The Brehon Laws

Welcome to The Brehon Killarney

Let us amaze you

By custom and culture, the Irish are a hospitable people. Visitors to Ireland happily testify to the warmth of the welcome. But not many realise it is a culture enshrined in ancient Irish law.

The Brehon Laws governed the ancient society of Erin in the days when an emerging Roman Empire sought to civilise mainland Europe. Under Brehon Law, it was an obligation to offer hospitality to anyone who happened upon your dwelling place. But few regarded it as an obligation; they felt it was a privilege to offer a roof, sustenance, warmth and a welcome.

My family’s ancestors were among the first to embrace those laws. We are proud to adhere to them still – and to give expression to that great tradition in a Hotel where we blend the best of the old and the new under the banner that proclaims our heritage.

The Brehon represents the pinnacle of our experience – and our pride. It is the welcome that the O’Donoghue Family have extended for generations.

It gives me great pleasure to bestow this welcome to you – Céad Míle Fáilte.

I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay with us and thank you once again for choosing The Brehon, Killarney.

Mr. Patrick O’Donoghue

Managing Director

                                                                                                                                   

Welcome

I wish to warmly welcome you to The Brehon. I trust you will have a most enjoyable stay.

At The Brehon, we offer a broad range of facilities and services, which are included in this Guest Information Directory. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of my management Team.

Gary Curran

Hotel Manager

THE BREHON WAY

The O'Donoghues are a family whose ancestors were among the first to embrace the Brehon laws. Keeping true to the essence of those laws on hospitality - they welcome you to celebrate with them The Brehon Experience. 

The Brehon Laws Brehon Laws were civil laws that governed everyday life in the 15th Century and were concerned with payment of compensation for harm done and the regulation of property, inheritance and contracts. The name Brehon comes from the Irish word for 'Judge'  Passed on orally from at least the first century BC the Brehon Laws, named for Ireland's wandering jurists, were first set down on parchment in the seventh century AD, using the newly-developed, written Irish Language, and continued in use until the beginning of the seventeenth century.

The Brehon Way programme ensure both Management and Staff here in the Hotel embrace the Brehon Laws to enhance your customer experience. The Story of our Logo The Salmon depicted in The Brehon logo represents the Salmon of knowledge - from Irish Mythology. The story goes that the poet Fiegas spent 7 years fishing for this salmon, because he knew if he caught it and ate its flesh he would have all the knowledge in the world. When he caught it he asked his young apprentice Fionn to cook it. As he cooked it Fionn burned his thumb and sucked it to relieve the pain. When Fionn gave the cooked fish to his boss, Fiegas saw from the light in Fionn's eyes that he had gained all the knowledge and wisdom of the salmon. Fionn later became the leader of the Fianna famed heros of Irish myth.  The Story of Danú In Irish mythology, Danú is the mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann Old Irish: "The peoples of the goddess Danú "). Though primarily seen as an ancestral figure, some Victorian sources also associate her with the land. Danú was considered as the mythic mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Celtic tribes that first invaded Ireland. Indeed, the Thuata Dé were the descendants of the goddess Danú, and in some local instances, the ruler of the otherworld was a goddess, rather than a god, just as some folktales represented the otherworld as 'the Land of Women'. Danú may be connected with Bridget, daughter of Kildare and of learning, culture and skills.

Singing Sensation Daniel O’Donnell Attracts Thousands to Killarney

Irish singing sensation, Daniel O’Donnell travelled to Killarney last week for a series of sold-out gigs at the INEC.

Over 10,000 tickets were sold across the five night run (August 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19)and fans in their thousands descended on the town bringing a much welcomed boost to business in what has proved to be a difficult season to date.

“Daniel O’Donnell’s popularity is unfaltering,” says Patrick O’Donoghue Managing Director of the INEC and Gleneagle Hotel, “and once you have attended one of his shows, it is easy to understand why.”

“We have guests booked in from as far away as the US and Australia and they are coming to Killarney especially to see Daniel perform.”

The fact that the five INEC gigs are Daniel’s only concert dates this summer has meant that the demand for tickets has been phenomenal and all five shows are sold out.  

“I’m really looking forward to heading down to Killarney,” says Daniel, “I am absolutely thrilled and amazed at the amount of people who are coming to see the shows.”

“I’m delighted to be performing at the INEC and I’ll be joined by my full band and touring partner Mary Duff. You can expect to hear all the hits and songs that have become big show favourites through the decades including Stand Beside Me, My Donegal Show, I Just Want To Dance With You and I Need You.”

Daniel O’Donnell performed at the INEC, Killarney on August 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19. For more information visit www.inec.ie

10 Things to Do in Killarney in The Rain

This summer is officially a wash-out.  I don't know if the rain is ever going to stop.  In fact, I feel like Noah & I'm going to build an ark.  But do you know what, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!  Here is my list of 10 things to do in Killarney even though it’s bucketing down.

1.       Get those kids out from under your feet & get them into the free Kids Club in our sister hotel, The Gleneagle.  There they can do arts & crafts, parachute games, egg & spoon races, or play on the bouncy castle.

2.       Bored teenagers? Try the Teen Zone at The Gleneagle Hotel, again open to our guests. They can hang out with teenagers their own age and lounge around on bean bags playing computer games, play table football, go on cinema trips, indoor soccer & hockey, quiz nights & basically scuff someone else’s furniture that is not yours!

3.       Can’t get out for that walk? Killarney has so much indoor activities it’s amazing.  Try rock climbing at Play at the Height, swim in the 25 metre pool or try a spinning class at the Gleneagle next door or burn off some energy in our Gym.

4.       Get under that duvet, turn on our block buster movies & order up popcorn, Pringles & chocolates from our room service & chillax. It’s a known fact that calories consumed whilst under a duvet do not exist.  Really!

5.       Book a couple's massage & unwind in our spa.  Gorge on tropical fruits, sip ginger tea & enjoy bubble bliss in our Jacuzzi. It may not have the suns of Thailand but it is a taste of Thailand.

6.       Get shopping! Killarney Outlet Centre has loads of shops all under cover & with our discount voucher book you can save loads.  Killarney has a ginourmous Tesco’s, Marks and Sparks, Boots, Dorothy Perkins, New Look & much more & you will only get wet going from your car to the threshold.  It’s do-able.

7.       Hoist yourself up on a bar seat in The Brehon Bar & sample our cocktail menu.  Start with a mojito, swing by a cosmopolitan & end with The Brehon Cocktail. The rain might not have stopped but by the end of that you won’t know it’s raining.

8.       Killarney is steeped in history.  Muckross House welcomed Queen Victoria in 1861 to stay & Ross Castle was built in the 15^th century & you can do a guided tour of both for a small pittance.  And guess what, both these places have roofs!

9.       Pretend to be posh & order our scrumptious afternoon tea.  Curl up by our open fires, get a good book (I have heard 50 Shades of Grey is good!) and feast on mini desserts, yummy sandwiches & tasty bites.  Jolly good ol’ chap!

10.   Lastly, buy a rain jacket & get out there.  We have a National Park on our doorstep & we hide from drops of rain.  No one can melt in the rain.  We are rust proof.  So don that coat & go see Torc Waterfall, The Gap of Dunloe or the Lakes of Killarney!

Online Sensation An Alternative Wedding at The Brehon, Killarney

The staff at The Brehon in Killarney are setting their sights on Hollywood following the news that their latest online video has gone viral.

Titled “An Alternative Wedding” - the three minute video has received over 1300 hits since being uploaded to You Tube just two weeks ago.

The video stars the staff from the hotel including Hotel Manager Gary Curran and Executive Chef John Drummond and was filmed by Director Tony Byrne and Director of Photography Fionn MacGhiolla Chuda along with students from the FAS Television and Video Production Course based in Tralee.  

The humorous storyline follows the behind the scenes preparations for a wedding at The Brehon while also highlighting Killarney’s stunning scenery.

“Our aim was to make a video that shows the thought and hard work that goes into every Brehon wedding.  This video gives real insight into the ethos and atmosphere of The Brehon which we believe cannot be illustrated by using words and photos alone,” explains Brehon Marketing Executive and Video Producer Sabrina Horgan. 

“The Brehon is a unique hotel and our staff go above and beyond the call of duty to make it so. We wanted to emphasis this through a video, we had great fun making it and we think you will agree that it is not like any other hotel video ever made.”

Couples planning their special day are invited to visit The Brehon on Sunday, June 24 between 2pm and 6pm for a Wedding Consultation Day.  In the meantime check out An Alternative Wedding at The Brehon by logging onto www.youtube.com/user/TheBrehonHotel or www.thebrehon.com

Donagh Davern Appointed Regional General Manager Of The Gleneagle Group

Donagh Davern Appointed Regional General Manager

Of The Gleneagle Group

The Gleneagle Group, based in Killarney, has announced the appointment of Donagh Davern to the role of Regional General Manager. Donagh will be responsible for a number of properties within the group, including The Brehon, and will join the group’s Senior Management Team.

Donagh has over 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, most recently in Cork, where he was Chairman of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.

He has been responsible for a number of prestige properties including The Kingsley Hotel Group, The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort and The Killarney Park Hotel.

“I am thrilled to be joining The Gleneagle Group. My entire career has been spent in the hospitality industry and I look forward to continuing this tradition by providing ‘best in class’ services to The Gleneagle Group’s current and future customers,” says Donagh.

The Gleneagle Group represents a selection of Ireland’s best known and most highly regarded hotel, entertainment and holiday destinations including The Gleneagle Hotel and Apartments, The INEC, The Brehon, Scotts Hotel and The Travel Inn in Killarney as well as The Maritime Hotel in Bantry.

 “We are very excited to welcome Donagh to the Group,” says Patrick O’Donoghue, Managing Director of The Gleneagle Group. “Not only will he bring a tighter focus to customer service, but will also will be a great role model for our employees and further strengthen the relationship with all our stakeholders.”

Valentines @ The Brehon

Valentine’s at The Brehon, Killarney

Couples needn’t travel to a remote island at the end of the earth in search of the perfect romantic getaway this Valentine’s. With lovers’ walks, secluded lakeshores and stunning waterfalls aplenty Killarney has much to offer those in search of that perfect romantic getaway.

And after a romantic day exploring Killarney National Park where better to hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign then on the door of one of the many suites at The Brehon.  This hotel’s aptly named “Do Not Disturb” package includes two night’s accommodation and breakfast in bed each morning. There will be a chilled bottle of prosecco and strawberries awaiting your arrival. While the fluffy bathrobes supplied will be yours to take home.

The Brehon “Do Not Disturb” package is available from Friday, February 10 to Thursday, February 16 and costs €185 per person sharing midweek and €215pps at weekends and an upgrade to a suite is optional.

For the ultimate in romantic luxury opt for a Couple’s Massage at the Angsana Spa at The Brehon. Staffed by expert Thai therapists, The Angsana Spa at The Brehon is the European flagship of the celebrity worshipped Banyan Tree Spas so a better spa treatment in Ireland is hard to find. Couples Massages cost from €180 for a ninety minute session.

“Honeymooners and love struck couples travel from all over the world to stay with us in The Brehon and experience all the magic Killarney has to offer,” says Gary Curran, General Manager of The Brehon.

“We created our “Do Not Disturb” package as we felt it was time to remind everyone in Ireland that one of the most romantic destinations is right here on your doorstep and that you needn’t travel thousands of miles or spend thousands of euro to find romance.”

For further information or to book this package call The Brehon on 064 30700 of visit www.thebrehon.com

**ENDS**

Package Summary:

And after a romantic day exploring Killarney National Park where better to hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign then on the door of one of the many suites at The Brehon.  This hotel’s aptly named “Do Not Disturb” package includes two night’s accommodation and breakfast in bed each morning. There will be a chilled bottle of prosecco and strawberries awaiting your arrival. While the fluffy bathrobes supplied will be yours to take home.

The Brehon “Do Not Disturb” package is available from Friday, February 10 to Thursday, February 16 and costs €185 per person sharing midweek and €215pps at weekends and an upgrade to a suite is optional.

Christmas In Killarney

Well it that time of year again. I was walking through town last week and saw one of Killarneys famous horses with a bright red nose, no it wasn't because he forgot his hat or was in need of a lemsip. It was one of Killarney's many events going on over Christmas.

The christmas in Killarney brochure is jam packed this year. As a father myself I would have to say its great to be able to ramble around town on an afternoon and have reindeer in one corner, sleigh rides (with our above mentioned horse) going on all around us and of course the mountains of sweets and various types of candy available along the streets (for the kids of course).

Also there is a number of great concerts and functions going on over the Christmas period. There are some fantastic Irish bands playing over the festive period from Imelda May to The Saw Doctors and to kick of the New Year in mysterious fashion Keith Barry will be paying us a visit. Also for the kids Bob the Builder will be popping along to show demonstrate how to do those all important home improvements!

Santa will be calling to us on christmas eve and we have a long chimney so our chefs will be putting out an extra helping of cookies for the man in the big red suit. Also the chefs here at the Brehon have some wonderful homemade Jams and Christmas Puddings available at the reception. I have personally tested them all and I can confirm they are simply delicious!

I wish you all a very happy & warm Christmas and a delightful & prosperous new year.

Best of Seasons Wishes

Danny McClure 

Guest Relations Manager

Christmas Tasty Tips from The Brehon

 

By Head Chef Mike Hayes

Here at the Brehon kitchen, preparations for our Christmas menus started quite a few weeks ago.

From pudding basins to jam jars, our team of chefs have been busying themselves with their annual tasks of soaking fruits, making preserves and relishes, and generously pouring the liquor over our rich, fruity Christmas Puddings.

It is our pleasure to lend a hand to our blog followers in their efforts this Christmas, and our team of chefs, led by head chef Mike Hayes present you with these tips to make this Christmas a special one for you and yours.

The Starter

We all know what happens after Christmas dinner. After eating the equivalent of a small Victorian banquet, plonked on the sofa, unable to even reach for the remote, we are left pondering that same old question as last year- Why did I have that second bowl of trifle?

With this in mind it is sensible to keep your Christmas Day starter as light an easy as possible.

Seafood is always a popular choice as a prequel to the annual turkey roast, and whether you decide on smoked salmon, delicious Irish crab meat or fresh local prawns, for even the most unadventurous of home-cooks, it’s hard to go wrong. As a great alternative to those frozen supermarket shrimp from the North Sea, how about calling to your local fishmonger in the run up to Christmas, and ordering a kilo or two of fresh Irish prawns. Your fishmonger will do all the shelling for you, leaving you with the simple task of blanching the prawns in some salted boiling water, chilling in ice-water, then tossing them in the dressing of your choice.

The Roast

The turkey is probably the part of the Christmas meal that causes the chef the most stress.

Timings and checking the doneness of the bird can be quite tricky, and this can result in an over or undercooked turkey.

Why not take the stress out of the day and ask your butcher to bone out your turkey. Have your butcher stuff and tie the legs, leaving you with a much quicker and easier task on Christmas Day.

Because the legs will take a little longer to cook, wrap them in foil and place them in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for about 2.5 hours.

The breast will cook far quicker than a whole bird and will result in far moister and juicier meat.

Brush the meat with a little butter and season with sea salt and black pepper before roasting at 180°C. The general rule of thumb for cooking poultry is 20 minutes per pound weigh, so if the breast is 4lb weight it should be cooked in 80-90 minutes.

The Pudding

Here at the Brehon we love our Christmas pudding. Over the course of the month our team will steam over 1000 plum puddings for 3 ½ - 4 hours.

The method is simple but it is important to follow the steps carefully.

Using quality dried fruits is essential to the success of your pudding, and good quality liquor provides a richness of taste that will not go unnoticed.

Soak the fruits for at least a day before making your pudding.

The important points to remember are as follows: cream the butter and sugar well, add the eggs slowly to the mixture to avoid curdling, and cover well to avoid steam getting into your pud.

Plum Pudding Recipe ( makes 1 2lb pudding)

100g Raisins

50g Sultanas

50g Dry Cranberries

50g Mixed Peel

50ml Dark Rum

65g Butter

50g Brown Sugar

1 Orange Zest

40g Breadcrumbs

20g Plain Flour

20g Self-Raising Flour

1 Tspn Mixed Spice