The Glasshouse Hotel is one of Ireland’s finest 4-star hotels and has the awards to prove it.
Through cutting-edge design and architecture, The Glasshouse is setting new standards in contemporary, stylish accommodation. The newly-refurbished 4-star hotel in the centre of Sligo overlooks the Garavogue River and boasts 116 spacious bedrooms. Upgrade your experience to a superior room and enjoy stunning river views, some feature a balcony. The Junior Suites have floor to ceiling windows at the front of the hotel, while deluxe suites have their own terrace with panoramic views of Sligo.
Independently owned, The Glasshouse has won many prestigious accolades down through the years, in the past month there was success in winning three awards at the YESChef Awards Night. The hotel was delighted to bring home; Front House Manager in Connacht, Hotel Restaurant of the Year in Connacht and also Pastry Chef of the year. In the later part of 2024 there was success at the Irish Hotel Awards and the 2025 Irish Accommodation Services Institute (IASI) Awards
It was one of the big winners at the Irish Hotel Awards, which celebrate the best and brightest in the industry, scooping three awards for Housekeeper of the Year (Overall) – Rose Cawley, Rising Star of the Year (Highly Commended) – Kisha McKenna and Social Media Award (Highly Commended).
More recently, The Glasshouse won Gold at the Irish Accommodation Services Institute (IASI) Awards in Killarney, specifically for its accommodation team’s excellence in bedrooms, front of house and general public areas. The Gold award, which The Glasshouse also won in 2023 and ‘24, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Accommodation Manager Rose Cawley, Accommodation Assistant Manager Martina Haran and the entire housekeeping team at The Glasshouse.
“We’re absolutely delighted with our recent award successes which recognise the hard work, dedication and passion of our entire team. Our aim at all times is to provide an unrivalled guest experience,” The Glasshouse General Manager Carmel Murphy enthuses.
“The big one at the Irish Hotel Awards was Housekeeper of the Year for Rose Cawley. Rose has been a breath of fresh air since she joined us in 2012. She’s well-known in local sporting circles through her involvement with Coolera-Strandhill GAA club and as a LGFA referee.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Rose, her assistant Martina Haran, their supervisors and the whole accommodation team. To also win Gold at the IASI Awards for the third year-in-a-row underscores the team’s commitment to achieving the highest standards.”
Carmel adds: “We were also thrilled for Kisha McKenna on her Rising Star of the Year (Highly Commended) Award. Kisha is another local lady who has worked in our food and beverage department since 2019. Her warm and bubbly personality is infectious. And not forgetting our Sales Manager Vanessa O’Donovan and her role in us being Highly Commended in the Social Media Award category.
“We have many great people besides those I’ve mentioned in our 130-strong team who make The Glasshouse one of the best hotels around. Our chefs, for example, have had success at national and international Culinary Competitions, winning 11 medals at Chef Ireland at the most recent Catex event in February this year. We consider ourselves very lucky to have such an amazing team who go to great lengths to ensure our guests have a relaxing and unforgettable stay.”
Located on the site of the old Silver Swan Hotel, The Glasshouse is a striking building with its towering presence over the Garavogue River and offers guests a haven of contemporary interiors, the distinct architecture reminiscent of a ship in dock sets a striking silhouette against the Sligo skyline.
O’Connell Street, the main street in Sligo, and the WB Yeats Memorial Building, are both on the doorstep of the hotel. Sligo Train Station and The Hawks Well Theatre are also in very close proximity.
“Our location in the centre of Sligo and our friendly staff are two of our main selling points,” Carmel explains.
“The hotel has a diverse customer-base with visitors travelling from Northern Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and the USA to mention just a few. Midweek, we have a strong domestic corporate market with our weekend business more leisure-orientated.
“There is so much to choose from when visiting Sligo from our world – renowned links golf courses – Enniscrone, Rosses Point and Strandhill – to our location on the Surf Coast of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. There is a lot to see and do in Sligo, which is something of a hidden gem.”
As Sligo’s culinary beacon, The Glasshouse is committed to delivering an exceptional dining journey, Under the careful stewardship of chef Alan Fitzmaurice, The Kitchen Restaurant has introduced a unique dining experience to Sligo. Alan combines ethically-sourced local ingredients and combines them in traditional recipes while adding a little contemporary twist, like the hotel itself, the food offering is quirky.
Breakfast at The Kitchen Restaurant offers an extensive buffet spread, including a variety of Danish pastries, fruits and the classic Full Irish buffet breakfast.
The ground floor Café Bar is a lively spot, with food served from 12 noon daily. There is a boardwalk area overlooking the river for al fresco dining.
The Café Bar is perfect for lunch, as an alternative to The Kitchen Restaurant for dinner or for a casual drink. Watch the world go by on the bridge outside and get to know downtown Sligo from within.
Located on the first floor, The View Bar is the perfect spot for enjoying a sophisticated cocktail or a glass of fine wine. With an in-house DJ set every weekend, The View Bar promises lively evenings in a stylish setting. This is also the ideal venue for birthday parties, family gatherings and get-togethers.
The Glasshouse also caters for conferences and meetings. Conveniently located on the ground floor with easy access for delegates, The Swan Suite offers a flexible space to suit your needs. It ensures seamless integration of interactive presentations and collaborative sessions, enhancing
the overall experience for your attendees.
A planned extension will increase the number of bedrooms by 53 to 169. Since 2022, all 116 existing bedrooms have been refurbished to a high standard, as have The View Bar and The Café Bar.
“The next phase involves renovating The Kitchen Restaurant, lobby and function room. After that, work will commence on the extension on a site adjacent to the hotel.
“The extension will consist of 53 bedrooms, for which planning permission has already been secured. All going well, it will be ready for use in 2027,” Carmel concludes.
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Summer 2025, Vol 1 No 1
