Girl Power!

15 April 2013

Dooley’s Hotel Awarded Overall Munster Winner in Ulster Bank’s ‘Women Led Business’ Category   

 

An historical Waterford Hotel, which has been passed down from mother to daughter for three generations, has been named overall  Munster winner in the prestigious ‘Women Led Business’ category of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards 2012. 

 

Select Hotels of Ireland member, Dooley’s Hotel in Waterford City is delighted to announce the prestigious award and will now go on to compete for the national title against the other three provinces in this category. Dooley’s Hotel could also potentially be awarded an ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever Award’ at a ceremony on Thursday 30th May at The Mansion House, Dublin. 

 

Passed down from mother to daughter for three generations, Dooley’s hotel was originally run by two Dooley sisters; Mol and Kate, back in the 19th century, and was taken over by Rita Nolan in 1947. Rita’s daughter June Darrer joined her mother Rita in the 60’s and the hotel is now owned and managed by June and her two daughters Tina and Margaret.  

 

Women-led businesses are proving to be amongst the most resilient, although as a percentage of overall businesses, those led by women remain under represented. Ulster Bank’s ‘Women Led Business’ category highlights the exceptional role women have in starting, growing and running successful businesses.  

 

June is delighted with the award and said at the announcement: “Banks were very male dominated in the forties, so it would have been extremely difficult to get a loan to start a business if you were a woman. My mother was a fantastic woman who single handily ran the business while raising a family.” 

 

June went on to say “This award means so much to us, it is a major lifetime achievement after 60 years service and it is testament to the hard work of all our staff, both past and present.” 

 

General Manager of Select Hotels, Una Young, is delighted with Dooly’s Hotel receiving the award. Speaking at the announcement Una said: “It is fantastic that Dooley’s Hotel has been in female ownership for three generations, it is a real testament to the hard work and total dedication of these wonderful women, whom not only had to run a very successful business but raise their families. Select Hotels are very proud to have them as one of our members. Good Hotels run by experienced Hoteliers with a history of hospitality are striving through the recession as they have always kept their focus on the customer. 

 

Located in the heart of historic Waterford, Dooley’s Hotel has a unique history including the plot of ground on which Dooley’s Hotel now stands was outside the medieval city and was not developed until the eighteenth century. What started off as an eight-bedroom hotel has been transformed into 113 luxury bedrooms all ensuite. 

 

For further information on Select Hotels of Ireland’s members, visit www.selecthotels.ie