No tears shed as Shelbourne Hotel closes

Never has a workforce looked so happy getting the sack. Smiling, cheering and posing for photographs outside, the Shelbourne's 227-strong hotel and catering army bowed out yesterday. Some of them had worked there for more than 40 years.

"I suppose we're relieved the day has come," said concierge Tony Neary. "There was so much uncertainty we didn't know where we stood, but now we can make plans. I'm going on holidays for four weeks and then I'll review my situation."

The builders were on standby to demolish the rear of the hotel, marking the start of a €40 million "Renaissance-style" renovation due to be completed by September 2006.

Staff recalled the hotel's many celebrity visitors but there was no breaking the code of omerta regarding guests' late-night antics.

"One of the oddest I had was when the mother of a famous popstar took a bit of a turn at one of our functions," recalled banqueting head waiter Timmy Spillane. "He still is a big pop star."

Who was it exactly?

"Oh, I couldn't tell you that," he replied with a scolding glare.

The longest serving member of staff in the hotel, Spillane started out in 1962, at the age of 15, "washing cutlery" under the charge of his father, Claude.

"He was one hard task- master," said Spillane of the former head waiter, who opened the Shelbourne ballroom in 1956. "People who come to the Shelbourne expect high standards."

The blow for staff from the temporary closure has been eased somewhat by an above-par redundancy package. Some may also be rehired, although no promises are being given.

The hotel's general manager Philip Spencer acknowledged the "enormous contribution" of the staff, adding that the refurbishment would remove any doubt about the hotel's five-star rating.

"It was just becoming a little bit tired. Over the years our loyal clients have dropped away. There were new products in the market and you need to be competitive," said the Australian, who moved to the Shelbourne 12 months ago, having worked with Marriott in Asia for six years.

The final customers before yesterday's 1pm closure were Americans Ilona Deborhegyi and David Colbert, who had tea and scones in the Lord Mayor's lounge.

"It was very nice - and complimentary to boot," enthused Colbert, who coincidentally was celebrating his birthday.

"It's in our guide books and on the bus tour," noted Deborhegyi. "I look forward to coming back."

Yesterday, however, was all about the past rather than the future.

On the steps to St Stephen's Green, where combatants in the 1916 Rising were treated for injuries and where Michael Collins once stood, having drafted the 1922 Free State Constitution, veteran doormen Neary, Ray Kaye and Brian Harrison, savoured the nostalgia.

"Who was here? Stanley Matthews, Jimmy Greaves.

"The Rolling Stones stayed for six months here when they were recording an album.

"Julia Roberts, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin.

"John Hurt.

"Only recently, Maureen O'Hara came."

But who was the best tipper? Suddenly the trio froze.

"Not saying," muttered Neary. "They might be back and so might I."