Mags bids farewell to Bloomfield
The longest serving member of staff at Bloomfield House Hotel, Leisure Club and Spa, Mags Matthews, has retired after more than four decades of service to the business.
The team at Bloomfield gathered together recently to wish a fond farewell to Mags, surprising her with a guard of honour and gift presentation after her final shift.
Mags is a big part of the history of Bloomfield House Hotel: in 1979, Bloomfield House was acquired by a group of local businessmen who saw potential in the former convent property, and transformed the building into a then 29-bedroom hotel.
Soon after, Mags joined the original team, who had just opened the hotel and were laying the groundwork to establish Bloomfield as a leading midlands hotel.
Since then, Mags has been at the heart and soul of Bloomfield House Hotel. At the beginning, she worked in various roles, before moving to the weddings and functions side of the business and looking after the early shift in the hotel’s 240-seat restaurant.
Over the years, Mags has worked hundreds of weddings and events and welcomed thousands of guests to the restaurant for breakfast, where she became a well-known face to returning guests.
The hotel consistently delivers a genuine and enjoyable Irish experience for its many guests and Mags has played a leading role in that.
Mags is proud to have been an integral part of the Bloomfield team for so many years and has a treasure trove of memories and stories, having seen many changes during her tenure.
In 1998, the hotel increased in size from its original 29 bedrooms to 65 and a leisure club and spa were added. Renovations that began in 2004 extended the bar, added a new carvery dining space and 46 new bedrooms, taking the total to 111.
Mags was part of an active and energetic team who helped the hotel achieve official four star status from Fáilte Ireland in 2012, which was a springboard to myriad improvement projects including the refurbishment of the ballroom, lobby and bar plus the addition of a new lake view dining room, leisure club lounge and outdoor coffee lodge. In 2022, Bloomfield launched its new Signature Suites, plus 30 new Family Bedrooms and Dens, further enhancing its already popular family element.
Last month, the new deluxe and Lakeview Bedrooms were they revealed, and developments on the way include a new restaurant in early 2024 – all part of an ongoing ‘refurb programme’ at Bloomfield House Hotel.
A dynamic and committed team complement the facilities at Bloomfield, and providing the highest standards of customer service has been a priority over the 40 years. The management team are proud to have members of staff who have a loyal and dedicated length of service.
Mags prided herself on her excellent customer service and always went the extra mile to ensure guests left the hotel having had memorable experiences. Regular guests enjoyed the chats and Mags always noted and remembered special requirements guests had, a gesture they would appreciate.
Now retired, Mags intends to spend time enjoying life’s quality moments with her husband Ray, sons Raymond and Leon, daughter Elaine, six adored grandchildren and great-grandchild. As well as spending time at home with her family, she plans to do some traveling.
Mags paid tribute to her former colleagues: “Thank you to the staff and management at Bloomfield for their best wishes on my retirement. I know a huge amount of work went in to my farewell – thank you for all the photos and messages displayed around the hotel, for my beautiful flowers and gifts, and especially the slide-show, and to all who came to wish me well.
“Bloomfield, I thank you for all the years I spent with you. It was a life experience. I would like to take this opportunity to wish your beautiful hotel the very best – keep up the great hospitality you give to all who walk through your doors.”
The Team at Bloomfield House Hotel, Leisure Club and Spa would like to thank Mags for her many years of exceptional service and wish her all the best in this next chapter, as she finally puts her feet up.