The Clanree Hotel was one of the big winners at the 2025 Irish Hotel Awards which were presented at a gala event in The Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co. Meath on October 20 last.
No stranger to winning prestigious accolades, the four-star Letterkenny hotel scooped four awards, namely ‘Event Manager of the Year (Ulster)’ for assistant general manager Antoinette Coyle, ‘Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year (Ulster)’, ‘Business Hotel of the Year (Ulster)’ and ‘Four Star Hotel of the Year (Ulster)’.
The evening marked a powerful tribute to Ireland’s most inspiring hospitality professionals who elevate guest experiences with quiet brilliance and unwavering dedication. This year’s awards ceremony honoured a diverse spectrum of contributors, from visionary general managers and culinary innovators to devoted housekeeping teams and front-of-house stars.
Irish Hotel Awards managing director Shane Smith commented: “These awards are a reminder that excellence is often found in the details and the gestures. It’s a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate the spirit of Irish hospitality, its craft, its true warmth and, most of all, its people.”
The Clanree Hotel’s four awards are well-deserved recognition for its hard-working team. The premier destination in the North-West for hospitality, weddings, conferences and leisure, the Fáilte Ireland-accredited hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring Donegal and is conveniently located only a few minutes’ drive from the bustling town centre of Letterkenny, and within a short drive of stunning coastal drives, beaches and signature discovery points of the famous Wild Atlantic Way. It is often praised for its warm hospitality and friendly staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
“We’re over the moon to win these awards which are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our amazing staff,” Antoinette Coyle enthuses.
“We’re incredibly proud of them and the lengths they go to, to ensure our guests have a positive experience. We’re very hands-on and make a point of talking to our guests and getting their feedback, which is what hospitality is all about. I can’t speak highly enough of all our teams. It’s a real team effort.
“On a personal note, winning the award for Event Manager of the Year was a lovely surprise to get. Once again, it wouldn’t have happened without the people around me, including our general manager Micheál Naughton, and the rest of the management, who have been a tremendous support to me in my 15 years working here. Micheál is well-known in ladies football circles as a former LGFA president, and we were delighted to host their national congress last March as well as Donegal GAA fundraising events in the lead-up to the All-Ireland football final in July.
“I’m very passionate about weddings and events. My goal is to elevate every celebration and to ensure the lines of communication are always open. We received the awards following an independent and in-depth inspection of our hotel. As part of this, two mystery shoppers stayed with us as a couple and enquired about our wedding packages. They didn’t reveal themselves until they checked out!”
Owned by the McGettigan Group, an Irish-owned company with luxury properties in eight locations throughout the country, the Clanree Hotel boasts 120 beautifully designed en-suite rooms, each of which are furnished with all modern comforts. Every room has a great selection of TV channels and tea and coffee-making facilities. The executive rooms offer additional facilities such as complimentary fluffy bathrobes, trouser press facilities and additional toiletries.
The facilities at the Clanree Hotel include event spaces suitable for weddings, conferences and other special occasions. The hotel’s restaurant and bar offer a diverse menu, showcasing both local and international cuisine. Guests often appreciate the attention to detail in the hotel’s amenities such as leisure facilities with a 22-metre swimming pool, children’s pool, steam room & Jacuzzi, and fitness suite. The Serene Beauty rooms offer spa facilities such as indulging relaxing facials, hot stone back massages and beauty treatments.
The Aileach Restaurant and newly-renovated MacGrianna Dining Room offer award-winning food and are popular with locals and guests alike, serving both an à la carte menu of international favourites and a traditional Sunday Irish Carvery. McGettigan’s Bar at the Clanree Hotel offers an extensive Bar Food and Beverages Menu, coupled with excellent service and entertainment each weekend, and live sports on its big screens.
Visitors can’t fail to be impressed by the Clanree Hotel’s grand interior and wide range of facilities. It includes a diverse selection of meeting and banqueting rooms suitable for a wide variety of special occasions and events such as weddings, concerts, exhibitions and banquet dinners, and can cater for up to 800 guests.
The Clanree Hotel is your ideal dream wedding venue. Firstly, the venue is meticulously designed to create a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. The hotel provides the perfect backdrop with some stunning bridal photo opportunities – the sweeping ‘Gone with the Wind’-style staircase affords the most breathtaking memories. Outside, there is an original stone arch bridge surrounded by native flora, a quaint relic of the Donegal Railway which has been lovingly restored by local craftsmen, while a Victorian-style Gazebo and garden walkway also creates perfect photographic memories.
Secondly, the Clanree Hotel’s commitment to exceptional customer service sets it apart. Antoinette and her team understand that a wedding day is one of the most important and cherished events in a couple’s life, and they strive to exceed expectations in every aspect. As Donegal’s premier wedding venue, they pride themselves in offering their guests personal attention and work closely with each couple to ensure that their every need is met.
Their ‘one wedding a day’ policy will ensure every request is attended to and standards are kept high. The wedding team works closely with couples to customise every detail, ensuring that their vision for the perfect wedding becomes a reality. They take pride in creating a stress-free and seamless experience for both the couple and their guests. With three wedding coordinators on the wedding team, there is always someone at hand to answer any queries couples may have and to ensure everything runs like clockwork on the big day.
Additionally, the Clanree Hotel’s culinary offerings are second to none. The hotel takes great care in curating a diverse and exquisite menu that caters to various tastes and preferences. Its talented chefs use high-quality and local produce, with fresh ingredients to craft delicious and visually stunning dishes that leave a lasting impression on guests. The banqueting menus can be tailored to each couples’ preference and budget.
The Clanree Hotel also leads the way when it comes to events and conferencing. The Conference Centre is renowned for flexibility and versatility, and, with a capacity for up to 1,000 delegates, has played host to some of Ireland’s largest national and international conferences and exhibitions over the past 25 years.
Comprising a diverse selection of meeting, conference, exhibition and banqueting rooms, the Clanree Hotel, Conference & Event Centre is truly the ultimate destination. Each room can be set to cater for your individual needs and the hotel team is on hand to recommend the most effective configuration for your type of meeting to ensure that each delegate gets optimal input and vision.
To sum up, key features include conference facilities, meeting space for up to 1,000 delegates, gala banqueting for up to 500 guests, 120 well-appointed guest rooms, free WIFI and ample free car parking.
The Clanree Hotel
Derry Road,
Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal.
Telephone: +353 74 9124369
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.clanreehotel.com
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Spring 2026, Vol 2 No 1
