DERMOT BUYS BROPHY’S HOTEL

JUST a few weeks ago, Mr. Garrett Brophy sold his hotel premises amidst speculation among Deesiders that the building, which has a regular and steady clientele , would be bought by someone who would change its function. However, much to the relief and delight of all it was bought by a native son, Mr. Dermot O’Brien (right) who has no intention of changing its use.

The decision to sell the hotel was not an easy one for Garrett who has been part of it since his father died when he was 14 and he began his apprenticeship.

But it was made easier when none of his three children showed any interest in the business. His daughter Margaret opted for a career in teaching, Susan is nursing and Justin is in his fourth year studying medicine. The hotel is no recent addition to the town. Records stretch back to 1824 when it was then in the hands of a family called Hickey. Gerald Brophy (Garrett’s father) married a woman from the Hickey family and continued with the business after her death. He later remarried and Garrett was his eldest son.

Garett and his wife Ann, who is a native of Co. Roscommon have been running the hotel and the adjoining grocery store for a number of years and have seen many changes in the town.

“There was a time when it was obvious there was a slump in the town, but you can see it picking up now,” says Garrett, who has always done a good business in the grocery shop.

So confident is he that things are looking up, that he is not going to sit back and enjoy his retirement in the new bungalow which himself and his wife have bought, instead he plans to open a delicatessen opposite the hotel.

‘We hope to stock a good selection of fresh foods as well as the usual food stuff associated with delicatessens plus my wife’s pate which is famous in the town,” promises Garrett. In the meantime the 10 bedroomed hotel will be undergoing some changes though as yet the plans have not been finalised. However, it seems almost certain that a grill bar will be opened while the grocery store will be closed, and at a later stage it is hoped to open a function room.

Commenting on the business Garrett remarked “It’s a hard enough job demanding a lot of time and that is partly why I an leaving” but he added he felt confident that Dermot would make an excellent job of it.