History

GROWING BEAUTIFULLY

The name “Keadeen”, (pronounced "kay-deen") is derived from the Gaelic (Irish language) word “Céidín”, meaning “flat-topped hill”. The story goes that, when construction began on the original Keadeen House in 1899, the proprietor could see a mountain in the distance from the roof. He asked the foreman what mountain it was, to which he replied Keadeen Mountain in neighbouring County Wicklow. The owner liked the name so much he decided to name the house after it! The chimney stacks of the old house can still be seen from the front lawn and The Suite was converted from the old master bedroom. The billiard room was redeveloped into The Beech Room conference and banquet suite.

Keadeen House was later purchased by Paddy J Prendergast - more popularly known as "Darkie" Prendergast – as his home. He was the first trainer to bring Ireland into the international horse racing arena and, apart from Vincent O'Brien, contributed more than any other in establishing the country as a major racing power. Thanks to Ragusa he became the first Irish-based trainer to be crowned champion in England in 1963, a feat he repeated in 1964 and 1965 (Meadow Court, co-owned by Bing Crosby, landing the King George, after finishing second to the great Sea-Bird in the Epsom Derby, and Carlemont the Sussex Stakes). Meadow Court went on to win the Irish Derby in 1965. Bing Crosby sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" for the crowd and stayed in Keadeen House that evening. The Meadow Court conference suite is named after this famous horse. Many racing memorabilia can be seen throughout the hotel and a corner of Saddlers Bar & Bistro is dedicated to the great man himself. The Curragh Room also holds many memorabilia of the history of horse racing in the area.

The house and stables were purchased by Joe & Rose O’Loughlin in 1970 to be converted into a hotel. Since opening the doors for the first dinner dance on the 8th of December 1970, the hotel has seen many refurbishments and renovations over the years and achieved a 4 star rating from Failte Ireland (Irish Tourism) in 1998 due in no small part to the friendliness, fabulous food, and excellent service provided by staff at the hotel over the years.

We have consistently invested in upgrading our property, adding bedrooms, redesigning banqueting suites, upgrading existing facilities including The Suite, developing The Atrium, adding gardens, courtyards, refurbishing and extending older bedrooms and much more.