Case Study - Hospitality & Bar Management

Dara Cruise - General Manager, The Ice House Ballina

Having earned his stripes in a successful family pub business, Dara decided to embark on a career in the Hospitality industry and completed the Diploma in Hotel & Catering Management which has seen him rise to General Management level by the tender age of 28.

Dara joined the Burlington Hotel in 1997 as a trainee manager working in a number of back of house roles such as Room Service and Kitchen, before moving to front of house.

In 1999, he joined the Fitzwilliam Group at their flagship property in Dublin gaining valuable experience in Procurement and Front Office before being promoted to Assistant Bar Manager where he helped develop and position the bar as the leading cocktail venue in the nation’s capital city. 

In 2001 with the opening of Ireland’s first five star luxury hotel group in Ballsbridge, Dublin, Dara joined the Four Seasons Hotel group in the role as Head Bartender. A keen eye for detail, a passion for the business coupled with a strong work ethic saw Dara progress quickly up the ranks of the world’s leading luxury hotel provider culminating in becoming the manager for the group’s first style bar venture.

A regular haunt of the rich and famous, Dara developed ‘Ice’  into a multi million euro turnover operation establishing the bar to be recognised internationally  as the market leader in Ireland achieved through impeccable service, an original cocktail list and the largest selection of vodkas available in Ireland.

In 2007, Dara embraced his biggest challenge to date and opened the Ice House, a unique boutique hotel in the West of Ireland where he currently responsible for the daily operation of the hotel including its 50 strong staff, sales, marketing and finance.

The hotel has since won numerous coveted awards including best newcomer and best hotel restaurant amongst many others.

Dara identifies that to be successful in the industry is to be determined, stay focused and work hard. The hours are long but success is only around the corner and can be achieved at a young age with the right attitude. ‘Gain international experience and work at the top level to learn all the tricks of the trade before setting out on your own, the opportunities are endless and if you enjoy working with people and diversity in you daily life, you will love the hospitality business,’ says Dara.