Refurbishment of Cork's Metropole Hotel unveiled by Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has officially cut the ribbon on a refurbishment of a 127-year-old Cork landmark which he described as embedded in the history of the city.

Mr Martin was speaking at an event to launch a revitalisation of the ground floor of the Metropole Hotel, as well as its two ballrooms.

The project, which took 12 months to complete, has transformed the lobby and reception area and the Merchant restaurant at the rear of the hotel.

Mr Martin said the story of the Metropole was one with which most people in the city and county of Cork were very familiar.

“In many ways, the Metropole, because of its history, is embedded in Cork.

“Its story is a story of resilience, and that is a fundamental characteristic and trait of the hotel, it’s a story of longevity, adaptability, innovation, and inclusivity,” Mr Martin said. That inclusivity, he added, manifested itself in the manner in which Aaron Mansworth and the hotel’s management team have maintained their policy of employing people who have additional needs.

“You have done it in such a natural way, your partnership with the Cope Foundation is a pleasure to behold, and we salute you, Aaron and the team here, for that particular reason,” he added.

Many famous people had stayed in the Metropole, the Taoiseach said, among them Ella Fitzgerald, Walt Disney, Gregory Peck, and Frank O’Connor, and in another historical note the Great Exhibition of 1903 had brought many Armenian people to Cork, among them a young man named Harutum Batmazian.

“He set up a sweet stall at the Great Cork Exhibition and then set up a sweet stall here, the famous Hadji Bey — or Hadji Baah, Cork kind of Cork-ised it very quickly in terms of pronunciation,” Mr Martin said, to laughter.

“I remember as a child growing up, our parents talking about the Hadji Baah’s.

“It’s also in that year that Edward VII is reputed to have had his tea on the roof of the hotel when he visited Cork for the Great Exhibition.”

Mr Martin said the Metropole Hotel had been an important part of Cork city’s history and culture for 127 years and it continued to be a crucial part of the local business community.

“It gives me great pleasure to officially unveil the newly refurbished ground floor and I wish management and all the team the very best of luck for the future,” he said.

The refurbishment works in the Metropole have resulted in a brand new entrance, lobby and Merchant restaurant where breakfast will be served daily and can be booked for private or corporate events.

Two of the historic hotel’s ballrooms, which are key features of the annual Cork Jazz Festival, have been renovated and are available for events, weddings and conferences throughout the year.

Louise McNamara, general manager of the hotel, said many of the hotel’s original features had been retained, but the redesign had created a more modern feel to welcome guests, those coming to stay, and locals coming in for food or drinks.

“We have lots of new summer packages on offer and we hope that all our customers will enjoy their time with us,” she said.

“I’d also like to thank all our team members for their work during the renovations and we look forward to an exciting time ahead for this amazing hotel.”