HISTORY OF THE COLLEGIATE HOTEL

Located downtown Auburn on the Corner of Thach and Gay Streets, The Collegiate has a rich 80+ history. The Nestled in its wooded vale beside the tumbling waters of the River Inagh, the distinctive building known today as the Falls Hotel & Spa is regarded as one of the finest Clare Hotels, ideally located for touring the West of Ireland. The Falls Hotel in Clare conceals within it’s walls an eighteenth century mansion, a late medieval castle and a formidable history of four and a half centuries embracing clans and warfare, landlords and tenants, poets, dreamers and entrepreneurs.

THE WITTELS

In 1712 the farm of “Inishtymond” was granted to John O’Brien of Dublin, who was probably acting on behalf of his relative Christopher O’Brien. Christopher O’Brien died in 1743 and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Edward. Then in 1764 Edward demolished much of the old castle building.

The new structure, Ennistymon House, was a Georgian-style building with large sash windows, fine paneling and rococo decoration inside.

THE FINUCANES

OWNERSHIP FROM 1942 – 1986

The new owner of the Falls Hotel Clare was a retired Welshman called Gerard Henry Williams-Owen. He and his family operated during the summer months only.

In 1955 John F. Wood and his wife Bridget acquired the hotel. They added the hydro-electric plant which for many years provided power to the building and the ‘plant’ can still be seen a short distance upstream, just below the cascades.

THE WIRTHS

The current owners of the Falls Hotel are Dan and Eileen McCarthy. They purchased the 20 bedroom hotel in 1986 and under their stewardship, the hotel has been greatly extended and improved. This Clare hotel now has 140 bedrooms, two restaurants, large bar, conference and banqueting room – with a capacity of up to 350 people – as well as a leisure club containing a gym & swimming pool. The newest edition to the leisure centre is the large spa facility – aptly named the River Spa, with beautiful views over the River Inagh. All this adds to the Falls Hotel’s reputation as one of the finest Clare Hotels.

Dan and Eileen’s children, in recent years, have become involved in the business. Their eldest son Michael is the General Manager and their son John is the Deputy Manager.