The redeveloped Ivy Bar is now open for business at Ashdown Park Hotel
THE Ivy Bar in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey has been redeveloped just in time for the busy summer season.
General Manager Paul Finegan said the entire bar and restaurant was revamped in six days. Liz Harte is behind the design and she brought a vibrancy and edge to the project, while still retaining the traditional feel of the hotel.
Head chef at the Ashdown Park Hotel Val Murphy used the redevelopment as an opportunity to introduce a strong salad, wraps and sandwiches menu. ‘We really wanted to expand our light dishes section using our own Redmond Farm produce and local artisan products,’ added Val.
The new design has propelled the bar into a space that is bright, inviting and works on two levels – for a speedier lunch or a comfortable setting for evening food and drinks.
Mr Finegan said it was a good opportunity to refresh the bar at the same time as increasing capacity.
‘The food business had outgrown the space,’ said Mr Finegan. ‘At lunch time we have a state of the art new food counter and serving area with a country store feel where we also sell artisan produce, fresh breads, scones, preserves and dressings, both our own and some of our local producers.
‘However we now also have the ability to close off the lunch service area in the evenings making it a much more intimate space for evening dining.’
The Ivy Bar now has the addition of a large deli counter, serving daily from the slightly earlier time of 12 noon.