About the Granville Hotel Waterford
The 100 years celebration
Waterford’s historic past has come to life recently when famous historic characters were remembered as the Granville Hotel celebrated its centenary. Chamber maids in their traditional black & white outfits mingled with Thomas ‘Francis’ Meagher, Carlo Bianconi and Daniel O’Connell look alikes as a string quartet played chamber music to set the scene for a memorable celebration of the Granville … past & present.
Welcoming guests at the celebration included representatives from the Italian and American Embassies, Ken Power Historian with the Thomas ‘Francis’ Meagher society in the US and Christian Stevens a historian from Montana and now a lecturer at University College Galway.
History
Whilst the Granville is one of the oldest hotels in the country, it is also one of the most historical buildings. One special artifact which contributes to the history of the Granville Hotel cannot be overlooked. A feature of the lobby is of course The Lord Roberts grandfather clock, once owned by field marshall Lord Roberts, who was made a freeman of the city of Waterford on August 28th 1893. Among other tasteful furnishings in the that speak volumes about the building include the beautiful Queen Anne chairs and the marvelous range of paintings. All 100 guest rooms boast collections of original paintings and prints from artists such as Joseph Haverty 1794-1864. A central feature if the ground floor is the Tapestry Room with fine hand woven tapestries on the walls and the ceiling is adorned by several magnificent Waterford Crystal chandeliers.
The Sympathetic renovation of the hotel to its former splendour
- The Granville hotel was once one of Waterford’s gracious old mansions, built in the reign of George 111 by the Quan family (Thomas ‘Francis’ Meagher’s mother was a member of the Quan family)
- From the late 1700’s it has been a landmark feature on the city’s quayside when it was taken over by Thomas Meagher who was the first post reformation Roman Catholic Mayor in Ireland
- The Meagher family sold the property in 1832 to Charles Bianconi
- In 1865 Bianconi sold the business to the Commins family. Henceforth it was known as the Commins Hotel until the turn of the 19th century
- 1899 saw the hotel been aquired by Hearne & Co who traded as The Granville Hotels Ltds. The Granville Hotel traded successfully until the 1950’s / 1960’s when regrettable it began to decline.
- All of that changed however when locals Liam & Ann Cusack, the present owners of the hotel, purchased it in 1979 and the Cusack’s commenced trading in May 1980.
Twenty years later the original grandeur and olde world character of the Granville Hotel still remain, whilst the latest 21st century technology has been set into its very fabric. The hotel has recently undergone a radical programme of renovation and refurbishment. This investment brings thirty new guest rooms giving a total of 100 rooms including stunning Penthouses which over look the River Suir and City.
The visually stunning interiors of The Granville Hotel have long been admired by visitors to Waterford. The graceful architecture and tasteful furnishings speak volumes about the history of the building. One can say therefore that The Granville Hotel offers its guest the best of two worlds…
The Granville Hotel come visit us and enjoy what we have to offer, that’s why guest return time & time again
