on both counts. Many are privately owned, and run by loyal staff who are as fiercely proud of their hotel’s history and setting as they are delighted to share their knowledge with guests — preferably over a whiskey by a roaring fire. And well they might be proud, for the houses of Ireland are fabulous, and their settings world-class, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way

MBE for Judith Owens Titanic Belfast CEO

MBE for Judith Owens Titanic Belfast CEO

We are delighted that Titanic Belfast Chief Executive Judith Owens has received an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours for services to Tourism.

Judith was named Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast in December 2017, following on from her time as Director of Operations and Deputy CEO since opening in 2012.

An immersive staycation at the Titanic Hotel and Museum

An immersive staycation at the Titanic Hotel and Museum

RTE - It can be easy to forget that we live on the same island that once produced the largest moving object ever made by man, that generations of Harland & Wolff workers forged Belfast's reputation as the engineering capital of the world, and that its most famous ship – the Titanic – would go on to inspire the first film to break the billion-dollar mark at the box office.

So it's fitting that the Titanic Hotel and visitor attraction in Belfast was a world-leading tourist destination before they opened their doors, in 2017 and 2012 respectively.

Fourth travel award for Titanic Hotel Belfast

Fourth travel award for Titanic Hotel Belfast

Love Belfast - For the fourth consecutive year, since opening in 2017, Titanic Hotel Belfast has been awarded the most sought-after title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards 2021.

Renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global travel industry, the World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence and are recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Adrian McNally, General Manager, Titanic Hotel Belfast, said: “This World Travel Award is for the people of Northern Ireland who still believe in us and who have voted for us to win the title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ for the fourth year in a row.

Belfast: The troubled city filmmakers love

Belfast: The troubled city filmmakers love

BBC - As Kenneth Branagh's film Belfast opens, Beverley D'Silva explores how cinema has captured the unique essence of Northern Ireland's capital – in all its light and shade.

Northern Ireland – and its capital Belfast – has long provided filmmakers with rich material. Shining a light on the region's political history are many powerful films about the Troubles – the sectarian conflict between mostly Protestant unionists (loyalists) who wished to remain part of the UK, and mostly Roman Catholic nationalists (republicans) who wanted Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic of Ireland.

Lough Eske Castle crowned No.2 Top Hotel in Ireland

Lough Eske Castle crowned No.2 Top Hotel in Ireland

Lough Eske Castle, outside Donegal Town, has been recognized as No. 2 in the Top Hotels in Ireland category of the Condé Nast Traveller annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.”

Dónal Cox, General Manager of Lough Eske Castle commented: “It’s a great honour to be recognised as one of the top ten hotels in Ireland by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine for the fourth year running.”

Major house building project reaches 400th completion

Major house building project reaches 400th completion

Harcourt’s 1250 home building project in southwest Dublin reaches milestone 400th completion.

The last remaining houses in the first phase of the Parklands project at Citywest have gone on sale through Hooke & MacDonald. Four hundred new starter homes have now been completed in a prime location by the Luas Saggart stop in a development which will eventually see the construction of over 1250 new starter homes.