PHOTOS: Dott Remembered At Swish Party To Launch New Rose Hotel

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Domnick Walsh www.dwalshphoto.ie

Dick and Eibhlin Henggeler in front of the newly rebranded The Rose Hotel. Photo by Domnick Walsh

THE Henggelers sure know how to throw a party.

After months of work, the new-look Rose Hotel was officially launched on Friday as owners Dick and Eibhlin Henggeler cut the tape in the morning and a reception with a distinct touch of class was held later that evening.

Around 200 invited guests got to see the results of the refurbishments and all agreed the place looks absolutely stunning.

In the newly renovated function room, guests enjoyed music from ‘The Three O’s’ while a range of delicious canapés, cocktails and champagne were brought around to guests. As one guest said to TraleeToday.ie, “there’s a bit of panaché about the evening”.

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Dáithí O Sé was the MC for the evening and spoke with great fondness about Dick and Eibhlin’s daughter Dorothy (Dott) who passed away from a brain tumour in 2014.

“What a beautiful hotel. Dott’s bar is like something you’d see in Manhattan. It’s welcoming, it’s lovely, it’s classy. Just like the lady it’s named after,” said Dáithí.

The Rose of Tralee host got a bit emotional as he recalled a story about when Dott was very ill.

Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan, Marie Donnellan, Daithi O Se and Sile Ni Dheargain at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan, Marie Donnellan, Daithi O Se and Sile Ni Dheargain at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

“When my wife was pregnant she was corresponding with Dott’s mother Eibhlin. We were asking about Dott and Eibhlin was asking about Rita. There was a time when poor Dott was in her last week and Eibhlin said into Dott’s ear that Rita had a baby boy. And Dott gave a big smile. That’s a story that’ll stay with us and the Henggelers from now on,” said Dáithí.

Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan also spoke about how Dott’s spirit will live on in the hotel.

“I wasn’t one of the lucky people who knew and loved Dott, but I feel that our paths have crossed as we have shared that inexplicable journey that is the Rose of Tralee and I feel Dott is my Rose sister, so I carry her in my heart,” said Elysha.

“It’s more than a hotel because Dorothy’s spirit is going to live on in within these walls, upstairs in the corridors where women from all over the world gather and share this unbelievable journey together, she’s going to live on across the road where dreams come true. She’ll always be felt in the bar when friends, old and new, come together to raise a glass and toast the wonderful things we have in life,” she said.

Eibhlin and Dick Henggeler at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Eibhlin and Dick Henggeler at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Killarney native Eibhlin Henggeler also spoke about her daughter and her legacy.

“Tonight, Dott would probably be arriving in Killarney on the eve of her 30th birthday with an entourage from America. She’d summons them to Charlie Foley’s Bar as she liked to gather people. Today belongs to us all, because all of us have been touched in some way by Dorothy. She’s inspired us all to greatness, to a fun way of living, to love, to kindness and to bringing out the best in one another. Dott didn’t live the life that she expected, she lived the life she loved.”

The applause rang long and loud in her memory and those present had a great time toasting the new hotel. We’re sure Dott would  have approved.

Scroll down for photos (we’ll have many more tomorrow)…

Rose of Tralee 2014 Maria Walsh with Sean Moriarty and Mary Leahy at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Rose of Tralee 2014 Maria Walsh with Sean Moriarty and Mary Leahy at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Sharon O'Mahony, Mags O'Sullivan and Melanie O'Sullivan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Sharon O’Mahony, Mags O’Sullivan and Melanie O’Sullivan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Christine McAuliffe and Tracy O'Sullivan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Christine McAuliffe and Tracy O’Sullivan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Suzan O'Gara and Evelyn Cronly at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Suzan O’Gara and Evelyn Cronly at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Sophie Price and Tim Kelleher at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Sophie Price and Tim Kelleher at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Will Nolan, John O'Donnell and Billy Nolan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Will Nolan, John O’Donnell and Billy Nolan at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Tony, Valerie, Siobheal Keogh and Brian Staunton at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Tony, Valerie, Siobheal Keogh and Brian Staunton at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Fionnbar and Jema Walsh at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Fionnbar and Jema Walsh at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Mags and Sean Kissane at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Mags and Sean Kissane at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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DJ O'Callaghan, Adrienne Heaslip and David Hanbidge at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

DJ O’Callaghan, Adrienne Heaslip and David Hanbidge at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Martin Hoban, George Philip and Dick Spring at the official sreopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Martin Hoban, George Philip and Dick Spring at the official sreopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Billy Leen and Frank Hartnett at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Billy Leen and Frank Hartnett at the official reopening of The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Many more photos tomorrow on TraleeToday.ie

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