Shelbourne Hotel (The)

In 1824, when The Shelbourne hotel was established by Tipperary man, Martin Burke, to ‘woo genteel customers’, with fashionable accommodation, no-one was ever to know the historical place it would take in the cultural, social and political fabric of Irish life. He named it after William 2nd Earl of Shelburne (prime minister of Britain 1782-83), in an attempt to link the hotel with the fame and reputation of the PM and with the ascendancy in general. Over the next ninety years, the hotel became associated with wealth, success and famous heads of state and its year revolved around the social seasons- bloodstock, racing and shows at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).

By the outbreak of war in 1914, and with many of the German staff being interned, the Shelbourne became the hub of military activity. The hotel remained open throughout and during the republican Easter Rising in 1916, though considered a legitimate target by the rebel forces, opened its doors to tend the sick, regardless of what side they fought on.

In May 1922, one of Ireland’s (and the Shelbourne’s) most historic meetings took place in room 112, when Michael Collins headed up the drafting of the Irish constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann. This room is now a conference room named the Constitution Room. By August 1922, all hotel business had returned to normal and over the next forty years, the hotel became the premier venue for society events and international guests. During these years, the hotel’s guest book entries include John and Jacqui Kennedy, Richard Burton, Liz Taylor, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Orson Welles, Princess Grace of Monaco…the list goes on and on!

In 2005, designer Frank Nicholsan was enlisted to undertake an extensive restoration of the hotel. A new wing was added, the lift was removed from the lobby to reveal the wonderful ornate staircase. The Lord Mayor’s Lounge, The Horseshoe Bar and The Constitution Room were all restored and a new restaurant, The Saddle Room was created.

The executive chef, John Mooney has created a wonderful Oyster Bar with four typed of oysters and guests can sit at the wonderful bar and drink Guinness as they enjoy their oysters. When we visited, we sat in the cosy gold padded booths and chose a stunning, refreshing starter of Lobster Ceviche with Chilli, Grapefruit and Mint from the dinner menu, which features plenty of local seafood and organic meat. To follow, an Organic Chicken was roasted with herbs and served with Creamed Spinach, Caramelised Cauliflower and Gratin Potatoes. This is perfect comfort food, complete with gravy and braised greens and shows a deft hand at work in the kitchen. Dessert was a sticky and fabulous Treacle Tart, served with Homemade Pistachio Ice-cream and was complemented by the glass of Jurancon, Domaine de Cauhaupe, recommended by the excellent sommelier. Some indulgent petit-fours and decent coffee completed our repast, before retiring to our ‘Heritage Room’, overlooking St Stephen’s Green.

Rooms are beautifully finished in gold and cream with Egyptian cotton sheets on large, comfortable beds. Bathrooms are tiled in Italian marble and have an integrated audio system, perfect for long leisurely baths with luscious pampering products! All ‘Heritage Rooms’ or suites have access to the ‘Heritage Lounge’, where breakfast can be enjoyed in a stunning light-filled drawing room, with large sash windows, also with a breathtaking view if the park.

If cooked breakfast is required, the Oyster Bar converts into a breakfast bar in the morning and the breakfast menu offers a mouth-watering selection of pastries, bagels and pancakes, in addition to fruit, cereals and a cheese and charcuterie platter. We chose some delicious hash browns and some Irish organic chicken sausages and a bowl of porridge, served with a little pot of lavender honey. It was perfect!

Service at the Shelbourne is smart, informed and sophisticated. For less formal lunch or dinner, the No.27 Bar and Lounge is a perfect place to watch the world go by or for a real treat, afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge is a Dublin institution. For overhearing gossip and scandals and watching fantastic bar-staff in action, The Horseshoe Bar is legendary.

The Shelbourne is one of our great iconic buildings. Its corridors and rooms also house some our most successful artists, past and present. Those same corridors also echo with the memories of stories full of history and glamour. The location is stunning, the staff are gracious and the food they serve is locally sourced, organic, where possible and cooked with love.

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

27 St Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
+353 (0) 1 6634500
Email: rhi.dubbr.reservations@renaissancehotels.com
Web: www.theshelbourne.ie

 

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