Popular Killarney GP receives special retirement send-off
ONE of Kerry’s best known hotels the luxury Sheen Falls Lodge is likely to change hands in a matter of weeks.
The five-star hotel, located on the River Sheen three kilometres from Kenmare, is currently owned by Guernsey based Palladian Hotels.
Palladian – an investment fund with interests in Ireland and the UK, which is led by the former head of Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels Paul Clarke – bought Sheen Falls in 2013.
The Channel Islands fund that operates a number of luxury manor house and castle hotels were reported to have paid in the region of €5 million for the renowned Kerry hotel.
They subsequently invested a further €5 million on an extensive refurbishment of the hotel itself and of its extensive grounds.
Despite its €10million investment in the property Palladian look set to make a significant profit on its sale.
Last week it emerged that Palladian are expected to sell the hotel to an Asian investment group for a reported €17 million.
Palladian and the Thai investment fund are understood to be close to finalising a deal and the Kenmare hotel could formally change hands by the end of the year.
Sheen Falls – which has 66 rooms and suites as well as several holiday lodges – was originally built in the late 1980s by a Danish shipping magnate Bent Hoyer. Constructed around an 18th century hunting lodge the hotel opened for business in 1991. DR Patricia Mangan enjoyed a fond farewell from friends and colleagues at The Plaza Hotel, Killarney on Friday last. Patricia, who retired earlier this year following a long and distinguished service as a GP, was popular with patients within her own GP practice and as an assigned GP for Killarney Community Hospital where she served since 1981.
“There were times when it was very challenging, but it was always worthwhile,” Patricia said.
“I met some wonderful people there and the great thing about retiring locally is that I still get to meet the people I’ve been lucky enough to interact with. That side of it is lovely,” she said.
Patricia said she will miss interacting with people but by the same token is also looking forward to doing some travelling and spending more time cooking and getting involved with local groups like Tidy Towns.
“I will miss meeting people for sure, but there is lots to look forward to,” she added.
A native of Dublin, Patricia completed her training in the capital prior to marrying the late Dr Bill Mangan. Bill was a native of Killorglin and the couple opened a GP practice in 1970.
Marie Flynn is Director of Nursing at Killarney Community Hospital and St Columbanus. She described Dr Mangan as someone who gave expert human care at all times and was always compassionate towards patients.
“She was an excellent colleague and I couldn’t speak highly enough of her. She was a friend to everybody,” she said.
“Dr Mangan delivered an excellent service right up to her retirement. It wasn’t just the people from the Killarney area that knew Dr Mangan, but people from every part of Kerry that used our acute services. She is a wonderful person and she deserves to be acknowledged in a proper way, which is why we held this event for her. A lot of the older staff also returned for the event, which made it extra special for Dr Mangan.” left)