Cowen Opens Fitzpatrick Hotel

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Irish Voice News

Cowen Opens Fitzpatrick Hotel

October 1, 2008

By April Drew

TAOISEACH (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen was on hand on Thursday, September 25 to officially open the newly renovated lobby and bar at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel on Lexington Avenue in New York.

Fitzpatrick’s on Lexington Avenue, sister hotel to the Fitzpatrick Grand Central, the only Irish hotel group in New York, has become an even more popular hub for business people and tourists alike after a two year, $9.2 million renovation to the whole hotel, top to bottom.

Knowing it would be an honor to have Cowen officially open a section of the hotel, Fitzpatrick asked if he could dip into the taoiseach’s already busy schedule (Cowen was in town for the day for a host of meetings at the UN) to cut the red ribbon in the lobby.

Cowen, who always stays at the hotel when in town and this time was no exception, gladly accepted the invitation and at 4:30 p.m. he stepped through the hotel doors onto a large black rug that spills over a classic cream tiled floor in the hotel lobby.

A striking feature that Cowen himself commented on while officially opening the hotel lobby and bar is an old Irish post box which is attached to a wall in the lobby.

Fitzpatrick told friends and dignitaries who gathered to witness the cutting of the ribbon that a renovation was necessary to “take care of our customers and to ensure they keep coming back.”

The hotel, which Fitzpatrick has owned for 16 years, is home to many Irish dignitaries, including Irish presidents, while visiting New York either on business or in a personal capacity.

Cowen congratulated Fitzpatrick for “keeping the Irish feel” to their new hotel.

After a few minutes of congratulating Fitzpatrick and his staff for the hospitality they show him and his family when visiting New York, Cowen cut the red ribbon and officially declared the new renovation completed and open for business.

Speaking to the Irish Voice after the ribbon cutting ceremony, Fitzpatrick said he was very proud to have the Irish leader open the new hotel.

“Having the taoiseach open the hotel is just fantastic. We can’t get any better than that,” he smiled.

On the possibility of a third hotel, Fitzpatrick said he is always looking for a suitable property, but the way the market is at the moment it will be after Christmas before anything is decided.

“But it will definitely be in Manhattan,” he added.

General Manager of the hotel Patrick Leyden told the Irish Voice that it was an honor for him and his staff at the hotel of have the taoiseach officially open up the bar and lobby.

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