Lake Hotel’s fine gesture in COVID-19 times

LAKE HOTEL DONATES FOOD STOCK TO ADAPT WOMEN’S CENTRE IN TRALEE, IN A FINE SHOW OF GOOD WILL.

DIFFICULT times often bring out the very best in us, and Killarney Lake Hotel has made something good of what is a particularly hard time for the hospitality sector.

The hotel’s doors closed on March 17 and, obviously, have remained closed as Ireland buckles up for one of the greatest challenges it has faced.

It couldn’t have come at a much worse time for the hotel, but as Sales and Marketing Manager Sheila O’Callaghan explained to The Kerryman ,it was the right decision to make for the health and safety of staff and guests.

And with a lot of stock left in the kitchen ahead of what would be seen as the traditional start of the tourist season, the staff set about making something good of a very dispiriting time for everyone.

“As I say, we had a lot of stock left over for what should have been a very busy period for the hotel and the start of the season,” Sheila told The Kerryman. “But instead of leaving it go to waste, our Head Chef Noel Enright and I discussed the possibility of giving this stock to good causes.

“In the end, we were delighted that ADAPT Women’s Refuge in Tralee were in a position to take the stock, and they were extremely grateful.

“I wouldn’t have seen what was carried over on the day to them because I wasn’t there for that, but it would have included fruit and veg and, I would imagine, meat and poultry as well,” Sheila added.

The hotel has not set a date for its re-opening and Sheila said it will continue to follow all government guidelines to inform its decision-making.

All bookings up to April 16 have been cancelled, but the hotel is in talks to potentially extend that as, like so many businesses, it faces into a time of great uncertainty.

Again, these decisions will be informed by government guidelines.

“Staff was informed on March 16, and we closed at lunchtime on St Patrick’s Day,” Sheila said. “It was a very difficult decision to make in terms of our team and our guests, but their health and safety must always come first.

“We ensured that all our guests had alternative arrangements in place before that closure. We have no set open date in mind but, as I say, we will follow all government guidelines.”