If the Walter Raleigh Hotel in Youghal, County Cork was looking for a knight in shining armour, it certainly found just that in Meath couple Grace and Nick Ryan.
On the lookout for a new venture, they fell for the charms of the seaside hotel last November, snapped it up, and have been flat out renovating it ever since. Closing for just three weeks in January, they renovated the lobby, kitchens, dining room, bar, and function room; the majority of the hotel’s 38 bedrooms have also undergone a smart makeover, with the remainder to be completed after the busy summer season.
Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most colourful characters of the Elizabethan period, and was mayor of the Co Cork town for two years. His namesake hotel, which originally opened its doors in 1902, has been a major part of the fabric of Youghal through the years, and its latest stylish incarnation is bound to appeal to visitors to the (sometimes ) sunny south coast.
Creative couple Grace and Nick have packed a lot into a short time. Guests will feel welcome as soon as they enter the bright, airy lobby of the newly revived hotel, with lovely little touches such as fresh flowers on all the lobby tables. The friendly reception team - and often Grace or Nick themselves - are ready to greet their guests with a wealth of local knowledge.
The newly renovated bedrooms are fresh, clean, and very comfortable, with crisp white walls complemented by soothing browns and greens. The icing on the cake is that the majority of the bedrooms have a sea view. By the end of the summer Grace and Nick are planning to have 70 per cent of the bedrooms renovated - though we were shown a couple of the older bedrooms which are far from shabby.
Situated right on the seafront with stunning views out over the Atlantic Ocean, it is the ultimate seaside hotel for anything from a romantic break to a family holiday. As we visited before the recent spell of good weather, on a particularly blustery weekend, we had to make do with watching the waves crashing over the promenade wall from the comfort of our room - or indeed the cosy hotel bar, the Atlantic Lounge.
On Saturday evening we dined in the Atlantic Lounge, a traditional, character-filled bar with a lovely relaxed atmosphere and busy with locals ready to offer tips on things to see and do in the area. The menu expertly crafted by head chef James Hallinan features seasonal dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers such as Déise honey, the award-winning Fermoy Natural Cheese Company, and Olive and John Hallahan’s Castlemary Goats Cheese. The hotel’s first floor restaurant, due to open in the coming weeks, was in the process of a makeover, but Grace and Nick showed us the space and excitedly outlined their plans for the restaurant which will open out onto a terrace overlooking the ocean.
Youghal is a bustling seaside town, with miles of Blue Flag sandy beaches, spectacular Atlantic views, sea angling, and plenty to keep visitors occupied. I also recommend the nearby Ardmore Cliff Walk, though not on a windy day!
For bookings and enquiries, contact the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal, County Cork at (024 ) 92011, email [email protected], or see www.walterraleighhotel.com
