SPORTS THEME TO MEADOWLANDS 20TH CELEBRATIONS
TRALEE’S Meadowlands Hotel will be joined by a host of sports stars including soccer legend Paul McGrath and Cork’s Seán Óg Ó hAilpín to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a business with a weekend festival from 15th to 17th June and all in aid of Kerry Hospice Foundation / Palliative Care.
The Meadowlands hotel, established by Paddy Ó Mathúna along with his wife Peigí, opened on 19th June in 1998 and has grown in size, now employing over 60 staff and boasting 58 bedrooms, Johnny Frank’s Bar & Lounge, An Moínéar Restaurant and a 300 capacity events centre.
Paddy responds with a typical West Kerry phrase when asked why he got into the hotel business, “I don’t know what I was thinking really but I am still here most days after 20 years so I must be enjoying it. The first weekend in June, 1998 was a pure nightmare. I remember it was very stressful. As usual the opening night came upon us too quickly. People were arriving and we were nowhere near ready. The following few weeks were also interesting to say the least. The hotel business is at times very difficult, especially during the recession but thankfully we got out the other side. It is a business that doesn’t stop and it is difficult to switch off. But that being said, every day is different and it has more ups than downs.”
SOCCER LEGEND PAUL MCGRATH TO MAKE APPEARANCE
The centrepiece of the festival is the 20th Anniversary Sports Gala in the Meadowlands Ballroom on Saturday night hosted by RTE’s Joe Stack and which features a Q&A with sporting heroes including Kerry’s Tomás O Se, Cork’s 2005 All-Ireland winning hurling captain Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Ireland and Munster rugby legend Mick Galwey, open water endurance swimmer Dingle’s Nuala Moore and former Ireland, Manchester Utd. and Aston Villa soccer legend Paul McGrath among others. The event tickets which are on sale at the hotel, will include the panel event, prosecco and canape pre-reception, a major raffle and live music with James Begley, Laurence Courtney and Friends.The festival, which will take place on the grounds of the hotel, will kick-off with a Coffee Morning on the Friday morning followed by a sports pub quiz that evening and live music in Johnny Frank’s bar. It will host sports challenges run in partnership with Tralee Warriors and The Chain Gang Cycle Club on Saturday and there will be lots of free family activity also during Saturday. The festival weekend winds down on Sunday with a 20th Anniversary Sunday Lunch Special. Check Facebook. com/Meadowlands for a schedule of events or contact the hotel on (066) 718 0444 for Sports Gala tickets and general enquiries.