New owners revealed for John and Francis Brennan’s The Lansdowne hotel in Kenmare

The Lansdowne, a boutique hotel recently bought and refurbished by John and Francis Brennan in Kenmare, Co Kerry, has been acquired by new owners.

Aileen and Patrick Hanley, who run The Strand Cahore in Co Wexford, have acquired the 28-bed property for an undisclosed sum.

Under the terms of the acquisition, the couple have a three-year period to complete the purchase of the hotel, and will also continue to run their successful seaside restaurant in Cahore.

“We’re delighted,” said John Brennan, who said the Hanleys would bring “an energy to [the hotel] that’s new and fresh”.

“When we decided to pull back a little bit from work and give ourselves an easier life, Patrick and Aileen were the people that we really wanted to get it,” he added. “It’s a win-win, and it’s a really nice story.”

The Brennan brothers bought The Lansdowne in 2020 and relaunched their updated take the following year.

This May, the brothers announced their intention to sell the four-star and its sister five-star, The Park Hotel Kenmare. The properties guided at €17m for the Park and €3.5m for The Landsdowne, or a combined price of €20.5m.

In November, Dublin entrepreneur Bryan Meehan was confirmed as the new owner of the Park.

“I couldn’t be happier with the transition in both properties,” Mr Brennan said.

The Hanleys will operate The Lansdowne independently, while continuing to run The Strand Cahore – the couple has plans to add accommodation to the Co Wexford bar and restaurant “in the near future”.

The deal brings Mr Hanley full circle to Kenmare. He grew up in the town and his parents, Breda and Bobby, previously ran the hotel (then known as The Lansdowne Arms) before selling it on in 2000.

“I know and love every nook and cranny of the hotel,” he said. “It is part of my DNA.”

“The two of them together are a powerhouse,” Mr Brennan said of the Hanleys.

“We’re just delighted to be able to put a deal together that made sense to everyone, got them in the front door, and back into the place where he should always have been.”

Mr Hanley has also worked as general manager at Sheen Falls Lodge and The Park Hotel Kenmare.

Aileen Hanley, from Co. Meath, has worked in senior management positions at Sheen Falls Lodge, Bellinter House in Co. Meath and as general manager of The Eccles Hotel in Glengarriff, Co. Cork.

“We are taking over The Lansdowne Kenmare at its peak following the recent investment by the Brennans of €1.5 million to bring this historic town hotel to the standard of a world-class boutique hotel,” she said.

“We are perfectly poised to attract both domestic and international visitors who wish to explore this charming heritage town before setting off to explore the Ring of Kerry and the rest of the Kingdom.”

The Lansdowne Kenmare is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World as well as Ireland’s Blue Book.

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