Meet the Team

Darrell Penney – Director/General Manager 

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Darrell is Group General Manager at Clann Hospitality and oversees the day to day activities in all of our hotels. Darrell has held numerous General Manager roles in a career which spans back over 20 years and was appointed his first GM role at The Royal Dublin Hotel at the tender age of 23.

Since then, Darrell has successfully managed properties including The Park Plaza Tyrrelstown, The Plaza Hotel in Tallaght & The Pillo Hotel & Spa Ashbourne.

Darrell has also worked with a number of properties on a project/consultancy basis including The Fitzwilton Hotel in Waterford, Trim Castle Hotel & The Bridge House in Tullamore to name just a few.

Darrell is a results-focussed business leader and his management approach ensures he gets the very best out of his team. Darrell knows the hospitality business extremely well and can adapt his style to suit any property demonstrated by his proven track record of delivering results in all the properties he has managed.

 

Sarah Kavanagh – Reservations Manager

Sarah began her career in hospitality at the front line on the reception desk and has worked in a wide range of busy & diverse hotels.

Sarah joined the Pillo Hotel Ashbourne as a Reception Supervisor, where her tremendous personality and consummately organization were recognized and she was promoted internally to Group Reservations Supervisor.

Sarah remains a key member of the team and in her new role, she has increased her knowledge of rate and revenue management, which has reaped rewards for the group.  

 

Andy Greenslade – Sales & Marketing Manager

Andy joined Clann Hospitality in early 2018 and boasts a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry spanning over 20 years.

After completing his studies at the University of Plymouth, Andy went through the hotel training programme with Forte in his home town of Bristol before gaining valuable operational experience in Spain, France & Italy. However, it was Ireland that was calling and it was with Jurys Limerick Hotel where Andy started on his successful Sales & Marketing career.

After a couple of years in Limerick, Andy was elevated to the posting of Sales Manager for North America for the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group overseeing the sales operation into Ireland and the UK. Initially based in Washington DC, Andy moved to Boston, MA to coincide with the opening of Jurys Boston Hotel. On moving back to Ireland, Andy has been in several senior sales positions with some of Ireland’s most recognised hotel groups and currently resides in Skerries, Co Dublin.

 

 

 

Francesca Jachimiak - Wedding and Events Manager

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Francesca is our Wedding and Events Manager. She is your first port of call and will help you with all aspects of planning your wedding, conference, or event. She has a vast wealth of knowledge about the wedding and events industry and is well connected with leading vendors and suppliers to help ensure every aspect of your event is covered.

 

 

The best thing about Francesca is her personality, she's so incredibly friendly and kind and prides herself on ensuring each and every one of her wedding couples, corporate guests and family event organizers have not only the best day but a stress-free time planning their event. We asked Francesca what she loved most about her job as the Wedding and Events Manager and here is what she said. "What I love most about my job is working with an amazing team that puts the customer experience at the heart of everything they do.

 

Our team are at the top of their game and encourages and inspires me to continuously want to do better and go the extra mile for your customer. I’m also super lucky to be working alongside incredible customers and helping them plan and execute exceptional events.

Aidan O'Loughlan - Executive Head Chef

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A Kerry native, Aidan trained in Killarney before leaving Ireland to spend time working in Australia and Scotland. Aidan boasts over 25 years experience and has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in Ireland.

Aidan joined the Pillo hotel team in 2016 as Head Chef and has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. He offers a unique style of management and mentoring, leading by example in a calm positive environment to motivate and encourage his team.

He believes in encouraging contentment and loyalty between all team members to maximize the kitchen spirit and in turn, production. Aidan takes pride in implementing the highest standards of HACCP. He enjoys the challenge of improving a kitchen's menu, quality, and cost control. Aidan has been an invaluable addition to the Pillo Hotel team