Brian McEnnif

I had the pleasure of joining Michael Collins and his Coach Party from Birmingham during their visit to Bundoran back in August. The group were staying at the towns Holyrood Hotel. One evening when we returned to the hotel after a visit to Glenveagh National Park Brian Mc Eniff the Hotel’s Proprietor was in the Reception area, I know Brian for quite some time and was pleased to introduce him to Michael Collins and some members of his party, Brian had a real Cead Mile Failte for Michael and his party. The following day on the Coach I gave a brief summary of Brian’s achievements however I was anxious out find out Brian’s full story and he kindly invited me to Bundoran to tell me all about his Family background and his Hotel ownership and sporting achievements.
Brian was born on 1st December 1942 in Bundoran, his Mother Elizabeth Mc Eniff nee Begley was from Carrickmore in County Tyrone and his Father John Mc Eniff was from Newbliss County Monaghan. He went to Primary School in Bundoran, at the age of 12 he attended St Macarten’s Boarding School in Monaghan, at the age of 17 he went to Cathal Brugha College in Dublin where he studied Hotel Management for three years. In 1962 he went to Toronto Canada, it was there he met and married Catherine O’Leary a native of Cork, they had three Children while living in Canada. In 1965 they moved back to Bundoran and took over the running of the families Holyrood Hotel. They now have ten Children; Brian is now a Director of 11 Hotels in Donegal, Sligo, Westport, Dublin and Waterford, he now employs over 1500 in the Hotel chain.
Brian went on to explain how the Hotel business began, it was during his time at St. Macarten’s in Monaghan that his parents purchased the twelve Bedroom Holyrood Hotel, in 1965 when Brian returned from the hustle and bustle of Toronto to take over the running of the Holyrood Hotel he found a big change, Bundoran almost closed down from September to Easter each year, then very little business until the Whit weekend, the busy time were July and August. Brian set out to find out of season visitors to his hotel.
He made contact with Elderly Persons Tours in Leeds and London and this influx of guests bought valuable income to the hotel during the off season.
Under Brian’s Management he set out to develop a Function and Wedding business, the hotel became well known for weddings and dinners dances, the hotel catered for up to sixty weddings a year, the hotel offered the complete package, the cake, photographer and the band and the disco for the entertainment. Brian always took pride in being present to take care of the newly weds and their guests, and he would take great pride in waving them goodbye as they departed the hotel to set off on their honeymoon.
In 1969 he bought the nearby Hamilton Hotel and in 1977 he bought the Magnificent Great Northern Hotel on the outskirts of the town, he developed a thriving business in all three hotels, the Coach Tours Industry brings in valued revenue all year round, as does the various functions. The Holyrood and The Great Northern are both famous concert venues. Daniel O’Donnell and all the top artists both from home and abroad a regular performers at both venues and always attract capacity crowds.
In 1988 Brian bought the Great Southern Hotel in Sligo, he gave over the management of the hotel to his Daughter Catherine and her Husband Kevin. In 1995 he bought the Rosses Point Hotel and this is managed by his Daughter Fiona, a few months later he bought Westport Woods Hotel, then in 2002 the Skylon Hotel in Dublin was added to the Mc Eniff Hotel chain.
Away from the hotel business Brian also serves on the board of Knock International Airport, the airport had a 60% growth in 2004 and the same growth is projected for this year, being on the board this gives Brian a good insight into the visitor trends in The West and North West, he is very proud on how well the airport has developed and also pointed out to me that it was now possible to drive from Bundoran to the airport and then fly to London, Manchester or Birmingham and complete the trip within four hours.
Away from the hotel business Brian is well known within the Gaelic Athletic Association both as a footballer and Team Manager. He won Nine County Titles, as a player with his much-loved Bundoran Team; He has been Manager of The Donegal G A A Team on five different occasions. As the Manager of the team he won four Ulster Championships and in 1992 he led the Donegal Team to their first ever All Ireland Victory. I well recall the September Monday Night when Brian and the team arrived at Sligo Railway Station proudly holding the famous Sam Maguire Cup, there were scenes of great joy and excitement and indeed similar scenes took place throughout the length and breath of Donegal.
In 2003 Brain brought the team to The All Ireland Semi Final, this year he was also in charge of the County Team, he also managed the Ulster Team from 1983 to the present and under his leadership they won ten Railway Cup Finals. In 1975 he was in charge of the Sligo Team and achieved victory when they won the Connaught Championship. He has also managed the Irish Compromise Rules team in 2000 and 2001. They went to Australia in October 2001 where they won their games against the Australian Team and he also serves on The G AA Central Council.
While visiting the Holyrood Hotel to have a chat with Brian and I the pleasure of being introduced to his mother Elizabeth, she is a bright a cheerful lady and I found it hard to believe she is ninty-six years old, she recalled the day back in the early sixties when her late Husband John and herself purchased the Holyrood and at the time little did they think this would be the beginning of the now eleven strong Mc Eniff Hotel chain.
I am grateful for Brian giving his time to do this interview with me and I know like Michael Collins and his parties visit to the hotel there would be a Cead Mile Failte for all guests who visit.
You can check the hotels website on www.holyroodhotel.com and the telephone number is 00 353 71 98 41232
Until the next time its Goodbye and God Bless from The Hills of Sligo.