The Clew Bay Hotel – Westport’s first Guaranteed Irish hotel

The Clew Bay Hotel, a member of Irish Country Hotels, is the first Westport hotel to be given the Guaranteed Irish logo, Ireland’s most trusted and recognised symbol for Irish manufactured goods and services.

Irish Country Hotels, which comprises 26 traditional Irish hotel businesses who between them employ 1,141 full-time and approximately 800 part-time staff, is the first hotels group in the country ever to be awarded this brand.

Maria Ruddy, owner of the Clew Bay Hotel and Chairperson of Irish Country Hotels said

“We are delighted to be associated with such a quality Irish brand ‘Guaranteed Irish’. It is recognised by over 80% of the population and we are delighted to be the first Irish hotel group to be included.”

A quarter of a century in existence this year, Irish Country Hotels is run as a co-operative. While it has been marketed overseas and is now an internationally recognised brand, it is also embarking on a campaign to increase business from the domestic market.

Operated mainly by family owners, the hotels offer an Irish welcome for customers with a strong ethos of supporting local business. They include some of the best known family hotels in Ireland including Clewbay Hotel Westport, Headfort Arms, Kells, Millpark Hotel Donegal, Armada Hotel and Miltown Malbay & Woodlands Hotel Adare.

Executive Director of Guaranteed Irish, Tom Rea, today welcomed Irish Country Hotels as the latest member of the organisation.

“We are delighted to have Irish Country Hotels sign up to Guaranteed Irish. As is reflected in other sectors, there is evidence that Irish people want to support the Irish hospitality industry including hotels as much as possible. The standard in Irish Country Hotels is very high. Members are contributing significantly to their local areas and are competing on price and quality,” he said.

“With evidence that consumer spending is down across the board it is more important than ever that we think Irish. Buying Irish means we can secure and create Irish jobs. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is a flag that calls Irish consumers to rally in support of Irish products and services at a time when their help is most needed.” he added.

Analysis commissioned by Guaranteed Irish in 2011 shows that even a modest increase in spend of €4 per household per week on Guaranteed Irish goods and services could create over 6,200 new jobs in Ireland.

The analysis by Amárach Research shows that the average Irish household spends just under €16 a week on Guaranteed Irish products and services.

The Guaranteed Irish membership includes a wide range of products and services extending to the pharmaceutical, building, recruitment, food, clothing and giftware market and now for the first time hotels.

The criteria of Irish Country Hotels and why it is approved by Guaranteed Irish is:

• Irish Country Hotels is a family business offering a truly Irish welcome.
• Irish Country Hotels use, source and promote local produce.
• Irish Country Hotels use green policies to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Irish Country Hotels are at the heart of their local communities.
• Irish Country Hotels will deliver a positive Irish experience for domestic & foreign visitors
• Irish Country Hotels will work in partnership with local attractions.