One of Dublin's best known landmarks, the Burlington Hotel, today closed its doors for the last time. The four-star 500-bed hotel first opened in 1972. The Burlington was most associated with international rugby weekends, the Dublin Horse Show and an array of international superstar guests.
Last April, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group sold the hotel to developer Bernard McNamara for €288 million. Jurys said it was using the proceeds to concentrate on new acquisitions on the US east coast and Europe. A total of 447 employees of the hotel were made redundant. The four-acre site is expected to be converted into offices and apartments. Siptu said the closure of the Burlington, and the Berkeley Court Hotel and Jurys Hotel in the same area in recent months, was a major setback for the tourism industry.
Siptu general president Jack O'Connor also bemoaned the loss of skilled well-paid jobs in a key sector of the Irish economy. "There is no thought given to the consequences for 'Ireland of the Welcomes', of driving down pay and conditions, as well as skills and standards in the sector of our economy which most directly engages with those visiting our shores as tourists and business travellers", he said.
John Clifton who has worked at the hotel for 32 years said it was a special place. "It has changed tremendously down through the years. But the core of the business itself hasn't changed. The regulars who come in here love the lobby of the Burlington. It is a real people-watching place. or the price of a cup of coffee you can see the celebrities coming through the door. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton for example, to have people of that stature walking in the door has been fabulous and it really brings it home to you what a fabulous place it is that we can entertain people of such stature", he said.
International celebrities who stayed in the hotel included Mohammed Ali, John Wayne, Johnny Cash, Omar Sharif, Mel Gibson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Quentin Tarantino and the Brazilian soccer squad. Head concierge Frank Treacy, who has also worked at the hotel for over 30 years, said the closure was tough for the staff. "I have no plans. I'm just trying to get my head around this. It is a sad day. The more I see the regular customers come in the sadder it is."
Throughout the morning local residents and guests sat in the lobby over scones and tea as press photographers snapped pictures of porters and desk clerks going about their business for the final time. One regular was Education Minister Mary Hanafin, who reminisced about her youth when her father used an office in the hotel to fundraise for Fianna Fail. "The Burlington is a very significant institution for Ireland and for Dublin", she said. "It is the place where the largest events, dinners and functions took place for very many years. I spent ten years of my childhood coming in here to the lobby and I remember my daddy coming home with autographs and photographs of people like Pele, Mohammed Ali, Omar Sharif, all of whom had come through the hotel."
Adjoining the lobby, the hotel's bar Buck Mulligan's - normally bustling with customers - was closed. Photographs of sports awards ceremonies and other functions adorned its walls. Coffee cups sat stacked on the bar counter, the stools placed neatly under the tables. Just after midday the Elbilia family from London became the final guests to check out. "It's very sad to see you closing this fine hotel", said Mr Elbilia, to a round of applause from staff before Jury's Burlington hotel closed its doors to the public for the final time.
Last April, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group sold the hotel to developer Bernard McNamara for €288 million. Jurys said it was using the proceeds to concentrate on new acquisitions on the US east coast and Europe. A total of 447 employees of the hotel were made redundant. The four-acre site is expected to be converted into offices and apartments. Siptu said the closure of the Burlington, and the Berkeley Court Hotel and Jurys Hotel in the same area in recent months, was a major setback for the tourism industry.
Siptu general president Jack O'Connor also bemoaned the loss of skilled well-paid jobs in a key sector of the Irish economy. "There is no thought given to the consequences for 'Ireland of the Welcomes', of driving down pay and conditions, as well as skills and standards in the sector of our economy which most directly engages with those visiting our shores as tourists and business travellers", he said.
John Clifton who has worked at the hotel for 32 years said it was a special place. "It has changed tremendously down through the years. But the core of the business itself hasn't changed. The regulars who come in here love the lobby of the Burlington. It is a real people-watching place. or the price of a cup of coffee you can see the celebrities coming through the door. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton for example, to have people of that stature walking in the door has been fabulous and it really brings it home to you what a fabulous place it is that we can entertain people of such stature", he said.
International celebrities who stayed in the hotel included Mohammed Ali, John Wayne, Johnny Cash, Omar Sharif, Mel Gibson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Quentin Tarantino and the Brazilian soccer squad. Head concierge Frank Treacy, who has also worked at the hotel for over 30 years, said the closure was tough for the staff. "I have no plans. I'm just trying to get my head around this. It is a sad day. The more I see the regular customers come in the sadder it is."
Throughout the morning local residents and guests sat in the lobby over scones and tea as press photographers snapped pictures of porters and desk clerks going about their business for the final time. One regular was Education Minister Mary Hanafin, who reminisced about her youth when her father used an office in the hotel to fundraise for Fianna Fail. "The Burlington is a very significant institution for Ireland and for Dublin", she said. "It is the place where the largest events, dinners and functions took place for very many years. I spent ten years of my childhood coming in here to the lobby and I remember my daddy coming home with autographs and photographs of people like Pele, Mohammed Ali, Omar Sharif, all of whom had come through the hotel."
Adjoining the lobby, the hotel's bar Buck Mulligan's - normally bustling with customers - was closed. Photographs of sports awards ceremonies and other functions adorned its walls. Coffee cups sat stacked on the bar counter, the stools placed neatly under the tables. Just after midday the Elbilia family from London became the final guests to check out. "It's very sad to see you closing this fine hotel", said Mr Elbilia, to a round of applause from staff before Jury's Burlington hotel closed its doors to the public for the final time.
