Meet the characters of Ashford Castle: Paul Coyne

Paul Coyne, our wonderful bartender, begins our series of stories exploring the people who make up the very fabric of the Castle. He began his journey at Ashford in the mid-80s and has spent the last 37 years working here…

What is your role at Ashford Castle?

Bartender.

What was your background before you worked at Ashford Castle?

My very first job after leaving school was at Ashford Castle.

What was your first experience at Ashford Castle?

My first experience at Ashford Castle was meeting Mark Nolan (Assistant General Manager) and Marie O’Connell (Operations Manager).

What were your thoughts when you saw the Castle for the first time after the restoration?

Absolutely fabulous! I could not believe my eyes with the number of changes, but I was so relieved that the castle had still kept its original wonderful character.

Tell us something about Ashford that people might not know.

The fountain in front of The Castle is pumped from Cong Village and not from The Ashford Estate.

What makes Ashford so special?

The team that work here are like family.

What does a typical day at Ashford look like for you?

I am always very busy! There are always new faces to see and tell all about Ashford Castle, and no two days are the same.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Meeting new people every day.

What do you do to relax when you are not working?

Walking and cycling.

What three words would you use to describe Ashford?

Special, memorable and classy.

What is your proudest achievement from your time at Ashford Castle? 

The fact that I have worked at Ashford for 37 years.