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Kevin and Catherine Dundon are settling into life as empty nesters after helping their youngest child move to the UK for university. The couple, who run Dunbrody House Hotel in Arthurstown, Co Wexford, say the house — and the hotel — will feel different now that all three children are based abroad at least for part of the year.
Quiet house, mixed emotions
After more than 30 years of marriage and raising three children, the Dundons have watched two daughters build lives away from home. This month the family’s youngest, their son Tom, left for university in the UK, leaving Kevin and Catherine with an empty house for the first time in decades.
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Catherine described the trip as emotional. She told reporters she drove their son across the sea, “with a full car,” and returned on the ferry with the vehicle emptied of luggage and the house noticeably quieter.
Home for Christmas
Despite the change, the Dundons are already planning a family return for the holidays. They expect all three children to be home in December, when Dunbrody’s seasonal atmosphere becomes a focal point for the family.
For the couple, the hotel’s character matters at this time of year. Catherine said Dunbrody is built for festive gatherings — with open fires and communal spaces that make a difference for relatives who only visit occasionally.
Award night and a busy season ahead
On Tuesday, Catherine attended Georgina Campbell’s 2026 Irish Food and Hospitality Awards, where Dunbrody’s dining venue received recognition. The hotel’s Champagne Seafood Bar and Terrace was named Smart-Casual Dining Venue of the Year, and Catherine collected the award on behalf of the team.
Running Dunbrody House keeps the couple occupied. Catherine reflected on their long career there, noting the satisfaction of serving generations of guests — both loyal regulars and newcomers — and saying the work remains a joy after three decades.
