Celbridge Manor Hotel

The Mulk

New name of Setanta House, I heard it's opening on Oct 14th.
It's up on Hotels.com and expedia.ie.

I wish them all the best, it's really a lovely building and hopefully they can get a leisure centre going in the near future

dobsdave

The Mulk wrote: »

New name of Setanta House, I heard it's opening on Oct 14th.
It's up on Hotels.com and expedia.ie.

I wish them all the best, it's really a lovely building and hopefully they can get a leisure centre going in the near future

Good news, Hopefully they will be serving decent food.

Raminahobbin

It'll be nice to have this up and running again, it was such a lovely building- fingers crossed whoever is managing the place does a good job, there's a lot of potential and Celbridge needs a hotel!

Joe Public

See https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=583886858325843

lindam66

can't wait to see this lovely hotel up and running again. Just don't do the nightclub again.
We need a gorgeous place to take visitors and be able to have a nice meal and drinks.
Best of luck

2ndcoming

I doubt the new owners would have any interest in re-opening the nightclub, except maybe late opening at Christmas / New Years. The vast majority of Celbridge's young people go out in Maynooth or town.

From looking at the pictures on hotels.com, the former nightclub is going to be the main hotel bar. Presumably the old bar will now be the breakfast room.

Not that there was anything wrong with the nightclub. Most people who complain about it probably never even went there.

lindam66

definitely agree with your post. ..However there were an awful lot of problems with the nightclub hence why I hope there will not be one in the future.
and young people going to maynooth? maynooth was always there before too and I did go to the place when it was open just because it was local and handy. .. so my own personal experience is what I'm going by

2ndcoming

lindam66 wrote: »

definitely agree with your post. ..However there were an awful lot of problems with the nightclub hence why I hope there will not be one in the future.
and young people going to maynooth? maynooth was always there before too and I did go to the place when it was open just because it was local and handy. .. so my own personal experience is what I'm going by

I went regularly from about 2000 on and I think I saw one fight worth talking about in 6 or 7 years (which involved a gang from Maynooth), but people often go on now about how it was trouble etc.

I just think Maynooth was always there but at the time only had the Glenroyal which was a rougher spot than the Setanta to be honest. With The Roost refurbished, Mantra and O'Neills they have a stranglehold now on people going out "locally" and younger people are a lot more prone to going into town than previous generations.

I think the hotel will prove to be some bargain to the buyers at €1.2m for such a classy building, really hope it works out well.

lindam66

oh I remember a lot of issues from the past. . big thumbs up to the future of this lovely place.
Best of luck with it and all the best

Joe Public

The nightclub used to attract the wrong kind, even the taxi men still talk about it and often refused to take calls from there. I witnessed the aftermath of the vandalism done on the Clane Rd. by people coming away from the nightclub on a regular basis.

I wish the new hotel all the best and hope it is successful without a nightclub.

dobsdave

Joe Public wrote: »

The nightclub used to attract the wrong kind, even the taxi men still talk about it and often refused to take calls from there. I witnessed the aftermath of the vandalism done on the Clane Rd. by people coming away from the nightclub on a regular basis.

I wish the new hotel all the best and hope it is successful without a nightclub.

I used to do taxiing in Celbridge, none of our drivers would go through the gates.

L1011

Setanta was where everyone in school went underage on Saturdays as the venues in Maynooth actually put some effort in to checking you were >18, at least for the nightclubs. Everyone moved to the Hamlet in Johnstownbridge once they were actually old enough.

ChewChew

I never went when I was underage, but I did enjoy a few nights there alright until I witnessed an incident I never wish to witness again. But all in all, I am glad to hear it is reopening/ed. I'll look forward to grabbing some food there too

Vain

Have they started doing food yet?

beertons

Is it open?

Johner

ChewChew wrote: »

I never went when I was underage, but I did enjoy a few nights there alright until I witnessed an incident I never wish to witness again. But all in all, I am glad to hear it is reopening/ed. I'll look forward to grabbing some food there too

At the very last new years one before it closed down there was carnage inside and then outside after, one involving a car!

dobsdave

beertons wrote: »

Is it open?

anyone tried it?

Rigel

It’s not open and still a bit of a building site which has me hoping they are fixing all the things I didn’t like about the Setanta such as the lack of a proper restaurant, the dark and dungeon like bar and the awful Guinness. Current rumour says it will open during December. I wish them well.

The web page http://celbridgemanorhotel.ie/ is under construction and the blank FB page already has 577 likes

Rigel

The bar opened last night and my friends who were there thought the bar was smaller than before but I will have to go on a mission and check it out for myself.

dobsdave

Rigel wrote: »

It’s not open and still a bit of a building site which has me hoping they are fixing all the things I didn’t like about the Setanta such as the lack of a proper restaurant, the dark and dungeon like bar and the awful Guinness. Current rumour says it will open during December. I wish them well.

The web page http://celbridgemanorhotel.ie/ is under construction and the blank FB page already has 577 likes

Rigel wrote: »

The bar opened last night and my friends who were there thought the bar was smaller than before but I will have to go on a mission and check it out for myself.

Builders worked overtime yesterday?

Riskymove

was there on Sunday for some food

a limited menu and a bit pricey but I guess they are only starting out and may expand if succesful

food itself was fine quality wise but was waiting a while for food

overall there is potential

place itself looked well and it even looked like they had some guests already

dobsdave

Riskymove wrote: »

was there on Sunday for some food

a limited menu and a bit pricey but I guess they are only starting out and may expand if succesful

food itself was fine quality wise but was waiting a while for food

overall there is potential

place itself looked well and it even looked like they had some guests already

Normal bar menu type of stuff?
Much more expensive?

Riskymove

dobsdave wrote: »

Normal bar menu type of stuff?
Much more expensive?

basically bar menu yes

steak, burger, fish and chips and curry were main courses I think

off the top of my head the fish and chips was about €14 and the steak €16

dobsdave

Riskymove wrote: »

basically bar menu yes

steak, burger, fish and chips and curry were main courses I think

off the top of my head the fish and chips was about €14 and the steak €16

Thanks, will have to check it out.

For a new venture, they aren't publicising it very much (at all).

kja1888

Riskymove wrote: »

basically bar menu yes

steak, burger, fish and chips and curry were main courses I think

off the top of my head the fish and chips was about €14 and the steak €16

That's what annoys me - why bother opening another place with the god awful burger/chilli/steak/chicken curry menu, you can get them in every single food pub in the country, and why would you even consider going there if that's all that's on offer? Something a bit more adventurous and inventive would be much more likely to tempt me in.

Peppa Pig

I went there today with the intention of having lunch. Place has had a lick of paint, new signage, carpet. Reception area has moved, it's a bit hidden now, opposite the bar.

The bar is pretty much as previously. Had a look at the menu and walked out due to the prices.
As said above typical lunchtime bar food. Hake was €11.95, Roast beef was €12.95, Steak €16.95, Fish, chips and mushy peas was incredibly, €16.95.
I went to the Village Inn where the fish and chips was €7.95 and included bread, butter and tea. It was also excellent. For 2 adults and 2 kids, both of whom had dinners we paid €34. I reckon it would have been about €50 in the Celbridge Manor, not something I would pay for Friday lunchtime. Given the competition I'd be very reluctant to even pay it on Sunday. Abbey Lodge do a 3 course Sunday lunch for €17 or €18, including the option of steak.

All in all, a bit underwhelmed

Joe Public

I like the hotel feel and look of the place and provides a nice place to bring or meet people. The new paint finishes, decor and carpets gives it a brighter and more comfortable experience. A hotel has been badly missed in Celbridge for too long now and here's to hoping all the best for its future survival. I hear they have 20 rooms of the 70 up and running and are booked out for the next few weeks.

It is important to keep in mind that hotels make most of their money from rooms and services provided rather than filling the bar by selling meals at budget prices. When people stay in hotels they like their comforts and are prepared to pay a little extra to have a relaxing time.

kja1888

Just been in, the bar was full but a couple left so we got their table. The fella that appeared to be in charge picked up the empties and we sat down. No-one came near us so the mrs went and got menus. The table remained wet and unwiped. After 10 minutes of being ignored we left. There were 3 staff milling about behind the bar the whole time. On the way out the mrs went up to the fella that cleared the table and let him know she was unhappy. He asked where we were sitting, she told him he should know where we were sitting. Then instead of offering to sort out the situation, he asked what her name was!!!! Doubt we'll be back. Went to the Village Inn instead.

Danpad

"It is important to keep in mind that hotels make most of their money from rooms and services provided rather than filling the bar by selling meals at budget prices. When people stay in hotels they like their comforts and are prepared to pay a little extra to have a relaxing time."

That statistic does not justify poor service in a bar/restaurant of a hotel. If someone is paying a little extra to have a relaxing time there and they get screwed by the price of food and drinks they're hardly likely to stay there again don't you think? It doesn't take a genius to get the balance right.

everest1980

To say that I will not be going back in a hurry is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

RayCon

Wow ... between the complete lack of advertising in the Celbridge area and bad reports from early users ... it's not exactly a positive re-opening for the Setanta.

Can't say Im eager to go explore based on what I'm reading in this thread.

dobsdave

RayCon wrote: »

Wow ... between the complete lack of advertising in the Celbridge area and bad reports from early users ... it's not exactly a positive re-opening for the Setanta.

Can't say Im eager to go explore based on what I'm reading in this thread.

I was looking forward to trying somewhere new locally, think I'll wait till I hear better reports.

Joe Public

Nearly 4,000 likes on Facebook so far so that sounds good.

Peppa Pig

everest1980 wrote: »

To say that I will not be going back in a hurry is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Why?

Danpad

It probably had 20,000 likes in the real world from Celbridge locals but that doesn't change the fact that so far the reviews aren't great.

2ndcoming

Joe Public wrote: »

Nearly 4,000 likes on Facebook so far so that sounds good.

They've paid for a sponsored spot on Facebook. Most studies show that Facebook likes do not equal money, e.g. I've liked it on Facebook but given all the reports I've heard so far are poor I won't be in any rush to spend any money there, so I don't know if that's anything more than lazy promoting / advertising.

Danpad

2ndcoming wrote: »

They've paid for a sponsored spot on Facebook. Most studies show that Facebook likes do not equal money, e.g. I've liked it on Facebook but given all the reports I've heard so far are poor I won't be in any rush to spend any money there, so I don't know if that's anything more than lazy promoting / advertising.

That's it in a nutshell. It's a sad sign of the times when people resort to proclaiming that something is liked on Facebook, therefore it must be great. The hotel has an opportunity to really establish itself and become a success. Here's hoping that the initial awful comments are just a result of teething problems.

GearoidsMissus

Delighted to see this lovely old building back in use again. I'm really showing my age here as I have very fond memories of it when it was owned by the WALSH family in the early 1980s! Father-and-son team Frank and John Walsh ran it for quite a while and then suddenly disappeared from the scene. No idea why.

Really hope it's a success as we badly need a nice hotel in the town.

Peppa Pig

The Website has gone live now
Impressive looking website, but still teething problems. When I was messing around I could book B&B for 2 people for €62 per night. Can't book anything now, not even the opening offer of €178 for 2 nights B&B with dinner. Expedia have the rate at €79 per room per night for 2 people which is good.

Some of the food pricing is up, they have priced the lunch menu in the restaurant on a par with Finnstown house (€27). The menu looks excellent but it needs to be very special to compete with Finnstown.

The wedding brochure is also excellent and pricing is not cheap but competitive.