BREAFFY HOUSE HOTEL
BEST IN IRELAND

By TOM KELLY

The luxurious Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar has been selected as the top Best Western Hotel in Ireland for 1996.

The 62-bedroomed former country house was chosen out of the 33 Best Western Hotels in the country, North and South.

Breaffy House came in tenth in the prestigious awards scheme in 1995 and was placed 13th the previous year.

Mr. Joe Melody, general manager, Breaffy House Hotel is pictured above by Frank Dolan receiving the 1996 Best Quality Award from Ladonna McCatron, marketing manager, Best Western Hotels.

The accolade was bestowed on Breaffy House Hotel after rigorous inspection and quality assessment by Best Western Hotels International.

The inspection was carried out by ANWB, a Dutch company appointed by Best Western Hotels Europe to undertaken the examination. Every aspect of the hotel's operation was thoroughly inspected from both the aspect of hygiene standards and guest service.

Mr. Melody said: "It is great to receive this award as recognition of the high standards and quality of service that Breaffy House Hotel has strived to achieve and maintain over the years.

"It is also a great achievement and recognition of every member of staff's commitment to ensuring that our guests receive the highest standards of quality."

The hotel complex, which is set on 70-acres of woodland is owned by Eamonn Courell and Pat Moran.

Last year they opened a multi-million pound extension to the 200 years old building. It included 24 additional bedroomes and a new reception block.

The second phase will involve the construction of a leisure centre incorporating the best facilities for the health conscious, coupled with the development of extensive walks throughout the estate, redevelopment of the gardens and nurseries with the production of natural organic products for hotel patrons.