Gleneagle Group owner Margaret O’Donoghue latest to receive top Killarney award
Margaret O'Donoghue, of the Gleneagle Hotel Group, will be honoured by the Order of Inisfallen for her contribution she and her family have made to tourism in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
A woman said to be "at the forefront of the tourism industry" throughout her life is to be inducted into the Order of Inisfallen – the highest honour bestowed by Killarney town.
Margaret O’Donoghue of the Gleneagle Group will be honoured at a reception in the Muckross House, joining a list of previous recipients who have been recognised by Cairde Chill Áirne.
Margaret was one of 10 children born to Hannah and John O’Sullivan in Shanara, Beaufort. She attended school in Kilgobnet and Killorglin Community College before beginning her working life in Killarney’s Great Southern Hotel.
She first met Maurice O’Donoghue, who was then studying to become a pharmacist in Dublin, at a dance in Tralee in 1961 and they were married in 1964.
Maurice’s parents, Sheila and Paddy O’Donoghue purchased Flesk House – a Georgian House sitting on four acres – and in 1957, they opened it as The Gleneagle Hotel.
With just 12 bedrooms at the time, together, Margaret and Maurice set about developing The Gleneagle into an all-inclusive holiday destination.
The O’Donoghue family went on to develop the Gleneagle INEC Arena as well as the Brehon Hotel, the Killarney town centre Scott’s Hotel, The Maritime Hotel in Bantry and several other tourism properties.
The Gleneagle Group is now operated by the third generation of the O’Donoghue family, under the direction of Margaret and Maurice’s eldest son Patrick, who is the chief executive officer of the Gleneagle Group.
The Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District Council, Cllr Brendan Cronin, described Margaret O’Donoghue as "the guiding hand in all that the family has achieved and, given her enormous contribution over so many years, it is wonderful that she is being officially recognised with this very important award."
Ms O’Donoghue said it is an honour to accept the Order of Innisfallen on behalf of both herself and Maurice, who passed away in 2001.
“The Gleneagle wouldn’t be the success it is today without the support of the incredible staff that have worked with us down through the years, the many regular guests, families and friends who have always supported us and my own family who have taken over the reins,” she said.
The Cairde Chill Áirne Order of Inisfallen awards scheme is a joint initiative between Kerry County Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.
It was established in 2005 to recognise outstanding contributions by people to the economic development of the town and its tourism industry. Those selected for the honour are invested as Members of the Order of Inisfallen.
Previous recipients include former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, actor Michael Fassbender, Charles, the King of England, entertainer Daniel O’Donnell, industrialist Isolde Liebherr and businessmen Donal Ring and Micheál O’Donoghue.
The Order of Inisfallen award will be presented by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Brendan Cronin, at Muckross House on December 11th and, later that evening, Margaret O’Donoghue will be the guest of honour at the Kerry branch of the Irish Hotels Federation’s Christmas Ball which will be held in The Gleneagle Hotel.
