Special guests from the world of entertainment, sport and business joined General Manager Guy Thompson and his team to celebrate the official opening of Castleknock Hotel’s new food and beverage experience;
New menus focus on provenance and showcase some of Ireland’s best artisan producers.
A glittering gathering of guests from the world of entertainment, sport, business and the local community gathered at Castleknock Hotel to celebrate the official opening of the refurbished ground floor, the centrepiece of which are two new restaurants: Earth & Vine and 22 Bar & Restaurant.
Joining General Manager Guy Thompson and his team to mark the occasion were special guests including Irish models January Winters and Louise O’Reilly, actor Simon Delaney and Irish Gogglebox stars, Eileen and Angela.
Host for the evening was legendary broadcaster Marty Whelan, with the ever-popular Manila Strings providing the musical accompaniment.
Following a sparkling drinks reception, guests sampled a selection of dishes from the Earth & Vine and 22 Bar & Restaurant menus including Ardsallagh Goats Cheese Marshmallow, Atlantic Brill Parcel and Mulhuddart Braised Beef Cheeks.
For dessert, a selection of sweet pastries from Castleknock Hotel’s afternoon tea menu were served.
In addition to curating the evening’s menu, Executive Head Chef, and regular contributor on TV3’s Saturday AM Neal Kearns also gave a live cooking demonstration, with the help of very special guest and friend of Castleknock Hotel, Simon Delaney. Simon was a finalist in this year’s Celebrity Masterchef and has recently written his first cookbook – Simply Simon’s: the Diner Cookbook – with the help and support of Neal and the team at the hotel.
In the refurbished Lime Tree Bar, mixologist Andrew Sherlock gave a cocktail masterclass to guests featuring signature cocktails from both menus, including a Passion Fruit Caipiroska, Ronnefeldt Cooler and The Solero – a wonderful mix of Absolute Vodka, vanilla syrup, orange juice, Cointreau with a shot of prosecco on the side.
In his short speech to guests, General Manager Guy Thompson, paid tribute to his team: “We are really excited to showcase our new restaurants, Earth & Vine and 22 Bar & Restaurant, this evening. Our Executive Head Chef Neal Kearns and his team take great pride in bringing guests and visitors to the hotel on a special food journey and have spent considerable time developing these two new menus, which feature the best of Irish food and ingredients but with a Castleknock twist.”
A raffle on the night raised important funds for Saint Francis Hospice with prizes including membership to Tonic Leisure Centre, dinner in Earth & Vine and 22 Bar & Restaurant, and a top prize of a week for two in Castleknock Hotel’s sister hotel, Sunset Beach Club, in Spain. All monies raised will be matched by Castleknock Hotel.
Earth & Vine is Castleknock Hotel’s signature restaurant. It follows a farm to fork concept, taking traditional ingredients produced by some of Ireland’s best artisan producers and, through a contemporary cooking style, let the flavours shine through for a wonderful dining experience.
22 Bar & Restaurant is the hotel’s casual dining offering. It draws its inspiration from southern Italy and Sicily, with simple, trattoria style cooking, that, similar to Earth & Vine, allows the ingredients and their flavour to take centre stage on the plate.
Castleknock Hotel is an award-winning 4-star hotel set in beautiful grounds with its own golf course, right on the doorstep of Dublin city. Opened in 2005, the hotel is just 15 minutes from Dublin city centre and 20 minutes from Dublin Airport with easy access on the M50, but feels like a world away from the bustle of the city with its tranquil countryside setting.
Winner of over 30 local, national and international awards in the last few years, Castleknock Hotel is a luxury property designed to meet the needs of the most discerning guest, whether staying for business or pleasure.
Castleknock Hotel is currently undergoing developing works that will increase its room capacity to 190 with the addition of 43 new rooms and three suites.
As part of the development plan, the day spa – currently located on the first floor of the hotel – will move to the ground floor, with the addition of a new aerobics suite and five new treatment rooms. This will increase the overall size of the day spa and leisure centre from 8,825sq ft to 10,760sq ft.
This new development is expected to open in December.
