Good company & Irish Hospitality at its best – what more can you ask for?
Renowned for its Charm and age...
One of our loyal clients recently asked us to organise a memorable weekend for them and their customers. They wanted something a little unusual for them, somewhere different to London and most especially some serious working time coupled with lots of fun and entertainment! And so, we decided to return to my roots and fly everyone to the Emerald Isle and The Curragh, in Co. Kildare, renowned for its charm and age! (like some here at Templeton)
Confident that everything was in order...
What a pleasure it was for me to arrive back home in Ireland!
I landed a day before our guests to ensure that everything was perfectly in place and everything was ready to go. My first stop-off was at the very beautiful Curragh racecourse. Keeping to the renowned Irish hospitality, the friendly staff at The Curragh showed me our VIP box for the Saturday racing. I left there looking forward to the weekend and feeling confident that everything was in order.
How to make one feel welcome...
After that I made my way to the Killashee House Hotel, an extraordinary and beautiful property. Again, the gentle people of Kildare who work there certainly know how to make one feel welcome, and again, I had full confidence that all was in place for the coming weekend.
Takes hospitality and the well-being of their guests to heart...
Where there was a tiny bit of tweaking to do, all was done quickly, quietly and efficiently.
I must say that it makes my life much easier and reduces my stress levels when each venue and service provider takes hospitality and the well-being of their guests to heart!
On the Friday, our guests began to arrive. They started with the serious work stuff, the conference facilities were excellent and as soon as we got the business done, the team could relax!
Pint of Guinness Reception...
We had a pint of Guinness reception followed by a delicious five-course dinner at the very smart Turner’s restaurant in the Killashee House Hotel. Then we went on to Naas for a few more pints at William McCormack’s Pub and as regards the rest of the evening - what happens in Naas stays in Naas...
Greeted like old friends...
The next day we were off to the Kildangan Stud. We were greeted like old friends. Managing Director Joe Osborne showed us around the estate and the honeymoon suite and we enjoyed a very educating talk by the General Manager Gerry Duffy. We then proceeded the short distance over to The Curragh race course where we enjoyed a great afternoon, some winning, others winning not so much, but smiles all round! The Curragh is a small but charming racecourse and is one of Ireland’s oldest.
Devoured a most delicious succulent rib of beef...
After the afternoon’s racing we took a short transfer to Fallon’s of Kilcullen where we all devoured a most delicious succulent rib of beef – it was sliced for all twenty of us at our table by the head chef. Many thanks to Brian and his amazing team of professionals.
What happens in Naas stays in Naas...
The very obliging and kind-hearted Frank, who had brought us from stop to stop in his “Killashee Time Machine” finally got us back to the hotel for a last nightcap back at the residents’ bar where again I quote: what happens in Naas stays in Naas...!
Hope you enjoy our Curragh Racing Weekend short film where we once again prove that at
Templeton, we are serious about fun!
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
And as I rode out through Galway Town to seek for recreation
On the seventeenth of August, me mind being elevated
There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station
And me eyes began to dazzle and they’re going to see the races
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh
Passengers from Dublin and sportsmen from Tipperary
There were passengers from Kerry and all quarters of the nation
And our member Mr Hardy for to join the Galway Blazers
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
There were multitudes from Aran and members from New Quay shore
The boys from Connemara and the Clare unmarried maidens
People from Cork City who were loyal, true and faithful
They brought home the Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
And it’s there you’ll see confectioners with sugarsticks and dainties
The lozenges and oranges, the lemonade and raisins
Gingerbread and spices to accomodate the ladies
And a big crubeen for thruppence to be suckin’ while you’re able
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
And it’s there you’ll see the gamblers, the thimbles and the garters
And the sporting Wheel of Fortune with the four and twenty quarters
There was others without scruple pelting wattles at poor Maggy
And her daddy well contented to be gawking at his daughter
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
And it’s there you’ll see the pipers and the fiddlers competing
The nimble-footed dancers and they trippin’ on the daisies
There was others shoutin’ cigars and lights and bills for all the races
With the colours of the jockey and the price and horses’ ages
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
And it’s there you’ll see the jockeys and they mounted on so stately
The pink, the blue, the orange and green, the emblem of our nation
When the bell was rung for starting all the horses seemed impatient
I thought they never stood on ground, their speed was so amazing
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
There was half a million people there of all denominations
The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew and Presbyterian
There was yet no animosity no matter what persuasion
But fáilte and hospitality inducing Mr Paisley
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
With me whack fol the do fol the diddlely idle ay
"The Galway Races"
Made famous by "The Dubliners" in 1967
