Dundalk native Andy Mackin looking forward to bringing iconic hotel back to life
Derryhale Hotel was once at the centre of the social fabric of Dundalk and its new owner Andy Mackin is looking forward to bringing the landmark hotel back to life, creating 40 jobs in the town.
“I’m a Dundalk man. I grew up in Coxes Demesne until I was about twelve and we then moved to Culhane Street.”
Although he left the town to join the Navy in 1985 and has been living in Cork pretty much since then he, like many others, has fond memories of the Derryhale Hotel.
"I used to go to the hotel when l was younger and the New Year’s Eve events always stuck out in my mind for the craic and the fun.”
Having always loved the building, which he is now looking forward to bringing the Victorian-era hotel back to life.
"It’s a beautiful old building with so much character and it nearly broke my heart driving past it and seeing it becoming so run down over the last 20 years.”
He says that the idea of buying the Carrick Road property and restoring it as a luxury hotel first came to him about five years ago.
CEO at Mackin Group and EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2020, Andy began making inquiries as to whether the owners of the building, which dates back to the late Victorian/early Edwardian period, would be willing to sell.
"It took five years to get it over the line and the deal was done in February 2023.
Andy says he was pleasantly surprised that the building was in “reasonably good condition” despite being vacant for so long.
"The previous owner had done some small renovation works in 2008/9 and it was mostly sound. There were a few leaks and the flat roof will have to go.”
Andy’s plan is to reopen the Derryhale as a luxury 22 bedroom boutique hotel with wellness centre while retaining its “old worldly character”.
“I’m proud to be able to give something back to the ‘town’ and to hopefully leave a legacy in my Dad’s honour and name,” he says.
He remembers his Dad James, who was chairman of the Redeemer Running Club and a staunch Dundalk FC supporter, going to an event in the hotel.
While the hotel catered for small weddings and functions, Andy wants it to be “a hotel for everybody”.
On the newly established social media pages for the hotel, speculation and excitement is rising and people from the community have been reminiscing about their experiences at the hotel – everything from First Holy Communions, to weddings and engagement parties.
“It’s been really touching to see such support and reminiscing from the local community since renovation works to the building got underway. People have been sharing their pictures and memories of their first dates, wedding and family celebrations down through generations. It’s lovely and I’m so looking forward to being able to open the doors and welcome people of the town and further afield. ”
"We’ll have a good bar and restaurant so that people can come up and enjoy a nice meal and meet up with friends.”
He is looking forward to its reopening, which he says will take place in early 2025.
“I’m the owner and also the custodian of the building which is so important to the people of Dundalk and surrounding area.”
Dating back to the early years of the 20th century, the landmark red brick building was built for John M Cox and opened as a hotel in 1963. The hotel still boasts its distinctive carved timber staircase, stained glass windows, panelled doors, architrave and ceiling cornices.
It’s refurbishment is the latest undertaken for Andy who established the Mackin Group in 2004, just before he retired from the navy in 2006 with 21 years service.
Headquartered in Cork, the Mackin Group is an international business group with offices in Dublin, London and Warwickshire, California and North Carolina, Vancouver, Zurich, Netherlands, Cape Town, Singapore and Shanghai.
It employs 250 staff worldwide and operates across several sectors including recruitment services Mackin Talent and Greybridge Search & Selection, environment health and safety consultancy Mackin EHS, and a diverse property portfolio MackinGo flexible workspaces in the US and properties in the US and Ireland.
“Derryhale and indeed the other properties in Mackin’s portfolio reflect my continued ambition and open minded perspective to business and life. I’m as passionate as ever about my business endeavours, the people we work with and the service and contribution we make,” Andy said.
A regular visitor to Dundalk, where his Mum Rosaleen still lives, he said that the Derryhale Hotel is about to write a new chapter in its history but the memories of the last chapter would also be honoured as members of the community and those with memories of the hotel are being asked to share them ahead of the hotel’s in early 2025.
Follow the progress of the reopening of the Derryhale Hotel at www.derryhale hotel.com and on its social media accounts.
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