The date of Monday, June 29, has been etched into the minds of those working within the hospitality sector since the Roadmap to Recovery for Business and Society announcement with respective proprietors aspiring to reopen their premises and welcome customers as trade resumes.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Triona McDonald, Business Development and Marketing Manager, noted her anticipation and that of her colleagues as the hotel prepares to reopen on Monday.
“The management and staff are thoroughly looking forward to reopening the Athlone Springs Hotel doors to the public once again on Monday following our temporary closure.
“To ensure the health and safety of customers, the hotel has been tailored to meet with Government guidelines, so those who choose to dine or stay with us can be assured that their welfare is of paramount importance,” Triona remarked.
The hotel which remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate essential workers will reopen with a new General Manager at the helm.
“We welcome our new General Manager, Aidan Donohue, to the hotel. Aidan brings a wealth of experience to the role and his relevant knowledge will be most beneficial as the hotel adapts to the new normal,” Triona added.
Triona noted that all dining options will be available from Monday with Head Chef, Martin Duffy, preparing a detailed menu of a high standard synonymous with Athlone Springs Hotel.
Regular customers of the Athlone Springs will notice a major new refurbishment of the Cedar Bar and will be able to enjoy the always popular Athlone Springs Stir Fry or the signature Beef Burger as well as a wide selection of children’s meals available.
Hotel owner, Pat McDonagh, said that the hotel was opening gradually and hoped to help to bring some sense of normality to people’s lives.
“The Athlone Springs Hotel is a key part of the community and we have found that people want to return to normal as long as it safe to do so. We will provide a safe space for customers to spend time with friends and family over a meal and celebrate some of those special moments that they may have missed over the past few months.
“Our Head Chef, Martin, and his team have been working very hard to prepare to provide good quality food at a reasonable price in an environment that is warm, welcoming and safe,” Mr. McDonagh remarked.
Pat and Una McDonagh purchased the Athlone Springs Hotel in 2018 when it joined the Só Hotel family. Since then, refurbishment work has been carried out and the Zen leisure centre and newly decorated Cedar Bar and Clonellan Suite ballroom. The development of the of a new Business Centre with the latest and most up to date conference technology has been another significant investment that Pat and Una have made in the hotel.
The hotel has strong ties with the local community by supporting the Monksland Town Team and St Joseph’s soccer club. Recently, the Athlone Springs Hotel announced that it has sponsored the ladies and men’s soccer teams as well as the hurling team at the Athlone Institute of Technology.
