The International Gourmet Weekend

 A Wonderful Evening for the 130 Year Celebrationary Gourmet Weekend

We had a feast fit for many kings produced by Executive Chef Mr. Tim O'Sullivan and his talented team for the weekend celebrations.

Amazing food together with delicious accompanying wines which were very kindly sponsored by J&C Kenny Wine Distributors for all the dining guests to enjoy.  These were carefully matched by Roz Crowley, food writer and journalist who also undertook the role of Master of Ceremonies for the night, giving a succinct insight into the reasons why each wine was chosen for each course.

After enjoying a prosecco reception all guests who travelled near and far to be with us, were seated in the dining room where the banquet commenced.

From beginning to end, the meal was waonderful with so many gentle flavours masterfully put together to put together a beautiful seven course meal.

The Pop-up Indoor Market at Renvyle House

A few months ago, when we were planning the festivities for the 130 years of Renvyle House as a hotel,

Lorna suggested it might be a nice idea to have an indoor market shocasing our local suppliers and producers.  And there the seed was planted.

With a little planning and much preparation this came to fruition last weeked for the International Gourmet Weekend which was held to celebrate the 130 years of the hotel.  The bunting was made and set up (with two great little helpers - great grand sons of Dr. Donny Coyle who bought the hotel in 1953).  

We had great support from Roberts family from Connemara Smokehouse who showcased their organic smoked salmon, we had the Benedictine Nuns from Kylmemore Abbey with their chocolate (and a sideline of soaps).  Also present was Connemara Rowan Jelly which is produced by Brigid Sealy locally and an array of seaweed products for use in the kitchen by Connemara Food Ventures.  Tim O'Sullivan had made a delicious bread with three types of seaweed, which would be delicious with cold meats or indeed smoked salmon.  Tim also made a seaweed mayonnaise and a seaweed dressing, both of them delicious.  These could be sampled at the Connemara Food Ventures and Renvyle Foods stands.  J&C Kenny Wines also had a stand and were the kind sponsors of the wines provided at the banquet later on Saturday night.

Taking Home the Gold at the IASI Awards

Tweet

RENVYLE HOUSE HOTEL & RESORT TAKES HOME A GOLD AT THE IASI AWARDS

Renvyle House Hotel & Resort won the Gold Award at the Irish Accommodation Services Institute Awards (IASI) which were held in Co. Clare earlier this year.  This award is in acknowledgement of the excellent standards achieved in accommodation; quality, hygiene and cleanliness of of the hotel in the three star category.

Ronnie Counihan, the Chief Executive of Renvyle House said  he is "very proud of Roisin Coyne and her team and delighted their hard work as been recognised on a national platform".  Roisin Coyne joined Renvyle House Hotel early in 2012 as Accommodation Manager.   Roisin previously held a position in reservations for a time with Renvyle House.

The Irish Accommodation Services Institute, which was founded in 1985, was formed as a forum to promote standards and share experiences within the Hospitality Industry.  It is active in promoting best practice standards for accommodation providers as well as a forum for professionals to network within.

Research Findings

We have been continuing our research into reviews of Renvyle House Hotel for its 130 year celebrations.  Sommerville and Ross in their book "Through Connemara in a Governess Cart" 1893 have a lovely review of Renvyle House and courtesy of the the Bankcroft Library at the  Univeristy of California, Berkeley we are able to read the book online.  Renvyle House comes into their story from page 134.

Edith Sommerville, a novelist and her cousin and collaborater (Violet) Martin Ross between them published a series of fourteen stories and novels, the most popular of which were "The Real Charlotte", and "The Experiences of an Irish R. M." published in 1899.

Louise Culmer, reviews "Through Connemara in a Governess Cart" as follows
"Edith Somerville and Martin Ross's lively account of their journey through Connemara in the late 19th century. The book contains many vivid descriptions of the places they visit and the people they encounter, and there are some very humorous incidents. Somerville and Ross were well educated, upper class ladies, and their descriptions of the lower class characters they encounter are perhaps a touch condescending now and again, but at that date this is probably to be expected, and they are always good humoured."

Tweet

CULINARY HAVEN OF THE YEAR

An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny presenting Mr. Ronnie Counihan (General Manager Renvyle House Hotel & Resort) and Mr. Tim O'Sullivan (Executive Chef Renvyle House Hotel & Resort) with the award of 'Culinary Haven of the Year' along with  Mrs. Margaret Jeffares (Managing Director Good Food Ireland) and Mr. Pat Connors (Managing Director Marine Harvest) at the Good Food Ireland Awards in Dublin on Tuesday 20th November.

            Renvyle House Hotel & Resort in Connemara was recently awarded the accolade of  'Culinary Haven of the Year' by Good Food Ireland.  The award ceremony was attended by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny who presented the award to Mr. Ronnie Counihan and Mr. Tim O'Sullivan of Renvyle House.  The Taoiseach said the food sector was critical to the economy and the key role that locally produced and artisan foods would play in the economic recovery.

            Renvyle House is an historic country house hotel and resort and is situated on nearly 200 acres on the shores of the Atlantic in Connemara.  The grounds comprise of a 9 hole golf course, a private lake for fishing, a beach and many other amenities on the hotel ground.  It was first opened as a hotel in 1883 and will be celebrating 130 years in operation next year.  It is an independent hotel and will also be celebrating six decades of ownership within the Coyle family next year.  It has a long established name for really good Irish hospitality and great food.

Connemara and the Neighbouring Spots of Beauty and Interest

This is a lovely publication by J. Harris Stone who claims to "like exceedingly the country I write about, and also its inhabitants..... The West of Ireland, as I experienced myself at first, is rather a puzzling part of Ireland to find one's way about in, so I have introduced one or two sketch maps, which, if consulted, will, I think, make the way plain"  - Some might say it can be difficult to navigate today also!

You can download a PDF version of the Chapter about Renvyle by clicking >>HERE

"Connemara and the Neighbouring Spots of Beauty and Interest" by J. Harris Stone, Health Resort Publishing Company Limited, London, 1906 (first edition copy)

(scanning quality is not the best, apologies.  But it can be viewed quite well if you enlarge it close to 200%)

1969 Brochure

Tweet

This brochure, now 43 years old, has some photographs of people you may recognise.  If so, please let us know who they may be as we're most interested.  The Tariff Sheet is in pounds, shillings and pence and it when the hotel had bathrooms that perpahs two bedrooms may have shared with an extra charge for a 'private bath'.

To view or download the PDF version please Click >> HERE

Murray’s Handbook Ireland

A beautiful guide from 1906 in the Hotel's private collection which features wonderful information of the island of Ireland.  With beautifully illustrated maps of the various regions and maps of the cities and larger towns.

Renvyle House features in this guide and reference to our golf course is also mentioned in it, they also comment upon the "perfectly shaped pebbles" on the beach.  "Mrs. Blake with spirited enterprise opened the house as a hotel in 1883.  The spot is singularly attractive.  In addition to being close to the finest scenery in Connemara, it has good bathing, sea and trout fishing.........Golf Links have also recently been laid out"

You can view the review by clicking >> HERE

Murray's Handbook For Travellers in Ireland
London, Edward Stanford, 1906

Black’s Guide to Ireland 1912

Renvyle House features in Black's Guide to Ireland in 1912 and it gives a lovely description of what the house was like back then.  The review commences with " Mrs. Blake's Hotel, Renvyle House (£3 per week), is most homely and comfortable, beside being unique; for its walls, wthin, retain their antique elm and oak wainscotting, and it lies as snuggly embowered as some old English 'grange'".

You can view the review by clicking >> HERE

Black's Guide to Ireland
Twenty Fifth Edition
Publisher, Adam and Charles Black, London, 1912

1970’s Brochure

A recent guest brought with her a brochure of Renvyle House Hotel from the 1970's, at least we think it is from then trying to gauge from the telephone numbers; Renvyle 3 or 18 and the fact that we also had a Telex machine (very switz-swoo back then)

The breakfasts are a more leisurely affair nowadays, being served until 11:00am.  Back then they finished at 9.45am, a very precise time!  But the rest of the brochure would reflect that it was as relaxing a holiday as it is today.

You can view the brochure by clicking >>HERE