Meet the Team

Meet The Team

The Sandymount Hotel has been welcoming visitors to the city of Dublin for 70 years, but we are nothing without our people. Now owned and run by the third generation of the Loughran family, we’re part of an ever-evolving story and we love bringing guests in on it too. The character of our building and the character of our team go hand in hand. It’s a natural charm and sense of fun that keeps guests coming back for more.

Say hello to some of our award-winning people who we consider extended family and are always working hard behind-the-scenes to make your stay extra special.

Owner/Director

John Loughran

The eldest son of the hotel’s original owners George and Rosaleen Loughran, John grew up in this very building with his family, living and breathing the daily life of hospitality. He studied just up the road in Trinity College, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC. He joined his younger brother Paul in the hotel in 1990 and became sole owner in 1999. A huge rugby fan, he commissioned the 15ft bronze “Sandymount Line Out” sculpture on our terrace to celebrate the hotel’s proud connection to the sport. Audrey, his wife of 44 years, was a receptionist in the hotel. Together they share four children and seven grandchildren. Their son, Gerard, is Director of the hotel.

Director

Gerard Loughran

Being part of the family business, Gerard has been working in the hotel for as long as he can remember; from pulling pints to making beds, he’s done it all. He became a fully-fledged member of the team in 2006 and now manages the day-to-day operations of the hotel. Another sporting enthusiast, when Gerard’s not working he can be found on the tee box or football pitch enjoying a kick about.

Receptionist

Beatrice O’Donoghue

Beatrice, or ‘Bea’ as our regular guests like to call her, has become the friendly and welcoming face of the hotel. Bea began working here 43 years ago under the guidance of John’s mother Rosaleen and the love she developed for the family and her role meant she never left! Still to this day, she brings the same work ethic and heartfelt welcome to the hotel that she always has done and there’s not a single face she can’t put a smile on. Family orientated with a heart of gold, Bea loves to spend time with her two grandchildren outside of work and takes any opportunity that she can to travel and visit her son in Australia.

Head Chef

Shane Doherty

Shane discovered a passion for cooking at a very young age, learning tips and tricks from his mother who was also a chef. Keen to continue the family trade, he trained at the Institute of Technology in Tralee before spending several years crafting his culinary skills in America and Australia. Shane began working at the Sandymount Hotel 13 years ago and knows exactly how to make classic and comforting, locally sourced food the star of the show. His creative flair lead to him crafting the hotel’s impressive Christmas Gingerbread Village and he plays a huge role every match day feeding hundreds of hungry supporters before and after the whistle blows. When Shane’s not at the kitchen pass he likes to travel, using any opportunity he can to discover new ideas and flavours from overseas to introduce into his perfectly executed dishes in our bar and restaurant.

Hotel Manager

Mate Szakacs

Mate is originally from Szeged, Hungary. He studied Economics but opted to begin his career out on the open seas in pursuit of his dream working on cruise ships. During his travels he met many fascinating people, including his future wife! In 2013, the pair moved to Ireland, where Mate put his hospitality skills to use in various hotel roles. Joining The Sandymount Hotel in 2016 as Senior Duty Manager, he quickly advanced and has recently returned to the hotel with a fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm after a brief period away to gain more experience. When enjoying some down time, Mate is an avid reader and loves walks in the fresh air with his children.

Director of Sales

Ronan Treacy

Having worked in travel since the late 1980s with household brand names like Aer Lingus, 123.ie, the FAI, Burlington Hotel, Ballsbridge Hotel and a prior successful stint with The Sandymount Hotel between 2013 and 2016, Ronan has recently returned to the fold as Director of Sales, working across corporate, leisure, group and conference business to help drive more business to the hotel as we grow from strength to strength. A team player, Ronan is first and foremost a family man, but also loves being a GAA football coach, keen social footballer and continues to enjoy his first love of travel both for business and for pleasure.

Financial Controller

Connor Dolan

After completing his Leaving Certificate in 1993, Connor moved to Scotland to study Accountancy at the University of Dundee. On completion of his degree, he worked with JD Wetherspoons for several years gaining great training and insight in the hospitality industry. He returned to Ireland in 2001 and worked in practice for several years before making the move to industry, joining The Sandymount Hotel in August 2005. Outside of work, Connor likes getting out of the city for activities like walking, cycling, catching a movie and supporting Liverpool FC.

HR Business Partner

Amanda Castro

Amanda originally hails from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where she studied law and worked in employment law. Deciding it wasn’t the path for her, she left her course in her final year and made the brave move across to Ireland to study English and, after falling in love with our country, has never looked back. Amanda has gone on to study business, specialising in psychology in Dublin which, combined with plenty of work within the city’s F&B industry, has made her a real asset to the HR team. Outside of work, Amanda loves cooking up new dishes in the kitchen and heading to the gym whilst grabbing any opportunity she can to travel.