Doolin Inn: 10 Years & A Bit In The Making

In October 1986 at the entrepreneurial age of 9, Anthony turned the sod on what was then the Doolin Hostel, with his sister Tricia. Taking a sabbatical for a number of years, Anthony graduated at Shannon College of Hotel Management, explored the world, and developed his skills of hotel management in a number of international and Irish hotels, before returning home 10 years ago with his wife Deirdre and children Emily and Isabelle, to take over the family business of hosteling in Doolin.

Anthony turning the first sod in 1986 – view image gallery below for more historic photographs & the timeline of development

On their first night opening on March 3rd, 2012, with 3 backpackers, taking a grand total of €43.05, it’s been a continuous journey of improvements since, with the mantra of “improving a little every day”. Starting out, Deirdre and Anthony, with a little luck, a great opportunity, lots of reinvestment, and a lot of hard work revitalized the Doolin Hostel quickly into a top-class sustainable hostelling experience. By 2016 they took their next step and added 5000sq ft and converted the main hostel into the Doolin Inn, a modern country house. 

Doolin Hostel before the handover, 2011

For the next couple of years, the focus was on increasing the quality from budget accommodation to a high-quality experience, and by 2019 all rooms in both buildings were redeveloped and refurbished with a sustainable approach to the standard of a 4-star guesthouse/family-run boutique hotel. 

Redevelopment to the Doolin Inn

With the onset of Covid 19 in March 2020, they met the challenge head-on and opened a restaurant on-site with a focus on flavour and friendly service, showcasing the best of what the Burren has to offer, under the guidance of Chef Tomas Walsh from Ennis. Anthony’s was delighted to be recommended in Georgina Campbell’s Ireland Guide within its first year of opening and has retained its plaque for 2022.

Addition of Anthony’s Restaurant in July 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Going from strength to strength over the last 10 years, they have received many awards for their sustainable approach, customer service, and quality, and in 2021 the Doolin Inn was rated in the Top 10 Inns in Ireland by Tripadvisor. Starting as a team of two with seasonal hostels, the Doolin Inn now operates year-round with a team of 20, and with more projects and ambitions in the pipeline the Doolin Inn is looking to hire and increase the team to 40 persons this year, which to date is their proudest achievement, creating year-round meaningful jobs for the Burren region. 

2022 Recruitment Drive – Embrace #LifeInDoolin

“As our business has grown, our team has grown with us, and our success is very much intertwined with our team’s success and dedication. The challenge ahead in recruiting a larger team is a big one. Although recruitment has been very positive to date with half the new positions filled already in management, supervisors, and team members, we still have a few key positions to fill. Doolin Inn is a friendly and hopping spot, offering a year-round wage, employee benefits, recognition programs, and events such as affordable housing if required with discounted rent, staff meals, barista coffees, pensions, staff rates for local activities, training, development, and more. Hospitality isn’t for everyone but it’s the most sociable career you could ever have, interacting and looking after interesting personalities from around the globe.” 

Anthony, Deirdre, and the team are looking forward to the next 10 years and more. What’s in store for the Doolin Inn? No one fully knows, except it will “keep improving a little every day” doing what it does best; offering traditional hospitality and showcasing the best of ‘local’ with a modern twist, in the heart of Doolin.