The Post: Hotel proprietor/bar owner, The Portaferry Hotel & Dumigans’ Bar
The Post Holder: Mary Arthurs
HOW I BECAME A HOTEL PROPRIETOR
No two days are ever the same for hotel owner Mary Arthurs.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I started out studying accountancy and after I realised it wasn’t for me I headed out into the world of work and worked in pubs for several years before moving into insurance. Insurance was my home until I became a mum and took a break for a couple of years. It was at this time that we acquired Dumigans’ Bar, which I worked in and managed for two years. I still manage the bar, but in 2016 we reopened The Portaferry Hotel which I now run along with my husband, Cahal.
What was your favourite subject at school?
History and English – my teacher, Mrs Donegan was amazing. She made the classes fascinating, I remember her reading sections of text and she would jump up and speak in different accents. Looking back it was a vocation for her, she was excellent at her job but she really did love it.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I tried. I didn’t get the course I wanted so accepted what was offered to me but I failed my first year of accountancy in Carlow Institute of Technology. Ten years later I achieved a Certificate in Insurance, which I studied for whilst working in Hughes Insurance. I completed some short marketing courses and a secretarial course also.
How did you get into your area of work?
Honestly, no idea; right person, right place, right time. I can truly say that I love what I do, no day is ever the same and it’s lovely to be dealing with people from all over the world. Our son was three years old and the twins were only a few months old when we opened the hotel, so it was a bit of a rollercoaster. When Cahal and I look back now we can’t remember how we decided to do it!
Is this what you always wanted to do?
No, I wanted to study history and be a journalist.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
With hindsight, we took a big risk, but we are so passionate about Portaferry and truly believe it has so much to offer. We maybe were a bit naïve, with not having experience we were totally unaware of the challenges we would face however the risk is paying off and we are enjoying what we do.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
In this industry there are many more traditional routes than I took, but I feel the best way to achieve your goals are to work your way up, we offer training with SERC, which allow you to train whilst also earning a living.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
You must be sociable; it’s very important to be able to speak to everyone. Manners are very important in life and I think if you can be pleasant to all you will get on.
What does a typical day entail?
Mid-week I am mostly office based. I look after all of our events and promotions. I spend most days in reception/office and at weekends I’ll be on front of house – meeting and greeting. However curve balls arrive on a daily basis and its all great fun.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The most talked about thing now is managing a work to life balance – with three young children this is the most challenging side of the job. Cahal and I both also find it hard to not talk about work at home, we try our best not to, however.
Why is what you do important?
The Portaferry Hotel is the heart of the community, we are so proud that we have created a hotel that attracts customers from all over the world. This is our business and we want it to progress and be successful and to continue to grow.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Just go for it, try it out, work hard, there is so much variety in the tourism/hotel industry that I really believe there is a sector for everyone.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I would love to own a shoe shop – so I could wear them all myself!
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Wear more sensible shoes.
Describe your ideal day off.
I should say spending time with the kids however a spa day would be bliss.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Choose what you do with passion because unless you enjoy what you do you will never truly succeed at it. Some of us are lucky enough to get paid to do something that we love.