Good Food Ireland® Approved, Castle Hotel & Leisure Centre Macroom, Co. Cork is delighted to announce Eoin O’Connor as their new Executive Head Chef.

Eoin is a highly skilled Senior Head Chef with a passion for creating atmospheric dining experiences for his clientele. Previous senior positions in The Montenotte, The Devlin Dublin and Garryvoe Hotel mean Eoin is rich in experience and demonstrates a desire to stay abreast of, and take inspiration from modern gastronomy.

Rory Buckley, General Manager & 3^rd generation of The Buckley’s said: ‘The Buckley family and staff are extremely excited and honoured to welcome Eoin to Macroom.  We have already enjoyed some very positive feedback from our wonderful customers on Eoin’s appointment.  We really look forward to the skill, expertise and experience that Eoin will bring to our team’.

Over a coffee during the week, Eoin answered a few quick questions:

Q: What attracted you to The Castle Hotel Macroom?

A: Undoubtedly, the first thing that drew me to the hotel was the familiar feeling, warm family atmosphere. The hotel’s esteemed reputation, rooted in its history and connection to the local community, aligns perfectly with my own values. Having access to excellent local suppliers and producers also plays a pivotal role, as it allows for the creation of truly remarkable dishes that speak to the heart of West Cork. Working within a family-run establishment that cherishes both tradition and innovation is a unique opportunity I eagerly embrace.

Q: They say first impressions are everything! How has your first month been?

A: My first month has been exceptionally welcoming. The staff’s professionalism and the community’s warmth have affirmed my decision to join this wonderful team. It’s clear that the Castle Hotel Macroom is a cornerstone of the community, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Q: What’s your favourite item on our evening bar menu?

A: It’s tough to choose just one, but the new spicy chicken from our main course section, is a personal favourite. It’s an excellent combination of citrus and spicy flavours with the juicy chicken supplied by Twomey’s Butchers.

Q: Do you have any exciting changes in the pipeline?

A: Indeed, one of the most exciting changes we have in the pipeline is our New Sunday Brunch. We’ve noticed that Sunday mornings in Macroom have a quiet charm, with few offerings around town. We see this as a wonderful opportunity to introduce our dynamic and vibrant brunch menu. We envision our brunch becoming a go-to destination, providing a perfect blend of relaxation and gastronomic delight, showcasing the best of what our local suppliers have to offer. We believe it will become a focal point of Sunday activity in Macroom, inviting both locals and visitors to make the most of their mornings with us.

Eoin’s announcement has been met with great positivity from the local community of Macroom, to whom The Buckley Family are so very grateful to for their continued support.  As always, the experience they provide for their customers, and their relationship with their invaluable suppliers are uppermost in their minds.

Rory added that ‘as we navigate our 73rd year in business, we’re looking forward with great hope and optimism.  Our focus, as always, will be to continually provide our guests with the very best service, coupled with our extremely high quality of produce. We are immensely proud of our country-wide reputation for our take on sustainable Irish food and we are continued proud members of Good Food Ireland.’

Rory, Eoin and all the team very much look forward to extending a warm west cork welcome to you, whether a first-time customer or an ‘old regular’ and spoiling you with so much choice; from their Award Winning Daily Carvery, Continental Style Next Door Café, Evening Bar Menu or their New Sunday Brunch!

Learn more about Castle Hotel & Leisure Centre Macroom on their Good Food Ireland® Business Profile Page.