Talbot Collection completes €18m deal for Limerick's Absolute Hotel 

Award-winning 99-bedroom hotel is Talbot Collection's first in Limerick

The Talbot Collection has expanded to Limerick with the acquisition of the award-winning Absolute Hotel. At the announcement were Donnacha Hurley, Absolute Hotel Limerick general manager; Flavia Serrano, Talbot Collection group commercial manager; Philip Gavin, Talbot Collection managing director, Aoife Sambou Talbot Collection group HR executive, and Cormac Pettitt, Pettitt Group managing director. The Pettitt Group own the Talbot Collection. Picture: Arthur Ellis

The Talbot Collection has completed the acquisition of the Absolute Hotel in Limerick city, in a deal worth €18m. 

The Absolute has 99 bedrooms and also includes cafe, bar, restaurant, and fitness centre. The purchase is the Talbot Collection’s first in Limerick. Talbot Collection is owned by the Pettitt Group, of the well-known Pettitt family in Co Wexford. 

“This investment reflects our confidence in Ireland’s hospitality industry and our ongoing commitment to our people and guests,” Pettitt Group managing director Cormac Pettitt said.

“The acquisition of the Absolute Hotel is a significant milestone for the Talbot Collection. This is a superb hotel, with a great reputation. We are very excited to work with the fantastic team at the Absolute, led by general manager Donnacha Hurley.” 

The acquisition continues a period of sustained investment across the Talbot Collection’s portfolio, with multi-million-euro refurbishments completed at Talbot Hotel Cork (formerly Oriel House) and Talbot Hotel Midleton (formerly the Midleton Park Hotel) in 2024, following their rebrand under the unified Talbot identity. 

A decision is yet to be made on whether to rename the Absolute under the Talbot brand. "At this early stage, the Absolute Hotel will continue to operate under its existing name. As the acquisition has only recently been completed, the focus is on ensuring a smooth transition for the team and guests. In the future, there are plans to bring the property under the wider Talbot Collection umbrella to reflect the group’s unified brand and shared values." 

Talbot Collection has hotels in Wexford, Dublin, two in Cork in Ballincollig and Midleton; Tipperary, Carlow, and Limerick, in addition to The Talbot Suites Self-Catering Apartments, Newbay House wedding venue, and The Dome Entertainment Centre in Carlow.

The Talbot Collection now employs more than 800 people across the group. “We’re proud to expand the Talbot Collection to Limerick and indeed the west coast — a city full of energy and opportunity,” said Philip Gavin, Talbot Collection managing director. 

Absolute Hotel general manager Donnacha Hurley said joining the Talbot Collection offers "great opportunities" for the Limerick hotel. “The Talbot Collection’s people-first culture aligns perfectly with what we’ve built here in Limerick, and we’re excited for the next chapter together.”