A top Donegal hotel is set to feature in a fly-on-the-wall TV series, we can reveal.
The Shandon Hotel & Spa confirmed the TG4 show, filmed over the past year, will air on the popular Irish language channel next month.
The documentary-makers chronicled the re-opening of the hotel at Marble Hill outside Dunfanaghy.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing the series,” confirmed Shandon General Manager Carolynne Harrison.
“The TV crews were here for months to get footage for four 30-minute programmes so we can’t wait to see how it all ends up.
“We are hoping to do a wee preview with staff early next month before the broadcast at the end of October.
“It will document how under new owners here the Shandon Hotel & Spa has not just risen from the ashes after it closed down but has re-opened, re-furbished and expanded under a great new team.
Shandon manager Carolynne Harrison
“We’ve had our best summer ever in terms of visitors and the weather certainly helped with that.”
Depending on viewing figures, TG4 may well be back for a second series.
“We don’t know yet if that will happen but we would certainly be open to the idea,” said Carolynne.
“But we are recruiting for new staff at the moment so anyone who does land a job here might end up in a second series next year.
“We’ve recently opened a brand new luxury hairdressing salon in our spa so we’re looking for staff for there as well as in the hotel itself across a number of different areas.
“New members of staff may well feature on a second series on TG4!”
Carolynne says the new recruitment drive is a result of the success of the hotel and tourism in Donegal.
“Traditionally the hotel closed this time of the year for the winter but thanks to the Wild Atlantic Way we are open all year round,” she said.
“We have staff here who began at entry level and who have worked their way up to management positions so there is a great career path for those who want that.”
Some of those staff have also appeared on a different TV channel – YouTube!
Added Carolynne: “We uploaded a number of videos from our team leaders talking about life and work here at the Shandon. It’s great to share their experiences online.”
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