Last tea is served as Shelbourne closes doors

COFFEE was the strongest drink available at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel yesterday before it closed for a massive facelift.

The Horseshoe Bar, a famous watering hole for the movers and shakers, was already closed for the dry Good Friday.

The 181-year-old hotel on St Stephen's Green, currently managed by the Mariott Hotel Group, was recently acquired by a consortium of private investors.

General manager Philip Spencer said many of the hotel's old features would be retained during the 18-month refurbishment that will include the installation of water sprinklers and an air cooling system.

The hotel's last customers were two American tourists David Colbert and Ilona Deborhegyi. They were treated to complementary tea and scones in the Lord Mayor's Lounge, which has already lost some of its sparkle as all of the chandeliers have been removed.

Since the last guests to stay at the hotel left last Friday, staff have been busy preparing the hotel for the refurbishment.

All beds were removed via the hotel's fire escape and the rare copy of the 1922 Constitution has been put safely away until the hotel reopens for business in autumn 2006.

It was only late on Thursday night, however, that the hotel's 227 staff some of whom have worked in the hotel for 40 years reached agreement on severance packages.

All of the staff can reapply for their jobs when the hotel reopens but the hotel expects that many will find alternative jobs in the meantime.

Doorman Dave Johnston has been with the Shelbourne for 31 years. He is also the hotel's SIPTU representative, a position he has held for 20 years.

He recalled meeting actor Paul Newman and being more struck by the actor's personality than his hallmark blue eyes.

He has less fond memories of meeting screen legend Richard Burton. "I remember him arriving in a Rolls Royce a couple of years before he died but he was a very distant kind of character," he recalled.

Another screen star who used to stay at the hotel was Charlton Heston. "He seemed to be a very lonely person and always carried an old suitcase that looked about 60 years old," Dave recalled.

Executive accommodation manager Agnes Keogh, who has worked with the Shelbourne for 23 years, described it as her "home from home".

Of all the stars who had stayed at the Shelbourne, actress Julia Roberts was a particular pleasure to serve, she said. "She is a lovely lady and so appreciative of our efforts to make her stay as comfortable as possible."

Elizabeth O'Neill, who worked at the hotel for 33 years, was manager of the Lord Mayor's lounge.

She thought it better not to name her favourite guests, but when pressed eventually admitted having a soft spot for former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.

Tony Neary, who has been with the hotel for 21 years, recalled how comedian Billy Connolly could liven up the Lord Mayor's Lounge within minutes of his arrival. And, he said, it was not always the rich and famous who were the best tippers.

"Everyone who came to the hotel got the same treatment, no matter who they were. But it was often the case that the most generous tip would come from someone with the least lined pockets," he said.