A Century of Kerry Spirit: The Storied History of the Arbutus Hotel

In the bustling heart of Killarney, where the vibrant streets meet the gateway to the National Park, stands the Arbutus Hotel—a sanctuary of Irish hospitality that has remained in the same family for nearly a century.

Established in 1926, the hotel is more than just a place to rest; it is the physical manifestation of a young man’s vision and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Kerry people. The story of the Arbutus begins not in a boardroom, but on the fairgrounds of Killarney in the late 19th century. A young boy named Tim Buckley, from the borderlands of Cork and Kerry, would stand in the market square and gaze at what was then called Russell’s Hotel. He made a quiet, ambitious vow that one day, he would own it.

A Dream Built in New York

To fulfill this dream, Buckley joined the thousands of Irish emigrants who sought their fortune in America. He spent over fifteen years in New York, working tirelessly as a night porter, a bakery hand, and a hackney driver. Every dollar saved was a step closer to his goal. In 1925, he returned to Ireland with his savings and his bride, Julia Daly—a woman whose training at the Ramsgrange Cookery School would become the backbone of the hotel’s reputation for world-class food.

Together, they purchased Russell’s Hotel and, in 1926, renamed it the Arbutus, after the 'Arbutus unedo' or Killarney Strawberry Tree. This rare evergreen, native to the Mediterranean but found wildly in the Killarney woods, symbolized the resilience and unique character Tim wished to instill in his establishment.

The Mastery of Celtic Deco

Architecturally, the Arbutus is a rare gem, celebrated for its 'Celtic Deco' style. Rather than following the minimalist trends of the era, Tim Buckley commissioned a master carpenter named Dan Connor—who had been trained by a master craftsman from the famous German village of Oberammergau—to create bespoke furniture and fittings.

These intricate carvings, which blend the geometric precision of Art Deco with traditional Irish motifs, still adorn the hotel today. This unique aesthetic creates an atmosphere that feels like a refined family home, where antique clocks, stained glass windows, and open turf fires offer a timeless escape from the modern world.

A Legacy of Generations

Over the decades, the hotel has seen three generations of the Buckley family take the helm. From Tim to his son Pat in the 1960s, and later to his grandson Sean and his wife Carol, the hotel has remained a bastion of tradition. It is also the ancestral home of the talented actress Jessie Buckley, who grew up amidst the stories and songs that define the hotel’s social fabric.

At the heart of this culture is Buckley’s Bar, a legendary local 'meeting house.' Here, the tradition of the 'seisiún' thrives, where celebrated musicians often drop in for unamplified, spontaneous performances. With its dark oak panels and the scent of burning peat, the bar remains a place where the art of conversation and storytelling is preserved as carefully as the hotel's 'Celtic Deco' interiors.