Meet the Mernaghs

We have been welcoming guests to our home for over fifty years, creating a home away from home for all who stay here.

Kathleen Mernagh first began taking guests in 1972 supplementing her family’s income from their dairy farm. Along with her husband, Jack, she raised her five boys here, running the guesthouse while Jack ran the 230-acre farm. Through the years, Kathleen brought the Bed and Breakfast accommodation to five-star standard with both the AA and Failte Ireland. These achievements were due to her unwavering warm welcome for her guests, attention to detail and customer service combined with continued refurbishment of the property. Kathleen and Jack built a first-class experience at Killiane Castle, providing unrivalled hospitality to all the guests that stayed with them throughout the years.

Kathleen’s efforts were rewarded with many accolades such as Guest Accommodation of the Year at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards in 2008. In 2010 and 2017, the family were very proud to receive the Georgina Campbell Farmhouse of the Year award, and in 2022 the Hideaway of the Year award.

Kathleen’s son, Paul, alongside his wife Patrycja, joined Kathleen in the business in 2014. Both bring extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, inheriting that same innate passion that Kathleen has for what they do, thus ensuring guests continue to experience the same first-class hospitality at Killiane that they always have.

Graduating from the Shannon College of Hotel Management in 2003, Paul Mernagh built an impressive career at International five-star hotels such as the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and renowned Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. He returned to Wexford where he was Hotel Manager at Whites Hotel before becoming General Manager at Dunbrody Country House Hotel. Paul returned to Killiane in 2014, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience along with his natural flair for hospitality.

Patrycja Mernagh is a graduate of Ballymaloe Cookery School, Patrycya’s cookery and baking skills enhance the reputation Killiane Castle has for excellent local produce served at breakfast time. Daily Patrycja produces wonderful breads, scones, biscuits, fruit and savoury dishes that elevate Killiane’s breakfast menu to a new level. Patrycja has honed her skills and developed some new green-fingers, as she and Paul together continue to nurture and grow the Killiane Castle Experience created by Kathleen.

Killiane, Drinagh, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Y35 E1NC | info@killianecastle.com |+353 (0)53 9158 885