THE last weekend of the Championship brought scores of Ipswich Town fans to the stunning 4-star Manor House Hotel in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.
Not because they fancied pampering themselves, after one too many in celebrating the club’s epic promotion.
The countryside venue, which boasts breathtaking views of Lough Erne’s lakes, put on a viewing party showing the Tractor Boys’ final game of the season against Huddersfield Town.
Better still, anyone wearing a Town shirt gets a free pint in the hotel bar.
But why is this first class establishment opening its doors to football fans, when usually first class weddings are its bread and butter?
The explanation is simple. The Manor House Hotel has been in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna’s family for 35 years.
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It was bought by the highly-regarded coach’s mum and dad Mary and Liam in 1989.
The pair turned it into a stunning destination, after overseeing a huge number of developments to the property.
They built two extensions – one to turn eight rooms into 80; and the second to house a luxury leisure and spa suite.
Now, they are reaping the rewards – with the hotel able to charge as much as £280-per-night and featuring an award-winning AA Rosette restaurant.
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And it has attracted celebrity clientele, including Gary Lineker, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Noel Edmonds.
Keeping it in the family
With Kieran McKenna dedicating his life to football, it was up to his siblings James and Rosemary to handle operations.
They took over the reins of the 18th Century Grade Two Listed building last year, despite joking Donald Trump was taking over on April Fools’ Day, that boasts breathtaking views of Lough Erne’s lakes.
“We’re lucky to have such brilliant mentors in our parents,” James McKenna told The Impartial Reporter.
“They built the hotel up from eight to 80 bedrooms, constantly making improvements and adding new strands to the business.
“But they’ve also purposefully been quite hands-off, allowing us to figure things out for ourselves and encouraging us to put our own stamp on things.”
The hotel employs more than 100 staff, and is winning awards just like Kieran McKenna’s side.
At the end of 2023, the Manor House Hotel was crowned Ulster Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious Irish Hotel Awards.
That accolades don’t stop there. Executive chef Stephen Greenwood and his team of chefs, who craft fine delicacy at the hotel’s Belleek Restaurant, were also awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellence.
While their wedding service has also been heralded as the best in Northern Ireland.
Guests of up to 300 can enjoy the Grand Ball Room for a large wedding, while a more intimate setting can be catered for in the Burns Suite.
Of course, the nuptials can take place lakeside on manicured lawns, with extensive gardens, and an elegant water fountain as a backdrop.
Restaurants
Back to dining options, and there are several to choose from.
As mentioned, the Belleek Restaurant is the most exclusive.
They serve breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, as well as a roast on a Sunday.
Breakfast staples include a full Irish, featuring pork sausage, grilled bacon, black and white pudding, roasted tomato, mushrooms, beans, potato Bread, toasted soda farl and egg. There’s certainly no skimping.
While, lighter meals include a grilled ham benedict or fruit salad.
For dinner, diners can indulge in pan fried seabass, lamb, Irish beef fillet, or monkfish.
Prices are missing from the menu, but with four pound signs attributed to it on TripAdvisor – that suggests it’s pricey.
However, the five-star reviews it gets from patrons suggests it’s worth it.
On the ground floor, the Cellar Bar and Bistro offers is said to be a more reasonable spot for a bite to eat and enjoy live music at weekends.
The Watergate Bar seems the perfect spot to sink an Irish whiskey.
Spa
If you’re not a foodie, and prefer health and fitness, the Manor House Hotel has your back.
Guests and members have a wealth of amenities to enjoy, including a state-of-the-art gym.
For those looking to relax, the spa and sanctuary is just the ticket.
Various treatments are available to soothe skin, body and mind.
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A reasonably priced £15 day pass gives you access to a full size swimming pool with massage jets, hot tub, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Should Kieran McKenna need somewhere to eat, drink, sleep and recuperate – you can bet the Manor House Country Hotel would be the first on his lift.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
