New GM takes over Cork’s 'Grande Dame’ Hotel
A Tipp woman is taking the reigns at one of Cork city’s most familiar landmarks.
The Imperial Hotel, which dates back to 1816, has hosted some of the famous names to ever stay in Cork including, JFK, Charles Dickens and Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Michael Collins also spent his last night on the South Mall.
Lorraine Gavigan has been appointed General Manager of The Imperial Hotel, which has been part of Cork’s social and cultural fabric for more than two centuries.
Recent months, with Lorraine at the helm, have seen a renewed focus on investment and experience across the property, most notably the refurbishment and relaunch of Fitzgerald’s Bar, now a central social space within the hotel.
Continued enhancements to guest arrival, seasonal storytelling and carefully considered touches throughout the building reflect a wider commitment to preserving the hotel’s heritage while ensuring it remains relevant.
Ms Gavigan brings more than two decades of experience across luxury, city and international hotel operations.
She began her career at 18 on the inhouse management training programme at Dromoland Castle, before gaining experience overseas in Massachusetts and London, before returning home to be part of the opening team at Cork International Hotel.
Entrepreneurial by nature, Gavigan later co-opened The Belfry Restaurant in Mullingar, a converted church offering a fine dining experience, before returning to senior food and beverage and operations roles at Clontarf Castle and the Mespil Hotel.
She rejoined the Cork International Hotel as Food and Beverage Manager and was named Food and Beverage Manager of the Year by the Irish Hospitality Institute in 2018.
Most recently, she served as Operations Manager and Deputy General Manager at Clayton Hotel Cork City, followed by a year in Germany as Hotel Manager at Clayton Hotel Düsseldorf, supporting Dalata’s international operations.
Speaking on her appointment as GM, Gavigan said she was proud to return to Cork to lead a family owned hotel with such a strong sense of place and history.
“The Fitzgerald family’s belief in the power of small details, from a warm welcome at the front door to the atmosphere created through ongoing investment and seasonal initiatives, closely aligns with my own approach to hospitality.”
Her focus, she said, will be on continuous improvement while remaining true to the building’s heritage, strengthening relationships with guests and ensuring The Imperial continues to feel both timeless and distinctly Cork.
The Imperial blends its historic architecture with a refined boutique feel, offering a sense of quiet luxury shaped as much by atmosphere and service as by its setting. The hotel forms part of the Louis Fitzgerald Group, whose family ownership continues to shape its emphasis on warmth, welcome and thoughtful detail.