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The Haven Hotel & the Kelly family |
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T he Haven Hotel was purchased in the spring of 1964 by our parent’s John & Jean Kelly. John was sent over to Bagnelstown from Yorkshire by his parents to live with an aunt for the duration of the war. Little did he know at that time that he would not return to Yorkshire to live? He went to school in Bagnelstown and then to Clongowes before he decided Hotel Management might be the thing to do. He started in Jurys, ‘the old Jury’s’ as everybody’s errand boy and the inevitable step up, he was appointed Catering Manager in the Gresham & on to Assistant Manager. It was there he met our mother, Jean, and a graduate from Cathal Brugha Street. She also worked in Fullers in Regent Street in London, and under Constance Spry, the florist. In 1961 the Kelly’s went to Renvyle when John was appointed Manager of Renvyle House Hotel. They stayed there three years when in 1963 they bought the Haven Hotel.
Since then the business has been through many changes. From the 60’s boom to the 70’s when the troubles lost us our cross-channel business. That together with the ever-increasing prices of drink and petrol and rotten summers led to the downward trend of hotel visitors in the 80’s & 90’s. However we have kept going giving good food, good service, good entertainment and the best possible value for money to attract people to Ireland and to the haven.
“ We will continue into the 21st Century with our love of the Haven, the help of 4 of our 8 children who now work with us here, our hard working staff and the support of our valued customers.”
"We have tried all the gimmicks over the years. Like a very cheap rate in the low months, children free accommodation, reasonable bar food, special children’s food, carvery lunch. Our Eldorado Grill & Disco in the ‘70s was the first of its kind in Ireland and I was the first in these parts to start the ballad sessions. I could go on and tell you that this was the first place Johnny McEvoy sang. I was so keen to have the right singers that often I drove up the Old Shieling and drove back with the Clancy’s and Tommy Makem to have them here on time. Ah yes, you could say we’ve tried it all."
John Kelly.
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