Champagne Garden at the Errigal!
The Errigal Country House Hotel in Cootehill has reopened to the public this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony on a brand new outdoor dining area.
The ‘south-facing ‘Champagne Garden’ overlooks the picturesque 18th century manicured gardens, and can seat up to 60 guests.
Since being forced to close due to Covid restrictions, Patrick Kelly has invested in the family-run hotel by building a comfortable and sheltered outdoor dining area complete with overhead heaters for when the long evenings turn chilly.
“Right now we’re putting the finishing touches to it, adding hanging baskets, and a last few additions before we open to the public,” explains Patrick, who has almost 7,000 plants in his polytunnel ready for planting in the hotel’s expansive grounds.
Since taking over the Errigal more than a decade and a half ago, Patrick has invested close to €10M in maximising the uniqueness of the space - both inside and out.
Outdoor dining resumed from June 7. For indoor and outdoor dining, a maximum of six people over 13 years will be allowed per table, increasing to a maximum of 15 people when children U13 are included.
A one-meter distance between tables, back of chair to back of chair, will be required, and it will be table service only.
Employees must wear face coverings at all times, and no time limit applies to outdoor dining, while the same will apply to indoor settings if the venue increases the distance between tables to two meters, otherwise a 105-minute limit will apply unless the person is a resident at the establishment.
Patrick acknowledges that the wedding business has been sorely impacted by lockdown, but sees light at the end of the tunnel for many of those still waiting to tie the knot.
“We have brides and grooms on their third and fourth postponement. It’s been very hard for the likes of them.
“Big weddings too, we’ll not have them back for a while yet, the way we once had, but definitely, with things opening up more, there will be more positivity. Weddings are great because they’re such happy occasions, they bring a buzz about the place,” he said.