Cork Hotels

Ettienne Van Vrede

Ettienne studied Hotel Management at the Cape Town Hotel School in Granger Bay, in his native South Africa, where he graduated top of his class. After gaining experience in renowned world class hotels such as the Radisson Cape Town and Hunters Country House, Ettienne decided to make the move to Ireland and joined the team at Hayfield Manor in May 2003. A desire to provide guests with service that exceeds their expectations is what drives Ettienne as General Manager, and he is constantly searching for new ideas and methods to ensure that guest satisfaction is maximised.

For Ettienne, Hayfield Manor is not simply a hotel, but a home away from home. He delights in meeting with guests personally, and in doing his utmost to make their stay  memorable. Ettienne credits the level of service amongst the team at Hayfield Manor as the reason for the many awards the hotel has received in his time here, with a highlight being the Hotel & Catering Review’s Gold Medal Awards 2011, where Hayfield Manor was awarded not only the Best Five Star Hotel Award but also the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Excellence.

When he is not working in the hotel, Ettienne enjoys spending time with his wife Annemarie and daughter Marie Claire, and walking his two huskies, Hugo and Heidi, all of whom keep him very busy. He also enjoys gardening, when the weather permits!

Annemarie Scally

Annemarie is the eldest daughter of Joe and Margaret Scally. Having been immersed in the hotel industry from an early age, Annemarie took up the position of Deputy Manager at Hayfield Manor in 2006. Prior to that, she earned a degree in Interior Design and managed her own business AMS Interior Design. 

Taking on the role of designer for several projects throughout the hotel, such as Perrotts Garden Bistro, Orchids Restaurant and The Beautique Spa, Annemarie found she enjoyed working with the team and indeed the guests, and has decided to remain at the hotel on a permanent basis.

Annemarie’s design training means she has a constant eye on the look and feel of Hayfield Manor, so don’t be surprised if the furniture has been rearranged overnight! In her free time Annemarie enjoys spending time with her husband Ettienne and daughter Marie Claire.

Seamus Crotty

Seamus holds a Masters of Science (MSc) in Strategic Management and Planning. He completed this degree in The Michael Smurfit Business School at UCD.  Prior to this, he was awarded an honours degree in Business and Hospitality Management, the culmination of four years study at Cork Institute of Technology and Athlone Institute of Technology.

Originally joining the Hayfield Manor Team in 2006 on a placement from college, Seamus gained managerial experience in all departments within the hotel. To embellish his experience at five star level, Seamus subsequently spent a period at the Park Hotel in Kenmare as Assistant Manager.

Hi initial affiliation and affection for both Hayfield and the rebel county resulted in a return to Cork on completion of his masters. Seamus was delighted to resume his responsibilites at Hayfield in 2010. Since then he has continued to embrace and encourage the hotel ethos of exceeding guest expectation. A passion for superior service and welcoming guests from near and far, ensure that Seamus is perfectly situated in his current role as Deputy GM. In his own words, Seamus "loves that every day brings the opportunity to meet new and return guests as well as the prospect of generating new avenues of enhancing our service".

Lisa Leahy

Lisa graduated from Shanon College of Hotel Management and completed her Masters degree from Middlesex University. She worked in the UK for 11 years in various sales roles including Sales Director at the Forte Crest Heathrow and at the Shaw Park Plaza in central London, before joining the team at Hayfield Manor in 2007 as Director of Sales.

Lisa is especially interested in online marketing and developing long term relationships with customers. She is driven to improve sales and the customer experience as a whole at Hayfield Manor.

Her two year old daughter keeps Lisa busy, and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading good books and learning new things.

Karen Fleming

Karen holds an honours degree in Hotel & Catering Management from GMIT. She has recently complemented her educational achievements by graduating top of her class with a first class Masters in Management & Marketing from neighbouring UCC.

A passion for travel has granted Karen the opportunity to combine career and culture with many years spent working in reputable and award winning establishments both at home and abroad.

Upon relocating back to her native Cork in 2010, Karen was delighted to join the team at Hayfield Manor.  A love of meeting people and a genuine desire to provide guests with an exceptional service encounter makes Hayfield the ideal work environment. Karen considers it “an inspiring experience to work in such a beautiful property and with a team of like-minded hospitality enthusiasts”.

When not planning foreign adventures, Karen loves to ski, read, dine out and catch up with family and friends.

Graeme Cambell

With a career spanning 16 years, Graeme joined the team at Hayfield Manor in 2006. Prior to this, he held the position of Executive Sous Chef at the 5 star Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny where he was part of the successful hotel opening team. A highlight of Graeme’s career was when The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, where he spent 4 years asSenior Sous Chef, won the Best Small Leading Hotel award during his time there in 2004.

Graeme has a passion for fresh ingredients, sharp knives and the occasional game of football. “Invariably our guests share my passion for top class local produce. We work with the freshest ingredients from Cork’s many wonderful artisan suppliers, to make sure that the food our guests’ experience during their stay will make a lasting impression, for all the right reasons!”

Michelle Donovan

Michelle holds a Graduateship from the Marketing Institute of Ireland, completed at Cork Institute of Technology. Southern Region Graduate of the Year, and All Ireland Marketing Communications student of the year, her success in her studies led to her appointment as Sales & Marketing Executive in Hayfield Manor, before being promoted to her current role of Meetings & Events Coordinator.

Ingrid Strassburg

Ingrid studied at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, South Africa, where she graduated with a Diploma in Hospitality Management. Deciding to take some time to see the world, Ingrid spent time in Chicago, and Hawaii, before visiting Ireland. She immediately developed an affinity to Ireland and the people (despite the weather!) and took a position with the Reception Team at Hayfield Manor in 2006 before joining the Reservations team.

Ingrid enjoys building a rapport with our guests and is delighted to see them coming back time and again. Always on hand for babysitting, she loves getting to know all our Junior Guests, and will make sure there is always plenty of milk and cookies for them!  

In her free time, Ingrid enjoys baking delicious treats for her colleagues, running marathons, swimming, theatre and film.

Theresa Brosnan

Theresa holds an honors degree in Hotel and Catering Management from GMIT. While studying she enjoyed the highlight of a year's work placement in France. On completion, she joined the team at the prestigious 5 star Dromoland Castle, where she spent a year and half before wanderlust took her to Australia and New Zealand. After spending two years down under, she returned to Ireland and joined the Reservations team at Hayfield Manor.

Theresa has been part of the Hayfield Manor family since 2008, and enjoys the atmosphere of the hotel, and the positive attitude of the team. 

In her free time, Theresa enjoys travelling, music and entertainment, and interior decorating.

John Richardson

Service with a smile is guaranteed in The Manor Bar, with John and his team on hand throughout the day. John has been a member of the Hayfield Manor team since the doors first opened in 1996 - he is now part of the foundation! Prompt and efficient service, and always happy to spend time conversing with guests, John is very popular with guests.

Niamh Whelton

Niamh holds a Diploma in Hotel & Catering Management from  CIT and an Honors Degree in Hospitality Management from AIT. Niamh held positions in prestigious properties such as Westin Hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and Dublin, Sheraton Fota Island and the Trident Hotel, before joining the team at Hayfield Manor. 

Niamh takes pride in her role of Accommodation Manager, and is constantly searching for ways to improve the comfort of Hayfield Manor’s guests, with no request too big or too small. She enjoys working closely with her team, who share her passion and pride, and loves to see guests returning to Hayfield Manor again.

Niamh’s two young sons keep her very busy in her spare time, and she also enjoys watching sports, cooking, baking and honing her skills in sugar craft.