Saturday with Tim Allman of Sheen Falls Lodge: After 30 years, there’s still something new every day

Tim Allman, Head Porter, Sheen Falls Hotel, Kenmare, Kerry. Photo: Don MacMonagle

6.15

I’m never off on Saturdays. If I’m on the early shift, I’ll get up at 6.15am. I’ll put on the Sheen Falls uniform — everything has to be immaculate of course. I’ll have a light breakfast and arrive at the hotel at 7am.

As head porter, my role entails meeting the guests at the front door, valet parking their cars, assisting with their luggage… we are the guests’ first impression of the hotel.

I was 27 when I started here. Some families have come every year since I started. They’re now coming with their children, and even their grandchildren, so I feel like I’ve grown up with them. 

I’m definitely one of the longest-standing members of staff at the hotel. In that time, the hotel has changed hands and has been upgraded and redecorated but it has always kept the same relaxed atmosphere — it’s a very homely place and our customers always say that they’re ‘coming home’ to Sheen Falls.

The hotel is staffed 24 hours a day, so the first thing I’ll do is speak to the night porter to see if there were any incidents during the night. 

I’ll light the fires and make sure everything is set up for the morning. We have five thatched cottages so I’ll get the guests’ breakfasts from the restaurant and deliver them over.

7.30

Breakfast starts at 7.30am. I’ll say good morning to every guest as they come down the stairs.

They might go for breakfast or they might enquire about activities or where they can go for dinner that night; they might want to book a car or a taxi.

We have a range of activities on site too — from archery to fishing, clay pigeon shooting to axe throwing, golf to horseback riding.

10.00

I take my first break and have a light breakfast. I’ll then have a quick meeting with the heads of department to talk about what’s happening for the day, who’s coming, VIPS, special requests… We’ll then prepare for any meetings that are taking place.

We accommodate smaller wedding groups throughout the year and large wedding parties during the winter.

The larger weddings will take exclusive use of the hotel — many of them will bring their wedding planner, their florist, and so on and decorate the hotel as they wish.

We have a lovely vintage car — a 1936 Buick which we can arrange for weddings or tours of Kenmare.

13.00

I’ll take a break at 1pm and then it’s into preparing for guests to arrive.

Sometimes people’s luggage will arrive before them and we’ll drop it to their room. 

My job is to be a presence at the door when guests arrive after a long drive — we take over from there, take the keys to their car, bring them into reception…

I don’t think I could have sat in an office nine-to-five for my whole career — I like moving around, meeting guests, the sociable aspect of the job and the fact that every day is different. 

Before Sheen Falls I was in Aghadoe Heights for 10 years. After 40 years you think you’d have seen and heard it all, but there’s still something new every day.

The day is gone when Americans come looking for their great aunt or uncle. That’s one thing I have noticed that has changed since I started here. There might still be an element of it but now people are really coming for holidays.

16.00

If I have started at 7am I will hand over to my colleagues at 4pm. I’ll head home and I’ll do a bit of gardening. 

I’m getting back into golf again so I might play nine holes of golf. I live with my wife Siobhán and my son Darren.

I think there is something about Kerry hospitality. Obviously we have beautiful scenery and the food has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years too… 

Not to be cocky but I do think we just have something that’s hard to beat — it’s the people, the Kerry wit — you can’t say exactly what it is but there’s something there alright because people come back year after year.

18.00

I might go for a walk with my wife — Gleninchaquin Park is a beautiful place to walk or Bonane Heritage Park — those two places kept us sane during lockdown. Once a week we’ll go out for lunch or dinner.

We are spoiled in Kenmare because there are so many great places in such a small town. We’ll go to Davitt’s or The Lime Tree. 

I’m mad into every sport but especially GAA. I support the Kenmare Shamrocks and try to get a match in every week. If I’m off work on Sunday I might go for a few drinks — to Crowleys or to the Roughty.

If I’m working the next day I’ll be in bed by 10.30pm. I’m a good sleeper and don’t get too stressed out about things.

• Tim Allman has been head porter at Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare for the past 30 years, where his warm welcome gives guests their first impression of the luxury hotel. sheenfallslodge.ie