Meeting Rooms - Business Plus Online

FEBRUARY 2012 

SURVEY 

Meeting 

Rooms 

The Dublin region has a wide selection 

of hotels and other venues with meeting 

room and conference facilities. 

The premier venues are listed 

in our annual survey 

The Liffey Boardroom at Convention Centre Dublin

Leave it to the Carlton! 

Your time is priceless, 

whatever the event, conference 

or meeting, our team will 

Reply to all enquires within 60 mins* 

www.carlton.ie/conference 

LoCall: 1890 288 288 

*T&C apply

Tim Whyte 

Rezidor Hotel Group 

Demand was much stronger in 

2011 than we had anticipated. The 

corporate market is always a good 

indicator when coming out of a 

downturn. As the country recovers 

further we envisage that the 

number and size of conferences 

will gradually return to very healthy 

levels. For 2012 we are anticipating 

that we will host more conferences 

than we have since we arrived in 

Ireland in 1998. 

People are demanding more 

value for money and I don’t see 

that this will change before the end 

of this decade. The main priorities 

for meeting planners are that the 

64 Business Plus February 2012 

BP SURVEY Meeting Rooms 

Looking Forward 

With Confidence 

Hotels and venues that cater for meetings, events and conferences are a good 

barometer of business confidence. ROBERT O’BRIEN hears from some of 

the leading players that trade through 2011 was fairly good and 

that the prospects for 2012 are encouraging 

Tim Whyte, 

Rezidor Hotel Group 

service and facilities offered by the 

hotel or venue meet their specific 

requirements, and are priced 

competitively. They do not want to 

compromise on either, as they are 

both instrumental to a successful 

meeting, and with Radisson Blu 

Hotels they don’t have to. 

We have carried out 

refurbishments and upgrades in 

some of our meetings and events 

spaces across our portfolio. The 

Radisson Blu Hotel Galway has 

opened a Salt Spa which offers a 

revolutionary solution to 

respiratory difficulties and skin 

discomforts. These other facilities 

and services complement the 

meeting or event itself and will 

influence its overall success – 

and this is where we believe that 

Radisson Blu Hotels excel. 

Jean O’Connell 

Carlton Hotel Group 

We experienced a strong increase 

in demand through the first nine 

months of 2011. We would see this 

level of business holding and 

increasing further in some of our 

more corporate properties in 2012. 

The addition of Carlton Hotel 

Blanchardstown to our portfolio 

has seen our customer base 

increase considerably. We have also 

added additional meeting rooms in 

Jean O’Connell, 

Carlton Hotel Group 

Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport. 

Due to the increase in our 

meeting room space we are 

offering more competitive rates. 

Although value for money is very 

important, price is not the number 

one factor when choosing a venue. 

Consistency in service and quality 

are key as well as efficiency and 

professionalism from enquiry stage 

right through to delivery on the day. 

We have introduced a responsetime 

guarantee of 60 minutes for 

conference enquires across any of 

the 10 Carlton Hotels. 

We have reinvested considerably 

in our hotels over the past 12 

months. All our hotels have new 

Carlton menus with light and 

healthy options featuring energy 

activators and brain food. I would 

encourage organisers to plan early 

where possible to ensure best 

rates. Give as much information as 

possible with regards to your 

requirements, from the type of 

attendees to the location. 

Aline Fitzgerald 

Four Seasons Hotel 

We experienced a steady demand 

for meeting space throughout 2011 

with an increase in demand for 

one-day conferences with lunch. 

More companies hosted meetings 

or presentations during lunch or 

dinner, with 100 to 120 attendees. 

The lead-time for bookings 

continues to reduce and we 

anticipate this trend will continue 

in 2012. The customer now requires 

more options in terms of both 

menu offering and price point. We 

offer more package options when 

appropriate to demonstrate value 

and to secure additional business. 

The majority of organisers select 

our venue for the standard and 

execution of service we provide. 

Our event space is all on the same 

level and clients value the seamless 

flow from set-up to the execution 

of the event. The ability to park at 

the hotel is an advantage and key 

to many clients.

Aline Fitzgerald, 


Last year we replaced all carpets 

and some wall covering in the 

function space. We have also 

placed a strong emphasis on 

developing our product with 

improved menu selection and 

enhanced presentation of food and 


beverages in the banquet area. In 

many cases we act as a one-stop 

shop for all meeting or conference 

requirements. We are fortunate to 

have our own onsite florist and AV 

company too. 

When organising a new 

conference or event, bookers should 

consider which venue will attract 

the highest attendance. Where do 

the attendees like to go? That 

factor makes a difference. 

Affiliation with the Four Seasons 

brand should be another 

consideration. 

Marie Lawlor 

Convention Centre Dublin 

Last year was our first calendar 

year in operation. We hosted over 

250 events, including a range of 

international conferences, and highprofile 

events such as the IFTAs and 

Great Value, Great Location 

● 20 Meeting Rooms incl. a Sports Hall, 

2 - 400 delegates 

● 25 Bedrooms 

● Convenient location and easy access from 

City, Airport and M50 access 

To enquire about our 

facilities, call 

Marino Conference Centre 

Tel: 01 8057700 or log on to 

www.mieconferencing.com 

the much-publicised concert for 

Queen Elizabeth. We also saw a 

large increase in domestic and 

international enquiries. 

It was also a pivotal year for us 

in terms of international 

recognition and achievement. Less 

than six months after opening, 

CCD won a silver award at the UK 

Meetings & Incentive Travel 

Awards. The facility garnered a 

further eight industry awards 

through 2011. This year we look 

forward to hosting many events, 

including the Euro Prevent 2012, 

which will bring 2,000 delegates 

over three days, as well as the 

International Bar Association 

conference, which will attract 

4,500 delegates over six days. 

We are already seeing a very 

high rate of repeat business across 

all types of events. For example, 

Marie Lawlor, 

Convention Centre 

Dublin 

last year two-thirds of 2010 

customers enquired with us for 

their 2011 event. Now we are 

seeing strong interest from the 

overseas markets, including the UK, 

Europe and North America. 

continued on page 66 

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65

Dawn Leane 

Chartered Accountants House 

We experienced a high demand 

during 2011, even in what would 

typically be the quieter summer 

months. As a result, we have 

increased our targets for 2012. We 

opened our building at the end of 

2009 and have not adjusted our 

rates since. We find our day 

delegate rate offers the best value 

for clients in the current 

environment. 

The main priority for anyone 

planning an event or meeting 

should be flexibility. Delegates are 

very slow at booking for events, 

often leaving it to the last minute, 

so bookers need a venue that can 

be responsive. We are a relatively 

new venue but find that our ability 

to record and live stream events is 

very attractive to bookers. 

Carol McKenna 

The Regency Hotel 

Demand was steady throughout 

2011, with a small increase on 

2010. Based on current bookings 

we would anticipate a further 

increase for 2012. Our experience 

has been that all enquiries in the 

current climate are very price 

sensitive. Our room hire rates have 

66 


dropped substantially since the 

peak rates of three years ago. 

We have recently added six 

state-of-the-art meeting rooms and 

are in the process of extending our 

conference centre, which when 

complete will have capacity for 

conferences of up to 1,800 

delegates and banquets for 1,400. 

The key focus areas for any event 

organiser should be location, 

facilities and personal attention. 

Ciaran Fogarty 

Marino Institute of Education 

The demand for meeting rooms 

was much the same during 2011 

as it has been over the past few 

years. There have been some new 

enquiries lately but we expect 

2012 to continue to be a 

challenge and that the peaks of 

2007 and 2008 are not likely to be 

repeated. Clients are using 

external venues as little as 

possible in an effort to save 

money. 

Value remains high on the 

agenda of most event organisers. 

We would have always felt that 

clients experienced value here. 

However, people have got very 

good at haggling and looking for 

deals. If the lead time allows and 

For all enquiries, please contact T: 01 866 6524 E: meetings@portmarnock.com 

Strand Road, Portmarnock, Co.Dublin. www.portmarnock.com 

Ciaran Fogarty, 

Marino Institute 

availability is there, special rates 

can be achieved by customers. 

The main priorities for meeting 

event bookers should be location 

and atmosphere. We have a 

unique venue and that certainly 

appeals to our clients. As an 

academic venue we are always 

improving and updating our 

equipment and technology. There 

are more rooms with built-in 

equipment than ever before. 

Pre-event planning with realistic 

timings for the day of the event is 

the key to a successful event. 

Sometimes people do not allow 

enough time for a session or other 

elements of an event and this can 

have a knock-on effect on the 

entire day. Creating flow to an 

event is a skill in itself but with a 

little thought it can make a good 

event a great event. 

Anna Wood 

Portmarnock Hotel 

Our hotel hosted fewer big 

events in 2011, such as gala 

dinners and larger conferences. 

These were either downsized or 

didn’t go ahead. However, for 

2012 we can already see the start 

of a reverse to this trend. Because 

we have strategically played it 

right, we are in the very strong 

position of being able to re-invest 

in our product even in the times 

we are in. Our conference and 

banqueting centre was refurbished 

in 2009/10, with an overhaul of 

our famous Jameson Bar in early 

2011. We have also recently 

completed our bedroom 

refurbishment. 

We reduced our pricing in 2009 

to reflect the downturn in the 

economy. Ever since we have 

regularly reviewed and adjusted 

our prices across the board in 

accordance with our market 

positioning and client feedback. 


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� 10 mins from M50/Regional Motorway access 

� 170 complimentary car parking spaces 

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Plan your next business event with the confidence of success. In intimately 

scaled meeting space, Four Seasons provides personalised support – increasing 

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Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4, Ireland 

Tel. 353 (1) 665 4000 Fax. 353 (1) 665 4099 

Contact the Hotel directly for more details sales.dublin@fourseasons.com 

www.fourseasons.com/dublin

We feel that we are very fairly 

priced now and offer excellent 

value for money. When it comes to 

the main priorities for event 

bookers I would say that product, 

pricing and location are most 

important. Top-quality service 

delivery by our operations team on 

the day is also vital. 

Bertie Kelly 

National College of Ireland 

Demand for our facilities in 2011 

was very strong and this can be 

attributed to the college offering 

better value than many of our 

competitors. We expect demand to 

be similar in 2012. Our prices in 

2012 are 35% to 40% less than 

three years ago and over the past 

year we have improved our 

product. Specifically, we installed 

new light boxes, as these were 

68 


requested by a number of clients 

for financial presentations. 

While cost is undoubtedly 

important, it should not be the 

main consideration when it comes 

to selecting a venue. Clients want 

to be assured that all IT 

equipment will work on the day 

and we have a number of 

technicians on duty seven days a 

week. Event bookers have 

straightforward demands and 

ensuring that events run on time 

is critical, including whatever 

catering is involved. 

Andy Greenslade 

Roganstown Hotel & Country Club 

We have a very loyal customer 

base and demand for our meeting 

and event facilities was solid 

through 2011. We are expecting 

an increase in demand in 2012, 

Charleville Park Hotel 

& Leisure Club 

Planning 

an Event? 

Can cater for up to 800 delegates 

The perfect location for 

your Meeting 

‘Contemporary Class’ 

Call a member of our sales team now on 063-33700 or 

email info@CharlevilleParkHotel.com 

with more enquires coming from 

mainland Europe and the UK. 

Roganstown’s ease of access from 

Dublin Airport, and the distinct 

‘Irishness’ about the hotel, has 

given us a prominent position in 

the market place. 

Our customers realise that value 

lies with the entire product, not 

just the total spend in the hotel. 

We have offered initiatives like 

complimentary room hire, free 

transfers from the airport and allinclusive 

packages, which has 

represented fantastic value and 

savings for our customers. 

Event bookers want a fast 

and efficient reply, no hidden 

charges, easy to understand 

quotes and someone who is 

readily available to answer any 

questions. My recommendation 

would be that event organisers 

book early and they shouldn’t be 

afraid to ask questions to make 

sure that every detail is covered. 


Meetings at Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane 

LOCATION: 

Business districts are within close 

proximity to the hotel including 

IFSC, Grand Canal Square and The 

CCD. Easily accessible from all 

public transport routes and 

walking distance from city centre. 

FACILITIES: 

• Superior 4 star facilities. 

• Use of health & fitness club for 

delegates. 

• Complimentary Wi-Fi in all 

meeting rooms. 

Offer valid for meetings held during 2012, subject to availability. 

Bookings must be made by 30th April 2012. 

Simply contact us on: +353 (0)1 643 9590 

or email sales.cardifflane@maldronhotels.com 

www.maldronhotelcardifflane.com 

Andy Greenslade, 

Roganstown Hotel 

30% OFF Room Hire 

Part of

CCD Events 

CCD Technical 

CCD Hospitality 

Our Team 

is Your Team 

At our launch in 2010, we said that ‘without people, a venue is just a building’. 

Since then, we have hosted over 400 events, welcoming an impressive list of 

Irish and International corporate and association conferences and meetings. 

Our clients, from Google to Alcatel Lucent, from TM Forum to the International 

Statistical Institute, have consistently praised, above all else, the warmth, calibre, 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

every occasion. 

In 2011 we won 9 industry awards, achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditation, 

and a customer satisfaction rating of 96%. In 2012, our mission is to keep 

improving and innovating, to become the best conference venue in Europe. 

�� 

�� 

Contact our Sales Team on: +353 1 856 0000 

Email: sales@theccd.ie or visit: www.theccd.ie

Brenda Killeen 

Royal Marine Hotel 

We expect an improvement for 

2012 in residential business and 

the level of enquiries for the next 

12 months is very encouraging. 

Domestic meeting room business is 

much more last minute. We reopened 

in 2007 after a 70m 

refurbishment and we have found 

that this helped us in recent years 

with generating business. There are 

four main aspects an event or 

conference organiser should weigh 

up when booking a venue: 

location, accessibility, flexibility 

and value for money. Event 

organisers should look to get as 

much detail as possible from the 

end client to ensure the smooth 

running of their entire event. It’s 

also important to find out the 

client’s exact requirements in 

advance of the venue search. 

Ciara Conlon 

Marriott Ashbourne 

We experienced a slower demand 

during the first half of 2011 than 

in the previous year but there was 

a pick-up in the third quarter. 

Another trend we noticed was that 

booking lead-in times were a lot 

shorter. Value for money and 

equipment rental costs are hugely 

70 


important for event planners in the 

current climate. There are no 

hidden costs with our room hire 

rates and our all-in packages are 

inclusive of screen and projector 

rental. 

The prices we were charging for 

room hire are half the rate we 

were charging in 2008. The cost of 

catering is also much lower. 

My advice to event organisers 

would be to ensure you have a 

good relationship with your 

meeting or conference planner. 

Make sure you have a strong level 

of trust in the planner and ensure 

all details are passed over to the 

hotel well in advance. It’s also 

important to advise of changes at 

the earliest possible time. That 

makes everyone’s life easier and 

helps to ensure a well-run event. 

Julie Manahan 

Croke Park Conference Centre 

Demand and booking conversion 

rates in 2011 exceeded 2010 levels 

and the sales team has been 

extended in response to this, with 

a new sales manager and 

coordinator appointed. In spite of 

difficult economic conditions, we’re 

positive about 2012. We have 

some new product offerings which 

event organisers will be interested 

Julie Manahan, Croke 

Park Conference Centre 

in, such as rooftop tours and a 

new social event package called 

Cuisle Croke Park. 

Our value proposition is 

significantly different to what it 

was three years ago. Catering and 

room rates are more competitive, 

while day delegate rates of €40 

on Mondays and Fridays and €45 

on all other days have been very 

well received. Value for money and 

added value are the main priority 

for event organisers. 

AV is included in all conference 

hire rates here at Croke Park. We 

invested further in general decor in 

2011 and have enhanced the 

network capabilities at the venue. 

For organisers, it’s really important 

to visit the venue and familiarise 

yourself with all areas relevant to 

the running of your event. 

Depending on where delegates 

and speakers are travelling from, 

good onsite or adjacent 

accommodation is key. 

Adrienne Clarke 

Royal Dublin Society 

The demand for meeting space 

was good in 2011 but the trend is 

to book late. This year is already 

looking busy with several 

conferences booked for the peak 

months. We would expect the 

meetings market to continue to 

book late but pressure may be on 

to find availability. Our rates have 

remained the same for the past 

two years. We are inclined to offer 

value-added rather than discounts 

on our rates as this is what we 

believe our clients want. 

We have refurbished many of 

the halls in the exhibitions area. 

Hall Three has undergone a 

complete refurbishment to include 

a coloured lighting system, while 

Hall Six has had an upgrade of 

walls and floor and lighting 

system. We have ongoing plans to 

upgrade Hall One and also 

continued on page 72

® COMPANY PROFILE: Chartered Accountants House 

Chartered Accountants House 

The perfect city centre location for your next corporate event 

Chartered Accountants Ireland is the 

largest accountancy body in Ireland, 

with 26,000 members and students. 

It is the leading voice for the accountancy 

profession in Ireland. 

The facilities at the Institute’s new 

Training Centre and Headquarters at Pearse 

Street, Dublin, are available for hire to the 

wider business community. With its city 

centre location, impressive capacity and 

cutting-edge technology, Chartered 

Accountants House has become the location 

of choice for conferences, training away 

days and seminars in Dublin. 

Our 25 separate meeting and training 

rooms provide an ideal space for any event, 

no matter what the capacity or technical 

requirements. Some of our smaller meeting 

rooms are ideal for training away days, 

while our lecture theatres are the perfect 

fit for conferences. 

Large Capacity 

One of the most remarkable aspects of 

Chartered Accountants House is the sheer 

size of numbers it can accommodate, taking 

1,300 people comfortably. On our Lecture 

Theatre floor below reception, four tiered 

lecture halls can be used individually or 

opened out into a single convention space 

capable of accommodating up to 600 

people. Other rooms follow a modular 

design that can seat 700 delegates. 

Cutting-Edge Technology 

Our lecture theatres are all equipped with 

web streaming facilities so that events and 

presentations can be delivered straight to 

desktops via the internet. A dedicated 

business centre offers faxing and 

photocopying services, newspapers, wireless 

connectivity and secretarial services. 

Arrange A Visit 

The best way to appreciate the outstanding 

facilities available here is to see them in 

person. Our Conferencing Team would be 

pleased to discuss your requirements with 

you or arrange a visit. 

For more information on our facilities, please contact the Conferencing Team at 

conferencing@charteredaccountants.ie or visit www.charteredaccountantshouse.ie 

71

Simmonscourt. The Concert Hall 

has also undergone a complete 

refurbishment, with new seating, 

toilets and modern AV equipment. 

Dee McCabe 

Buswells Hotel 

We experienced steady demand 

for our conference and meeting 

facilities during 2011 and the 

initial signs are that 2012 will be a 

good year. We have had to 

become more flexible with our 

rates over the past few years. Our 

first priority is customer service 

and building relationships with our 

customers so Buswells will always 

be their first choice when choosing 

a hotel in the city centre. 

We are currently undertaking a 

complete refurbishment of three of 

our main conference rooms: the 

Georgian Suite, the Boardroom 

and the Press Room. The revamp is 

due to be completed by the end of 

January. Our new rooms will offer 

our clients elegant surroundings 

finished to the highest standards, 

state-of-the-art technology and 

specialised lighting. 

Claira Barbour 

Glenroyal Hotel 

We experienced high demand for 

our meeting and conference 

facilities in 2011 and we are 

expecting a little more this year. 

With demand being so strong, this 

has enabled us to retain our prices 

over the past few years. The 

priorities for event bookers are 

location, facilities, wireless 

internet, ample car parking, AV 



support and options such as 

break-out rooms. 

At Glenroyal, we realise the 

importance of maintaining and 

improving our product offering. 

We have redecorated and kept our 

facilities up-to-date and 

introduced a corporate menu. Our 

conference office is on hand 

throughout an event and a 

business centre too. 

Denise Corboy 

Camden Court Hotel 

Our conference and meeting 

activity was very strong 

throughout 2011. Our regular 

clients remained loyal and we 

also won some great new 

business. The market remains 

extremely competitive as 

conference organisers strive to 

get excellent value for money. 

But price is not always the 

driving factor. Customers still 

realise that good service and 

delivery of the client’s 

expectations is worth paying for. 

Customers like to feel 

confident in the venue that they 

have chosen and expect 

professionalism and continuity of 

service at every level. We spend 

time with our clients 

understanding their needs and it 

is essential to build a strong 

client relationship, which in many 

cases can lead to repeat business 

and not just a once-off booking. 

We have completed a 

refurbishment programme for 100 

bedrooms. This will enhance our 

overall guest experience and help 


Denise Corboy, 


us to compete and win additional 

residential conference business. In 

general, the lead-in time for 

bookings has become much 

shorter but so far 2012 has started 

well with very good business on 

the books. 

Sarah McCrory 

Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane 

Over the past 12 months we have 

continued to experience some 

seasonal fluctuations, but overall 

business was steady. Looking 

ahead, we expect an improvement 

in 2012. We have not increased our 

prices and continue to add value 

for our customers. We remain 

flexible on pricing and where 

possible we will tailor our 

packages to meet a client’s budget. 

My advice to anyone 

organising an event would be to 

plan well in advance. Natural 

� Located in the heart of the city centre, Buswells is the ideal 

location to host the perfect meeting or event 

� 7 dedicated meeting rooms, including 2 new executive boardrooms 

with state-of-the-art equipment and fully air-conditioned 

� 67 classic and elegant bedrooms 

� Meeting rooms from as little as €58 

daylight and WiFi are a must and 

do not underestimate the number 

of coffee breaks your colleagues 

might need. 

Paula Cogan 

The River Lee Hotel 

Our meetings business demand in 

2011 was 15% higher than 2010 

and we are hopeful that 2012 will 

be the same. Cork has a number 

of key industry segments that are 

doing well including IT, biotech 

and the food industry, which are 

all generating demand for 

meeting facilities. 

In terms of price, we are 

negotiating when required but we 

are particularly conscious that we 

maintain the standards of service 

and, of course, the infrastructure 

of our meeting rooms product. 

We will continue to offer great 

value but, more importantly, 

maintain the high standards 

expected by our clients. Our 

meeting rooms offer great value, 

as LCD projectors and screens 

and an array of other AV 

equipment are included, as are 

flipcharts and free car parking. 

We have upgraded our 24-hour 

business centre with new 

computers, and have introduced a 

‘print me’ system that allows our 

guests to print from their 

bedroom to the business centre. 

Our WiFi system throughout the 

hotel has also been upgraded. 

Location is always key for an 

event but a dedicated events and 

concierge team is also very important 

to our clients. The majority 

Buswells Hotel, 

Molesworth Street, 

Dublin 2 

Contact: Dee McCabe Tel: 01 614 6500 Fax: 01 676 2090 Email: mccabed@quinn-hotels.com Web: 

www.buswells.ie

Paula Cogan, 

The River Lee Hotel 

will have requirements for a 

plenary session, a selection of 

breakout rooms as well as 


registration area, etc, so having 

someone on hand to assist is 

crucial. 

Kate Kavanagh 

Seafield Hotel & Golf Spa 

Our meetings business has been 

very good over the past 12 

months and we increased our 

corporate business by over 300% 

in 2011. The hotel only opened 

five years ago so we’re very 

encouraged by how business is 

going. About 95% of business 

clients who booked with us in 

2011 have rebooked for this year. 

The biggest thing we noticed last 

year was lead-in times for 

bookings were very short. 

We’ll shortly be hosting the 

Association of Garda Sergeants 

and Inspectors annual conference, 

which is 250 people across three 

Our Conference Centre 

has all the right connections 

for a successful meeting 

�� 9,000 Square foot 

of meeting space 

�� Complimentary WIFI 

in all meeting rooms 

�� 7 breakout meeting rooms 

�� Exhibition space on-site 

�� Complimentary shuttle 

to /from Dublin Airport. 

�� 10 minutes from 

the M50 at Junction 3 

�� 200 complimentary 

car park spaces 

WELCOME 

Boyne Suite 

Rath Ballroom 

The Rath,Ashbourne,Co.Meath,Tel:01 8356800, 

Fax:01 835 6801,Email:ciara.conlan@marriottashbourne.com 

www.marriottashbourne.com 

days. Having the golf and spa 

onsite is a big pull for us in 

attracting corporate business. We 

won the European Residential Spa 

of the Year award at the 

Professional Beauty Awards 2011. 

That’s been good for business, as 

it makes people want to visit us. It 

also helps us sell the hotel to 

corporate customers. 

Shane O’Connor 

Savoy Hotel Limerick 

At the Savoy we specialise in the 

more boutique-style meeting or 

conference. Fortunately there was 

very strong demand for smaller 

and mid-sized meeting spaces in 

2011 and there are strong 

indicators that this trend will 

continue with robust booking 

patterns already apparent 

for 2012. 

We have tried to provide 

extremely good value compared to 

three years ago with meeting room 

hire heavily discounted. We also try 

to add value as much as possible 

with free WiFi, full office facilities, 

and complimentary exclusive 

lounges and break-out areas. 

Bookers look for a promise of 

exceptional delivery so that they 

and their delegates have a 

successful and productive out-ofoffice 

experience. Value is also very 

important to encourage meetings 

to come off-site. My advice to 

bookers would be to plan as far 

ahead as possible. They should 

work closely with the conferencing 

team, who have many years of 

experience organising, assisting 

and executing successful corporate 

events. 


73

Monica O’Byrne 

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel 

The demand seems to be 

improving but although volumes 

are good it’s still tough in terms of 

revenue. Business from the US 

seems to be coming back and the 

UK is also a lot stronger. But it’s 

still not as good as it was 

previously. The value in the market 

now is incredible though nobody 

wins in a race-to-the-bottom 

scenario. We’re focused on 

giving really good value for 

money, but without cutting on the 

quality of service. 

We’ve recently refurbished a lot 

of our rooms and our fitness 

centre and we’ll soon begin a 

revamp of our lobby too. Bookers 

like meeting rooms with natural 

daylight and a comprehensive 

AV equipment offering. It’s crucial 

to offer an excellent back-up 

74 


service should the event 

organisers need to change their 

schedule during the day or require 

more flipcharts or even to fix 

technical issues. 

Mary Ann O’Shea 

McCabe 

Sweeney Hotel Group 

Demand for our conference and 

meetings facilities was average in 

2011 and we would hope to see an 

improvement in 2012. Prices have 

come down in the sector over the 

past few years. The result is that 

the customer is getting very good 

value for money. The positive 

impact that the choice of right 

venue has on the event cannot be 

underestimated. 

Our Westwood Hotel is situated 

1.5 miles from Galway city centre 

and on the doorstep of both NUIG 

and UCHG, making us a popular 

Conferences 

....> 

....> 

....> 

....> 

....> 

Excellent Location in IFSC 

Modern, distinctive building 

Diverse selection of rooms - multi format 

space 

300 delegate capacity 

Ample parking on site 

....> 

....> 

....> 

....> 

....> 

Monica O’Byrne, 

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel 

choice for local, national and 

international events. Our meeting 

and conference facilities are 

available for between 2–350 

persons. These include our intimate 

boardroom and the Richard Martin 

Suite, which is equipped with a full 

range of AV equipment. 

Meetings, Events and Training 

Léonie Thornton 

Dunboyne Castle Hotel 

The demand for smaller meeting 

rooms had a very short lead-in time 

during 2011 so forecasting business 

was difficult. Larger conferences 

were less frequent than in previous 

years. Demand for 2012 is already 

much higher than this time last 

year, with the number of enquiries 

we have received up considerably. 

The price of meeting rooms and 

overall refreshment prices are much 

lower than three years ago. These 

days, the price of room hire really 

depends on the entire event and is 

quoted on request. When it comes 

to choosing a facility, important 

factors for event organisers are 

location and access to main roads, 

ports and airports. The reputation 

of the hotel is also important and, 

of course, the facilities on offer. 

Easily accessed by bus, train, DART or Luas 

Full catering facilities 

Superior campus accommodation June - Sept 

State of the art AV & IT facilities 

Very competitive rates 

National College of Ireland, Mayor St, IFSC, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 4498 703 Web: www.ncirl.ie 

continued on page 76

Croke Park Conference Centre 

An ExceptionalVenue Experience 

Croke Park is home to legends, champions and heroes. When it comes to making a statement 

and stirring the soul, no other venue in Ireland comes close. The facilities are world class. 

The conference team is vastly experienced. And with 87 meeting rooms and eight 

conference suites, this flexible venue can accommodate events of any size. 

The Croke Park Conference Centre was the 

winner of the Best Conference Events 

Venue at the 2011 Event Industry 

Awards. Home of the GAA and ideally located 

close to the city centre, the Croke Park 

Conference Centre offers impressive facilities, 

4-star accommodation at The Croke Park 

Hotel, and plenty of free car parking. With just 

shy of a hundred separate meeting, 

conference and function rooms with adjoining 

foyer areas for exhibition space, drinks 

receptions and coffee breaks, the venue has a 

suite to suit, no matter what the event. 

Events 

From events to incentives, banquets to board 

meetings, conferences to conventions, 

destination Croke Park provides an 

exceptional venue experience with leading 

technology and support services. Enjoy coffee 

breaks overlooking the iconic stadium; drinks 

receptions in the GAA Museum; pitch-side 

photo opportunities; or party in the Players’ 

Lounge. Take time out for a stadium tour to 

get behind the scenes at Croke Park or take a 

trip to the top with roof-top tours launching 

in 2012! 

Facilities 

The venue offers over 5,000 sqm of exhibition 

space with meeting rooms catering for up to 

80 delegates theatre style and conference 

suites for up to 800 theatre style. 

Services 

Conference suites are all equipped with full 

audio-visual facilities and video conferencing 

is available on request. A dedicated business 

centre offers faxing and photocopying 

services, free WiFi and secretarial services. 

Sustainable Venue 

Croke Park is a fully sustainable venue and was 

the first to gain BS8901 certification for 

sustainable event management. 

Arrange A Visit 

The best way to appreciate the outstanding 

facilities available at Croke Park is to see 

them first hand. The Events Team would be 

delighted to discuss your requirements and 

arrange a site visit. 

CONTACT DETAILS 

TEL: (01) 819 2300 

Email: events@crokepark.ie 

www.crokepark.ie/conference-centre

Once you have decided to hold an 

event, the first two steps are perhaps 

your most important: pick your date 

and then select a suitable venue that 

will meet your requirements and suit your 

budget. But the decisions do not stop 

there, – a whole host of other factors are 

worth taking into consideration. 

lThe location of the event is fundamental 

to its success, so spend some time 

ensuring that you have the right venue. 

An inspection of prospective venues 

should always be carried out prior to 

selecting a facility. If you can't manage 

that, ask for the names of recent clients 

who you can call to find out how their 

event went. 

lShow up early for your scheduled 

inspection and try to interact with staff as 

if you were a guest. Ask them questions 

for directions and about local restaurants 

and transport links etc. During the official 

inspection, assess how well-equipped the 

place is to meet your needs. You should 

look out for cleanliness, how friendly the 

staff are, how well organised the place is 

and how easy it is to find using the 

directions on the website. 

lUse a checklist to keep a step-by-step 

note of how the planning of the event is 

progressing. Make sure it is updated 

frequently and accurately. 

lIf your chosen venue has a hotel 

attached, you could try and negotiate a 

rate for delegates to stay over before or 

after your event. If you're booking lots of 

rooms, it's also worth asking whether the 

venue will provide you with a 

complimentary guest or hospitality room 

based on the total number of rooms you 

book. 

lThink about the look, feel and 

atmosphere you want to create and keep 

in mind the type of person you want to 

attract. The type of clientele you are 

bringing could give you additional 

bargaining power, i.e. 100 decision 

makers who you will be bringing to the 

venue. 



Planning Your Event 

Organising a meeting or conference but not sure where to start? 

This handy checklist should set you off on the correct path 

lThe food and drink at any event is 

important. Consider the type of food that 

will be offered and also how you will serve 

it. Will it be a sit-down meal, a buffet, 

finger food or even snack food? Think 

too about the beverages that will be made 

available. And whatever you decide, make 

sure that plenty of food and drink is 

offered. 

lSeek to work with only one person as 

your contact for the duration of your 

planning through to the event itself. Be 

sure to keep detailed notes any time you 

have a discussion with the venue. 

lIron out the minor details with the 

venue prior to entering into any contract. 

Pin down hotel check-in and check-out 

times and whether they can accommodate 

early arrivals. Try to ensure some 

flexibility on their part in terms of room 

availability etc. 

lAgree set billing procedures with the 

hotel and ensure the venue has a written 

list of those person permitted to make 

charges to the master account. Find out 

how you will be able to pay (cheque or 

credit card) and when they will need full 

payment by. Do they require a deposit, 

and if so how much? Can they bill you 

after the event? 

lMake provisions for the possibility that 

you attract a greater attendance than 

anticipated. Check whether your venue 

has overflow space and is able to provide 

extra furniture/equipment if required at 

short notice. 

lEnsure ample breakout space. 

Depending on the time of year, you may 

wish to ensure outdoor breakout areas. 

lIf entertainment and/or speakers will be 

part of your event, they should be booked 

well in advance. Ensure any speakers are 

well-versed on what is expected of them 

in terms of their contribution to the 

event. 

lFor larger events with a guest speaker, 

ensure the room is full at the front – 

empty tables and seats reflect poorly on 

your event. Perhaps leave ‘reserved’ 

notices on the back tables, removing them 

once the room has began to fill. 

lOne aspect of event organisation that is 

often overlooked is a proper post-event 

evaluation to determine whether the main 

objectives have been achieved. Feedback 

from guests and participants is often a good 

indicator. This can be done through an 

evaluation form (possibly anonymous) given 

out at the event or emailed shortly after. 

lOnce the event is over, sit down with 

any fellow organisers and reflect on all 

stages of the event's preparation and 

delivery. Identify the areas that worked 

well and those that could be improved for 

future events. 

Survey continued on page 78

Aviva Stadium 

Lansdowne Road, D4 

01 238 2388 

www.avivastadiumevents.com 

Contact: Rachel Coffey 

Meeting Rooms: 50 

Best Western 

Sheldon Park Hotel 

Kylemore Road, D12 

01 460 1055 

Contact: John Quinn 


Bewley's Hotel, 

Ballsbridge 

Merrion Road, D4 

01 668 1111 

www.bewleyshotels.com 

Contact: Barbara Dunne 



Dublin Airport 

Swords, Co Dublin 

01 871 1000 

Contact: Caroline Miller 




Dublin Area Meeting Rooms 


Leopardstown 

Central Park, D18 

01 293 5000 

Contact: Helen Ryan 



Newland's Cross 

Naas Road, D22 

01 412 3301 

www.bewleyshotels.com 

Contact: Rose Noonan 


Bracken Court 

Hotel 

Balbriggan, Co Dublin 

01 841 3333 

Contact: Jean Bermingham 


Brooks Hotel 

Drury Street, D2 

01 670 4000 

www.brookshotel.ie 

Contact: Claire Fitzpatrick 


The Liffey Theatre at Convention Centre Dublin 

Fully air-conditioned throughout, the 

four-star Brooks Hotel is situated just 

off Grafton Street and features a 

range of meeting rooms that can be 

set up to meet the needs of the 

conference organiser. 

The Burlington Hotel 

Upr Leeson Street, D4 

01 618 5600 

www.burlingtonhotel.ie 

Contact: Vicky Pratt 


Parking: Yes 

The Burlington has a dedicated 

business floor with 18 naturally 

lit designated meeting rooms, 

supported by a business centre. 

Day meetings are priced from 

€45 per person. The hotel’s 

conference facilities can cater 

for up to 1,500 delegates. 


Molesworth Street, D2 

01 614 6500 

www.buswells.ie 

Contact: Dee McCabe 


Parking: No 

Buswells' Georgian Suite 

accommodates up to 75 people 

and three smaller rooms cater for 

groups of 10 to 30 people. There 

are two Executive Boardrooms that 

facilitate up to 18 delegates. 


Camden Street, D2 

01 475 9666 

www.camdencourthotel.com 

Contact: Ashley Reddin 


Parking: Yes 

Rooms are equipped to 

accommodate small and large 

events for up to 250 delegates. 

There is a dedicated reception area 

and natural daylight in all rooms, 

free WiFi and three separate 

dining areas. 

Carlton Hotel 

Blanchardstown 

Church Road, Tyrrelstown, D15. 

01 827 5600 

www.carltonhotelblanchardstown.com 

Contact: Julie Foster-Kidd 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has eight meeting rooms 

within a self-contained area with 

breakout facilities, business centre 

and the hotel’s Unwind cafe. The 

Greenwich Suite can handle 

gatherings of up to 450 people. 

Carlton Hotel 


Old Airport Road, Co Dublin 

01 866 7500 

www.carltondublinairport.com 

Contact: Karina Intencion 


Parking: Yes 

The most popular conference room, 

the Collinstown Suite, can accommodate 

up to 450 delegates for a 

large conference or can be divided 

into two separate suites for smaller 

meetings. The hotel’s 17 Syndicate 

Rooms cater for smaller business 

meetings or training sessions. 

Carton House Hotel 

Maynooth, Co Kildare 

01 505 2000 

Contact: Fiona Mullen 


Central Hotel 

Exchequer Street, D2 

01 679 7302 

Contact: Isabelle Boyle 


Chartered 

Accountants House 

47-49 Pearse Street, D2 

01 637 7200 

www.charteredaccountantshouse.ie 

Contact: Dawn Leane 


Parking: No

Four tiered lecture halls can be used 

individually or opened out into a 

single unit that can accommodate 600 

people. Separately, two other floors of 

seminar rooms can accommodate 

another 700 delegates. There is a 

dedicated business centre and on-site 

restaurant. Private dining groups, 

buffets and corporate receptions are 

010 13:31 also catered Page for. 1 

City North Hotel 

Gormanstown, Co Meath 

01 690 6666 

www.citynorthhotel.com 

Contact: Marianne Fanning 


Parking: Yes 

There are two large-scale suites which 

combine to accommodate up to 650 

delegates in a theatre setting. The 

Somerville area also includes 

dedicated facilities such as a private 

bar, lounge and cloakroom. There are 

12 other meeting rooms offering 

facilities from 2 people to 150. All 

meeting rooms have external 

windows and no columns. 


One of City North Hotel’s 14 meeting rooms 

Clarence Hotel 

Wellington Quay, D2 

01 407 0800 

Contact: Francois Tesson 


Clarion Hotel 


Dublin Airport, Co Dublin 

01 808 0500 

www.clarionhoteldublinairport.com 

Contact: Linda Eakin 


Parking: Yes 

The Camden Court Hotel offers the following services 

• 246 en-suite bedrooms, tastefully designed 

• 12 state-of-the-art Conference Rooms all with natural daylight 

• Can cater for up to 250 people Theatre Style 

• Complimentary Wifi to all conference delegates (throughout the hotel) 

• Dedicated conference team 

• C Central, modern & contemporary bar 

• Our luxurious and stylish Iveagh restaurant 

• Complimentary car parking (subject to availability) 

• Fully equipped Leisure Centre including a 16 metre pool 

Clontarf Castle Hotel 

Castle Avenue, D3 

01 833 2321 

www.clontarfcastle.ie 

Contact: Jennifer McNulty 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel’s eight meeting rooms can 

facilitate up to 600 delegates. The 

three Viking rooms can handle up to 

140 people, or around 50 delegates in 

each. The self-contained Dalcassion 

and Norman suites can accommodate 

meetings for up to 40 people. 

Conrad Dublin 

Creating New Standards of Excellence 

ROGANSTOWN HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB 

Roganstown, Swords, Co Dublin. 

Telephone: 01 843 3118 

Email: info@roganstown.com 

Fax: 01 843 3303. Website: www.roganstown.com 

Earlsfort Terrace, D2 

01 602 8934 

Contact: Karen Hoff 


Convention Centre 

Dublin 

Spencer Dock, D1 

01 856 0000 

www.ccd.ie 

Contact: Marie Lawlor 


Parking: Yes 

The Convention Centre Dublin has 22 

purpose-built meeting rooms, including 

the 2,000-seat Auditorium with full 

theatrical stage and fly tower. The 

centre also has 4,500 square metres of 

exhibition space, while 3,000 delegates 

can be catered for in the Forum, and 

banqueting facilities are available for 

up to 2,000 guests. For smaller events, 

the centre has a range of intimate 

boardrooms, large and small halls and 

meeting rooms. Six foyer areas are 

available for breakout. WiFi is available 

throughout the building. 

� Beautiful countryside location only 

5 minutes from Dublin Airport � 

� State of the art conference facilities � 

� Dedicated professional 

conference team � 

� Capacity for 300 delegates � 

� Dedicated boardrooms for 

smaller meetings � 

� Christy O’Connor Jnr 

Championship Golf Course � 

� Roganstown Leisure Club � 

� Sakura Spa � 

79

Croke Park 

Conference Centre 

Jones’s Road, D3 

01 819 2300 

www.crokepark.ie 

Contact: Linda McCoy 


Parking: Yes 

Winner of the Best Conference 

Events Venue award at the Event 

Industry Awards 2011, Croke Park 

has 87 meeting rooms and eight 

conference suites. All conference 

rooms have natural daylight with 

automatic blackout facilities, 

including remote-controlled lighting, 

audio-visual technology and WiFi. 

All meeting and syndicate rooms 

overlook the pitch and suit training 

courses, board meetings, conference 

breakout rooms, seminars, press 

conferences or team briefings. 

The stadium is the first in the world 

to receive the BS 8901 certification in 

sustainable event management. With 

an impressive modern exterior, the 

carbon-neutral venue also offers free 

parking for over 600 cars. 

80 


Croke Park Hotel 

Jones's Road, D3 

01 871 4444 

www.doylecollection.com 

Contact: Sinead Gaffney 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has three large meeting 

rooms that can host 50 people theatrestyle 

or 20 in classroom format. There 

are also four boardrooms for meetings 

of up to eight people. 

Crowne Plaza 

Northwood 

Northwood Park, D9 

01 862 8888 

www.cpireland.crowneplaza.com 

Contact: Judith Graham 


Parking: Yes 

The Redwood Suite seats up to 850 

people theatre style. An additional 11 

ground floor meeting rooms and 11 

first floor meeting rooms are available 

for meetings from 2 to 100 people. 

Croke Park Conference Centre was named best 

conference venue at the 2011 Event Industry Awards 

Crowne Plaza 

Blanchardstown 

Blanchardstown Centre, D15 

01 897 7777 

www.cpireland.crowneplaza.com 

Contact: Laura Pulling 


Parking: Yes 

This hotel's Conference Centre has 14 

fully equipped business meeting 

rooms and a large conference room. 

D4 Hotels 

Ballsbridge, D4 

01 437 3444 

Contact: Lisa Courtney 


Dublin Castle 

Dublin Castle, D2 

01 645 8800 

Contact: Angela Cassidy 


Dunboyne Castle 

Hotel 

Dunboyne, Co Meath 

01 801 3500 

www.dunboynecastlehotel.com 

Contact: Sinead Codd 


The Tara Suite is the principal function 

room and it can be divided into two 

rooms. The versatile Hamilton Suite is 

split over two levels and suits a 

conference, banqueting, product 

launch or exhibition venue. In the 

venue’s original house there are five 

meeting rooms with ornate ceilings, 

original floorboards and views of the 

manicured lawns. Three other meeting 

rooms in the new building are 

contemporary, and the Cedar Suite 

can accommodate 10-50 people. 

Dylan Hotel 

Eastmoreland Place, D4 

01 660 3000 

Contact: Fiona O’Brien 


Finnstown Country 

House Hotel 

Lucan, Co Dublin 

01 601 0700 

Contact: Edwina King 


Fitzpatrick Castle 

Hotel 

Killiney, Co Dublin 

01 230 5400 

www.fitzpatrickcastle.com 

Contact: Emer Relihan 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has nine meeting rooms 

catering for up to 600 delegates. 

Each room has natural daylight 

and air conditioning as well as a 

built-in screen. Meeting rooms 

can accommodate up to 100 

theatre style. 

Survey continued on page 82

Designed 

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The Four Seasons’ main Ballroom is a spectacular 

setting for corporate events 

Fitzwilliam Hotel 

St Stephen's Green, D2 

01 478 7000 

Contact: Lisa Sinclair 



Simmonscourt Road, D4 

01 665 4676 

www.fourseasons.com/dublin 

Contact: Lucius Farrell 


Parking: Yes 

The Four Seasons’ three Hibernia 

meeting rooms cater from groups of 

20 to 50, depending on configuration. 

These open to a covered colonnade 

and landscaped courtyard for openair 

breaks. Each room comes with 

built-in projection screen, cork boards 

and whiteboards with erasers. The 

hotel also has a luxurious boardroom 

that seats up to 16. Larger events are 

facilitated in the Junior Ballroom, 

which can accommodate up to 140 

people in classroom style. The main 

Ballroom is a spectacular setting for 

social occasions and is fully equipped 

for audiovisual productions. 

Gibson Hotel 

Point Village, D1 

01 681 5000 

Contact: Stephanie Hughes 




Glenroyal Hotel & 

Leisure Club 

Glenroyal Centre, Maynooth 

01 629 0909 

www.glenroyalhotelkildare.com 

Contact: Kate Voice 


Parking: Yes 

The Glenroyal has two ground-floor 

meeting room areas. Altogether there 

are 12 meeting rooms, including two 

ballrooms that can be sub-divided as 

required. With three inter-connecting 

rooms, the flexible Connaught Suite 

suits medium to large conferences 

and meetings, training sessions, 

AGMs and special events. 

Grand Canal Hotel 

Canal Street, D4 

01 646 1000 

Contact: Sarah Keating 


Gresham Hotel 

Upr O'Connell Street, D1 

01 874 6881 

Contact: Michelle Costello 


Guinness Storehouse 

St James's Gate, D8 

01 408 4800 

Contact: Helen McManus 


Herbert Park Hotel 


01 667 2200 

Contact: Sorcha Moore 


Hilton Dublin 

Charlemont Place, D2 

01 402 9988 

Contact: Natasha Sevrugina 


Hilton Dublin 

Kilmainham 

Inchicore Road, D8 

01 420 1812 

www.hiltondublinkilmainham.com 

Contact: Neelie Murray 


Parking: Yes 

Amenities such as WiFi, discounted 

car parking, flipchart, projector and 

screen are all included in meeting 

room hire. 

Hilton Hotel, 


Malahide Road, D17 

01 866 1800 

Contact: Anne-Marie Burns 


IMI Conference 

Centre 

Sandyford Road, D16 

01 207 8411 

Contact: Aoife Kinnarney 


Jurys Inn, 

Custom House 

Custom House Quay, D1 

01 854 1500 

Contact: Margaret Mooney 


Jurys Inn, 

Parnell St 

Parnell Street, D1 

01 878 4900 

Contact: Margaret Mooney 

Maldron Hotel 

Cardiff Lane 

Cardiff Lane, D2 

01 643 9500 

www.maldronhotels.com/ 

hotel-cardiff-lane 

Contact: Sharon O'Connor 


Parking: Yes 

The Maldron’s Miranda Guinness 

Suite accommodates between 20 

(U-shape) and 50 (theatre) people. 

Four boardrooms facilitate groups 

of between 8 and 20 people 

depending on configuration. 

Maldron Hotel, 

Citywest 

Naas Road, D22 

01 461 9900 

Contact: Laura Hallissey 


Maldron Hotel, 

Parnell Square 

Parnell Square West, D1 

01 871 6888 

Contact: Slavia Serrano 


Mansion House 

Mansion House, D2 

01 676 7200 

Contact: Niamh Haughey 


Marino Conference 

Centre 

Griffith Avenue, D9 

01 805 7760 

www.mieconferencing.com 

Contact: Ciaran Fogarty 


Parking: Limited 

There are 30 conference and 

banqueting rooms, of which 15 are 

available during the academic year. 

Room set-ups are flexible and can be 

tailored to any event. Some rooms 

have superb built-in features, 

including PCs, DVD players, screens 

and projectors. There is onsite 

catering and a coffee shop and an 

unusual feature is 39 ‘Study 

Bedrooms’ available from the 

Conference Centre for conference 

delegates.

Marriott Ashbourne 

Ashbourne, Co Meath 

01 835 0800 

www.marriottashbourne.com 

Contact: Ciara Conlan 


Parking: Yes 

The Rath Ballroom, the main conference 

suite, seats 540 people theatre style or 

280 classroom style and can be subdivided 

into three suites. Other suites 

can cater for up to 85 people. The hotel 

also has a 16-person boardroom. 

Merrion Hotel 

Upr Merrion Street, D2 

01 603 0600 

Contact: Jana Hladikova 


Mespil Hotel 

Mespil Road, D4 

01 488 4600 

Contact: Janet Moore 


Morrison Hotel 

Lr Ormond Quay, D1 

01 887 2400 

Contact: James Byrne 


National College 

of Ireland 

Mayor Street, D1 

01 449 8703 

www.ncirl.ie 

Contact: Catherine Gilmartin 


Parking: No 


The college’s modern, purpose-built 

rooms include a spacious and airy 

atrium area for receptions and dining, 

flooded with natural light. The multifunctional 

Kelly Theatre lends itself to 

everything from conferences to 

banqueting thanks to retractable 

seating. The college also offers 

several tiered lecture theatres for 

conferences and presentations, and a 

number of cutting-edge computer 

labs and teaching rooms. There are 

also smaller executive suites and 

corporate boardrooms. 

Pearse Hotel 

Pearse Street, D2 

01 677 0340 

Contact: Lauren Bekir 


Plaza Hotel 

Belgard Road, D24 

01 462 4200 

Contact: Mary Stillman 


Portmarnock Hotel 

Strand Road, Co Dublin 

01 846 0611 

www.portmarnock.com 

Contact: Alison Eivers 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel’s Conference and Banqueting 

Centre has three suites. The largest 

Moyne Suite can cater for a 350-person 

reception or 150 people in a classroom 

configuration. In the historic Jameson 

House, there are four suites that cater 

for gatherings of 6 to 22 people. 

The Sky Suite at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel offers 

spectacular views of the Dublin skyline 

Premier Inn 



01 895 7777 

Contact: Cynthia Paurniete 


Radisson Blu Dublin 

Airport 

01 844 6000 

www.radissonblu.ie 

Contact: Estefana Garcia 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel’s 27 conference rooms cater 

for an intimate meeting for 10 in the 

opulent Parknasilla boardroom to a 

large banquet for 450 guests in the 

Killarney Suite. The hotel offers an 

extensive range of refreshment and 

menu options for delegates. 

Radisson Blu 

Royal Hotel 

Golden Lane, D8 

01 898 2900 


Contact: Michelle O'Reilly 


Parking: Yes 

There are six contemporary 

meeting rooms, two boardrooms, 

one video-conferencing suite, three 

corporate syndicate rooms and an 

elegant ballroom. The main 

ballroom, Goldsmiths Hall, can be 

divided into three rooms and can 

accommodate up to 400 delegates. 

The meeting lounge area includes the 

Sky Suite, which boasts spectacular 

views of Dublin’s city centre. 

Survey continued on page 84 

83

Radisson Blu 

St Helen’s Hotel 

Stillorgan Road, D4 

01 218 6000 


Contact: Rebecca Whitehead 


Parking: Yes 

There is natural daylight in the 11 

meeting rooms, which are spread over 

735 square metres. The Seamount Suite 

and balcony can host a reception for 

70 or dinner for 50. Dedicated 

boardrooms and versatile meeting 

rooms create appropriate settings for 

groups as large as 350. The concourse 

area, with full-service bar, suits opening 

receptions, registration and coffee 

breaks. Le Panto, an exquisite private 

dining room, is available for events and 

private parties. 

The Regency Hotel 

Whitehall, D9 

01 837 3544 

www.regencyconferencecentre.com 

Contact: Carol McKenna 


Parking: Yes 

The Regency’s newly extended 

conference centre can accommodate up 

to 700 guests in a gala-style and 900 in 

a theatre-style set-up. Large conferences 

can also be sub-divided into 

smaller meeting rooms. AV equipment, 

PA, microphones, air con and WiFi are 

integrated into each conference or 

meeting room. The largest Ulster Room 

accommodates 235 delegates theatre 

style or 95 in a classroom setup. The 

Regency also offers extensive dining 

and banqueting options. 

Ritz Carlton 

Powerscourt 

84 

Enniskerry, Co Wicklow 

01 274 8888 

Contact: Breffne Costello 



The Ritz Carlton has six meeting 

rooms, a boardroom and ballroom 

that can be divided into three salons 

for conference purposes. There is a 

private entrance to the meeting and 

conference facilities. 

Roganstown Hotel 

& Country Club 


01 843 3118 

www.roganstown.com 

Contact: Andy Greenslade 


Roganstown’s Aungier Suite can host a 

maximum of 300 in theatre setup or 

160 in classroom setup. This suite can 

be divided in two for capacities of 40 to 

140, or into six for capacities of 20 (Ushape) 

to 45 (theatre). In addition, the 

hotel has three other meeting rooms. 

Royal Dublin Society 


01 668 0866 

www.rds.ie 

Contact: Eddie McCarron 


Parking: Yes 

In addition to its exhibition areas, the 

RDS has a wide variety of rooms for 

meetings, seminars and functions. The 

Merrion Room suits meetings, 

conferences, dinners or product 

launches and can accommodate 180 

for a reception. The Minerva Suite 

suits product launches, client 

receptions, seminars, training sessions 

and small exhibitions. The President’s 

Room can cater for up to 70 for a 

reception and 50 theatre style. 

Royal Marine Hotel 

Marine Rd, Dun Laoghaire 

01 230 0030 

www.royalmarine.ie 

Contact: Jessica Joyce 


Parking: Yes 

Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Tel: +353 1 801 3500 Fax: +353 1 436 6801 

Email: events@dunboynecastlehotel.com Web: www.dunboynecastlehotel.com 

An event on the RDS’s Concert Hall stage 

The Carlisle Conference Centre can seat 

up to 750 delegates and suits conferences, 

exhibitions, product launches, 

gala luncheons/dinners and charity 

events. The dedicated meeting rooms 

have high ceilings, natural daylight, 

air con and views over Dublin Bay. 

The Schoolhouse Hotel 

Northumberland Road, D4 

01 667 5014 

www.schoolhousehotel.com 

Contact: Jennifer McCarthy 


Parking: Yes 

Skylon Hotel 

Drumcondra Road, D9 

01 884 3900 

Contact: Deirdre McEniff 


Stillorgan Park Hotel 

Stillorgan Road, D18 

01 200 1800 

www.stillorganpark.com 

Contact: Ciara Masterson 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel offers facilities to cater for 

small meetings, 350 guests theatrestyle, 

a reception for 300 people or 

dinner for 250. The concourse area, 

which has a full-service bar, is designed 

for welcome receptions, registration 

and coffee breaks. The Belville and 

Shrewsbury rooms suit smaller 

banquets, training seminars or 

breakout meetings. 

Tara Towers Hotel 

Merrion Road, D4 

01 269 4666 

Contact: Patricia Thomas 


The Westbury Hotel 

Grafton Street, D2 

01 679 1122 

Contact: Kate Coffey 


The Westbury has seven boardrooms 

and the large Grafton Suite can 

accommodate up to 220 delegates 

theatre style or 46 in boardroom 

format. The hotel’s Business Centre is 

available around-the-clock to hotel 

guests and meeting room clients. 

The Westin Hotel 

Westmoreland Street, D2 

01 645 1000 

Contact: Brigitte Condon 


West County Hotel 

Chapelizod, D20 

01 626 4011 

Contact: Noreen Cleary 


Parking: Yes 


For the perfect meeting, choose the perfect setting...



Selected Meeting Rooms Outside Dublin 

Carlton Shearwater 

Hotel 

Marina Point, Ballinasloe 

090 963 0400 

www.shearwaterhotel.com 

Contact: Eveanna Ryan 


The hotel has eight syndicate rooms, 

11 meeting rooms and an executive 

boardroom. The exhibition space can 

cater for up to 1,250 delegates. 

Carlton Castletroy 

Park Hotel 

Dublin Road, Limerick 

061 335 566 

www.castletroy-park.com 

Contact: Nicola Fagan 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has seven syndicate 

rooms and two large 

conference rooms. 

Carlton Hotel Kinsale 

021 470 6000 

www.carltonkinsalehotel.com 

Contact: Anne-Marie Kelly 


Parking: Yes 

The Rathmore banqueting suite in the 

Carlton Hotel Kinsale can cater for up 

to 250 people and offers impressive 

views overlooking Oysterhaven Bay. 

Carlton Hotel Tralee 

066 719 9100 

www.carltonhoteltralee.com 

Contact: Orla Barrero 


Parking: Yes 

There are two executive boardrooms, 

four meeting rooms and a large 

function room. Each room has aircon 

and is decorated in muted tones and 

fitted with AV equipment. 

Charleville Park 

Hotel 

Charleville, Co Cork 

063 33700 

www.charlevilleparkhotel.com 

Contact: Joanna Kelleher 


Parking: Yes 

The seven meeting rooms are situated 

in a dedicated conference area. 

Access is provided to a fully equipped 

business centre and a refreshments 

area.The largest of the rooms can 

cater for 800 people theatre style, 

while the smaller rooms can 

accommodate up to 60. 

Cork International 

Airport Hotel 

021 454 9800 

www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com 

Contact: Phillip Kelly 


The eight meeting and training 

rooms can accommodate up to 

80 people and there is a conference 

room that holds up to 350 

delegates. Each room enjoys 

natural daylight. 

Crowne Plaza 

Dundalk 

042 939 4900 

www.carltonhoteltralee.com 

Contact: Aoife Dowling 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel’s dedicated meetings 

floor has executive boardrooms 

for 16 people or ballrooms for 

trade shows and concerts for 

up to 400. 

The Harbour Hotel 

New Dock Road, Galway 

091 894 804 

www.harbour.ie 

Contact: Anna Byrne 


Parking: Yes 

The K Club 

01 601 7200 

Straffan, Co. Kildare 

Web: www.kclub.ie 

Contact: Fiona Devane 


Parking: Yes 

Above: One of the meeting 

rooms at the K Club in Straffan 

Radisson Blu Athlone 

0906 442 600 


Contact: Denise Dunning 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has five meeting and 

conference suites overlooking the 

River Shannon and a ballroom that 

can be divided into three separate 

suites. 

Radisson Blu Cork 

021 429 7000 


Contact: Caroline McAdoo 


Parking: Yes 

The meeting rooms in this Victorianstyle 

building feature high ceilings 

and natural light. The hotel's ballroom 

can cater for up to 450 delegates and 

can be subdivided. 

Radisson Blu Cork 

Airport 

021 496 7360 


Contact: Clare Healy 


Parking: Yes

Radisson Blu Galway 

091 538 300 

www.radissonhotelgalway.com 

Contact: Emma Nevin 


Parking: Yes 

The largest conference and events 

hotel in Galway, the hotel can cater for 

up to 1,000 delegates. 

Radisson Blu Limerick 

061 326666 


Contact: Susanne O’Dwyer 


Parking: Yes 

Radisson Blu Sligo 

071 9140 008 


Contact: Denise Meenaghan 


Parking: Yes 

River Lee Cork Hotel 

021 425 2700 

www.doylecollection.com 


Contact: Mary O'Brien 


Parking: Yes 

There is a dedicated meeting floor with 

eight suites capable of accommodating 

110 delegates. All meeting rooms have 

natural daylight and riverside views. 

Savoy Hotel Limerick 

061 44 8700 

www.savoylimerick.com 

Contact: Deirdre Russell 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has 10 conference rooms 

located on the second floor. There is a 

dedicated reception desk, separate 

lobby area and private business 

centre. All rooms are air conditioned 

and have free WiFi. 

Seafield Golf & Spa 

Hotel 

Ballymoney, Co Wexford 

053 942 4000 

www.seafieldhotel.com 

Contact: Kate Kavanagh 


seafield 

GOLF & SPA HOTEL 

Left: The Peake Room at 

the River Lee Cork Hotel 

Seafield has two large conference 

suites. The Aine Suite can 

accommodate up to 400 delegates and 

the Tara Suite is designed for up to 90 

delegates and overlooks the golf 

course with an open air barbecue area. 

The hotel also has three well-equipped 

conference rooms on the first floor 

with outstanding views of the golf 

course and countryside, including a 

boardroom that sits 14 people. 

Westwood House 

Hotel 

Dangan, Galway 

091 521 442 

www.westwoodhousehotel.com 

Contact: David Kelly 


Parking: Yes 

The hotel has a variety of meeting 

and conference facilities, including an 

intimate boardroom with ample 

breakout space. The largest can host 

200 delegates classroom-style. 

WHERE WE MIND 

YOUR OWN BUSINESS 

WHEN YOU CHOOSE SEAFIELD AS YOUR CONFERENCE VENUE YOU ARE 

CHOOSING A DESTINATION - YOUR DELEGATES WILL LOVE OUR 

WORLD CLASS FACILITIES - CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE, AWARD 

WINNING SPA AND BEACHSIDE LOCATION. 

ALL JUST AN HOUR SOUTH OF DUBLIN ON THE N11. 

seafield golf & spa hotel 

ballymoney, gorey, co. wexfordt: 

0 53 94 24000 f: 0 53 94 24050 

e: reservations@seafieldhotel.com 

w: www.seafieldhotel.com 

87

Meeting Rooms - Business Plus Online

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