Situated in the heart of Dublin and owned by Ballinode brothers Donie and Emmet McDermott, Dublin Citi Hotel prides itself on being "The Monaghan Hotel" in the capital. A trip to Croke Park or just a day out in Dublin wouldn't be the same for Monaghan folk without a visit to the Dublin Citi Hotel on Dame Street. Since its opening four years ago, the popular city centre establishment has become a "home from home" for both the Monaghan football team and supporters alike. It has also become the venue of choice for the Dublin footballers after the major matches involving them at Croke Park. "We are extremely proud of our links with both Monaghan and the GAA," says Ballinode native Donie McDermott, who runs the Dublin Citi Hotel along with his brother Emmet. "The hotel has been a revelation since we opened for business four years ago and its location in the heart of the city centre has undoubtedly played a big part in its success. Our location on Dame Street beside the Central Bank means we are just a stone's throw away from Trinity College, Temple Bar, Grafton Street and O'Connell Street to name but a few, and just 15 minute's walk from Croke Park. "It's the ideal base for a GAA supporter and anytime Monaghan are playing in Croke Park, both the team and their fans can be assured of a very warm and special welcome," he adds. Given their close business ties with Seamus McEnaney, the McDermotts were delighted to welcome back the Monaghan manager and his players to the Dublin Citi Hotel after their championship showdowns with Kerry at GAA headquarters in each of the past two years. "We own another company called Absolute Retail Control, and we've been doing business with the McEnaney Group for many years, so it was great to have Seamus and the Monaghan team back after the games against Kerry," Donie says. "Seamus has done a magnificent job with the team over the past four years and both he and the players are a credit to the county. I'll always remember how devastated the players were after they lost the 2007 All-Ireland quarter-final to Kerry by a point. "Previous Monaghan teams would have been delighted to have run Kerry so close, but the current crop expect to win and aren't prepared to settle for second best. You could only admire their ambition and their desire to be the best at what they do." Completely redeveloped and re-branded following its purchase by the McDermotts in 2004, the Dublin Citi Hotel offers guests comfortable, modern accommodation and is renowned for its great food and genuine Irish hospitality. Citi Bar & Venue is the newest in cosmopolitan nightlife in Dublin's trendy Temple Bar district. Boasting 30 bedrooms, the hotel encompasses the very best in modern comfort and has set a new standard for both the leisure and business traveller. This is a stylish and contemporary hotel that embodies the best in Irish hospitality. Citi Bar & Venue provides everything you need to let your hair down after a hard day's work or just a night out on the town. The owners have created a venue contrast with old, new and contemporary styles. Citi Bar & Venue has 14 big screens which show all the big GAA, rugby and soccer matches all year round. This four-floor hotel also incorporates Fever Nite Club which brings a world of live music, dance and performing arts together, all of which makes it a great entertainment venue. Also boasting excellent conference facilities, Dublin Citi Hotel is an ideal venue for holding private meetings, conferences and product launches. What really sets Dublin Citi Hotel apart is the quality of its food and the fact that it's available on all floors. Donie explains: "We have an extensive food venue available on all floors which means that our guests aren't shuffled off to the restaurant when they want to eat. If they're in the bar or just relaxing in some other part of the hotel, they don't have to leave their seats as the food will brought to them." Special rates apply for all the major events in Dublin, including concerts, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin City Marathon, New Year's Eve and, of course, the big GAA weekends in Croke Park. For those not that familiar with Dublin, Dublin Citi Hotel's highly qualified staff can provide them with information and directions to all the leading tourist spots, while guests can also receive all the information they need on the renowned Monaghan poet Patrick Kavanagh and the places he frequented when he lived in the capital. "As Monaghan people, we are very proud of Patrick Kavanagh and his work," Donie adds. Donie is in no doubt that his and Emmet's experience of dealing with hotels through their other company, Absolute Retail Control (ARC), has played its part in helping them to become successful hoteliers themselves. Based in Sandyford, Dublin 18, ARC was established in 1995 by the brothers to provide the hospitality, retail and catering industry in Ireland with touch-screen Points of Sale, Stock Control and Cash Management Systems and solutions that are extremely reliable and user-friendly. ARC provides it clients with a system tailored to suit their specific requirements. This has resulted in ARC establishing themselves as market leaders in their field. Both Donie and Emmet played football with Scotstown up to under 21 level, while their other brothers Ronnie, Roger and Fergus also represented the club. Indeed, Ronnie and Roger wore the county jersey on a number of occasions. Donie has been highly impressed with Monaghan's progress over the past few years and feels they are not all that far away from achieving major honours. "They have come on in leaps and bounds under Seamus McEnaney and are now at the stage where they are talking about challenging for Ulster and All-Ireland titles. They have been unlucky over the past two years in that they have come up against a very strong Kerry team "If they had got over them in 2007, when they really should have, they might have gone on to win the All-Ireland. This year, Monaghan suffered two early setbacks by missing out on league promotion and then losing to Fermanagh in the Ulster championship, but they bounced back well and were again unfortunate to lose to Kerry. "I think we'll see the real strength of this Monaghan team in 2009 and we're already looking forward to seeing them and all the supporters visiting us at the Dublin Citi Hotel where they can be assured of some Monaghan craic before and after matches," he concludes. Tweet

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