Cashel Palace Hotel is a five-star luxury property in County Tipperary. Set within a grand Palladian manor dating back to 1732, the hotel has been meticulously restored. Once the residence of the Archbishops of Cashel, it sits just below the iconic Rock of Cashel.
Located in the heart of Cashel town, the property offers tranquil surroundings while remaining within easy reach of the historic centre. A proud member of Relais & Châteaux, Cashel Palace was acquired by the Magnier family in 2016 and reopened in March 2022 following an extensive restoration.
In this interview, we speak with Adriaan Bartels, General Manager of Cashel Palace. A seasoned leader in luxury hospitality, he brings decades of experience alongside a strong local connection. He shares insights into his professional journey, the hotel’s deep roots within the Tipperary community, the legacy of its long-serving staff, and what truly makes a guest’s stay unforgettable.
Born in Kenya to Dutch parents, Adriaan came to Ireland in 1978. A graduate of DIT Cathal Brugha Street and Trinity College, he holds both a Degree and a Masters in Hospitality Management, as well as an Executive Management Certificate from Cornell University.
His career spans some of the most respected luxury properties in Ireland and the UK, including The Park Hotel Kenmare, The Shelbourne Hotel, Pennyhill Park in Surrey, Sheen Falls Lodge, and the Royal Scotsman Train in Scotland. He later held senior leadership roles within The Cliff Group, including General Manager of Cliff House Hotel and Group General Manager across several properties.
In 2003, Adriaan was named Irish Hospitality Institute Hotel Manager of the Year.
Your career in hospitality has clearly been an exciting one. What first drew you to the industry, and what path led you to become General Manager at Cashel Palace?
I decided to study Hotel Management so that I could travel the world. Since there are hotels in every corner of the globe, it seemed like a good business to enter if you liked travelling – which I do. I live near Cashel, and after spending nearly 11 years at the Cliff House Hotel commuting an hour each way, it was time to find something closer to home. Luckily, they were looking for a new General Manager for the soon-to-be-opened Cashel Palace Hotel.
If you could describe Cashel Palace in three words, what would they be?
Place of Notable Hospitality.
What makes Cashel Palace unique within Ireland’s luxury hospitality scene?
Location. The hotel is situated in the heart of the town of Cashel, in the heart of Tipperary, in the heart of Ireland.
Cashel Palace is deeply connected to its community. How do you weave local culture and producers into the guest experience?
We maintain an open-door policy, welcoming locals as both guests and valued members of our team. We also share a strong connection with the Tipperary Food Producers Network, sourcing as much of their fantastic produce as possible, and even arranging tours for guests to visit the producers. We are closely connected with Ballydoyle and Coolmore Stud Farms, both of which are now open to our guests, offering unique equine experiences.
Do you have a favourite quiet corner or little detail in the hotel that you think many guests overlook?
If you go into the Guinness Bar, you will find a QR code beside the painting ’The Characters of Cheltenham Gold Cup Week 1950’ by Waldron West. This code links to a video of Denis Heffernan, who was the barman in the Guinness Bar for over 50 years. He tells the story of each character in his inimitable Tipperary accent; it is well worth a seven-minute listen. Dear old Denis has passed on, but he lives on forever in the Guinness Bar.
If you could experience one perfect day as a guest at Cashel Palace, how would you spend it?
I’d check in around noon, starting with lunch in Mikey Ryan’s Bar & Kitchen, followed by a relaxing afternoon in the Spa with a massage, of course! Then, a cocktail in the Residents’ Bar, dinner in the Bishop’s Buttery, and a nightcap in Donoghue’s Bar. I’d finish with breakfast in the Queen Anne Room before checking out.
How has earning and maintaining a Michelin star at The Bishop’s Buttery shaped the culinary approach at Cashel Palace – from sourcing and menu development to the overall guest gastronomic journey?
One of our main ambitions was to serve excellent food using the best of Tipperary’s local produce. As a result of that commitment, we were awarded a Michelin star in only our second year of opening, which was fantastic for both the team and the hotel.
If you could have every guest leave with one lasting impression of Cashel Palace, what would you want it to be?
That they remember how friendly the staff were.
How do you see the luxury travel market evolving in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Ireland needs to promote itself as a ‘coolcation’ destination to attract tourists from parts of the world that are suffering from the extreme heat!
Finally, what advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a General Manager at a luxury hotel?
Try and work in as many departments as possible to get a full understanding of each area. Don’t be in a rush – be sure to learn as much as possible from each experience you have. Work hard. Trust your gut. And have fun too!
Read our full review of our stay at Cashel Palace, here.
For more information, visit https://www.cashelpalacehotel.ie/.
