Cecily Gallagher (née Huggard) (b. 1922) (part 2)

Track 1: Cecily Gallagher recalls her sister, Hilda Huggard, who was Managing Director of The Lake Hotel, Killarney from 1941, when the premises was purchased by her parents. She describes her visits to the hotel with her parents and the leisure activities, including tennis, which were available to guests. The Hilliard family, former owners of the hotel, remained great friends of her parents after the change of ownership. Trips on the Killarney Lakes, which were loved by her father, and her mother’s real enthusiasm for gardening are described. Track 2: Her brother, Noel Huggard’s sale of Ashford Castle Hotel is discussed and she explains that he had undertaken his training at the Imperial Hotel in Cork, and for a short period in the UK. His retirement following the sale of Ashford Castle Hotel and his sad passing not long afterwards are recalled. Track 3: She remembers the Benner family of Benner’s Hotel, Tralee, where her mother trained in the hotel business, and she explains that the Benner and the Huggard families became great friends. She discusses her married life in Tralee and her husband’s medical practice in the town. Track 4: Cecily Gallagher gives an overview of each of the family-owned hotels and she mentions her closeness to her late brother Noel. The extraordinary energy displayed by her parents over their working lives is also described.