Wild Atlantic Way Hotel Creates Recruitment Agency from a Beach Hut for €3m Jobs Drive

The Armada Hotel in County Clare has today announced the creation of more than 100 new jobs and launched an innovative recruitment drive titled ‘The Quest for Ireland’s Best,’ to attract talent from across the island to positions in more than 30 hospitality roles.

The jobs are being created as a result of a €3 million redevelopment plan due for completion in February 2022 at the four star Spanish Point hotel. The renovation project which was placed on hold last year due to the pandemic will see the delivery of a large extension housing ‘Aileens’ - a brand new 90 seater restaurant with its own 100% sustainable energy kitchen; a new ocean bar with an interactive cocktail space; a private dining area for parties of up to 12 guests; and a dedicated space for wedding arrivals with feature bar and panoramic views. The majority of the renovation works will take place in January when the hotel is closed to guests.

In a bold move to facilitate its ‘Quest for Ireland’s Best’ and find the best talent to fill all 100 jobs by February, the ever innovative award winning hotel has even opened its own recruitment agency, with its HQ in a beach hut by the sea at Spanish Point. The Armada is seeking 100 new team members to join them immediately on their “next big adventure”.

The campaign has been developed by brand and creative shop The Brill Building – the award-winning agency headed by Roisin Keown. It is the first work from The Brill Building for their rebrand project for the Armada ‘Life: By the Sea’. The agency won the business without a competitive pitch in Summer 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, hotel owner and managing director, John Burke, who is married to TV personality and well being entrepreneur, Aoibhin Garrihy, said, “We want to find Ireland’s best for our next big adventure. We’re building a world-class extension to give our guests the most authentic experience of life by the coast. That’s what we have to offer as a career too: the chance to work in one of Ireland’s most innovative hotels, offering something few other establishments are facilitating, a healthier approach to working hours, pay and conditions that means our team and their families get to truly enjoy life...by the sea.”

Created with Creative Director Dan Henson the integrated campaign with PR from The Brill Building and partners will see online video, radio, press and social content live from the beach hut promote the nationwide search. The hero film was shot with videographer Johnny Savage and leading underwater cameraman Kevin L Smith, whose work is best known on the Discover Ireland commercials. The Brill Building continues to grow a diverse client roster after a strong showing of awarded work at EFFIES, AIMS, ICADs and Sharks. 

To enable the huge recruitment drive and fill all 100 posts, regular interviews with existing staff and tours of the hotel are promised by the 'Quest for the Best' team to give prospective candidates the best possible introduction to the culture and standards of The Armada. 

Roisin Keown, founder and ECD, The Brill Building, said: “I’ve been a huge admirer of John and all the Armada continue to achieve for some time so we are delighted to be helping them achieve success at a vital time for hospitality. The industry has been through a hard couple of years, but people are ready for some positive news. We wanted to be sure to get the announcement of 100 jobs in the Wildest of the Atlantic Way the kudos it deserves. To do justice to the Armada’s mission to be closer to the sea than anyone else, it simply had to be a beach-based recruitment agency!”