Family-run hotel wins fourth AA star

A FAMILY-RUN hotel in south Tipperary has been awarded a prestigious fourth star by the AA’s international hotel judges.

Hotel Minella, which raised thousands of money for children’s charities when it opened a new section two years ago, was presented with the award at the Guinness Gravity Bar in Dublin.

The hotel was set up by the late Jack and Babs Nallen at an old country house on the edge of Clonmel, beside the river Suir, and is today run by managing director Elizabeth Nallen-Bowen and her brother, John Nallen.

It was extended in recent years, adding a new floor, including two executive bedrooms, 40 new contemporary bedrooms and four suites.

Ms Nallen-Bowen said that her parents would have been “overjoyed, and so very proud” with the AA four-star award. “It was their vision, commitment and hard work that has driven me and my brother, John, to develop and improve the quality and personal service that the Minella is noted for.”

The Minella name is well-known to horseracing fans through a number of horses owned by family members.

The hotel was also upgraded to four stars by Fáilte Ireland earlier this year, and is a member of the Irish Country Hotels & Manor House hotels association.