Gleeson’s Roscommon is that most authentic of establishments – a historic building lovingly transformed into a town house, restaurant, and café.  Importantly, it’s a family-run business, carefully managed with guests’ comfort and experience always in mind.

Originally built in the 1870s, it served as a Presbyterian manse or minister’s residence.  Today, the classic stone-fronted building remains beautifully proportioned and proudly retains its original façade.  Notably, the stonework is ‘ashlar’ the highest quality of cut stone, typically reserved for important public buildings.

Fittingly, its neighbouring structure, once the Presbyterian Church, now houses Roscommon County Museum and Tourist Office.  As a lasting tribute, a Star of David, honouring the Welshmen who built both buildings, still appears above the front door window.

It was a local doctor’s house in the 1970s, and Eamonn and Mary Gleeson fell in love with it. Years later, when the property came on the market in the 1990s, they immediately saw its potential.  With courage and vision, the entrepreneurial couple took a leap of faith, selling their family home to buy the town-centre property.
At the same time, they converted it into a welcoming coffee shop with guest accommodation upstairs.  In doing so, they also transformed their own lives, leaving the security of teaching for the unpredictable world of hospitality. Nevertheless, they embraced the challenge wholeheartedly and never looked back.  Meanwhile, their three young children, then all under 7, soon became part of the family business as soon as they were able.

Gleeson’s was immediately popular with locals and its reputation soon grew in Ireland and around the globe. Eamonn and Mary developed the building and the business carefully and respectfully into the thriving boutique hotel, restaurant and café it is today. One cornerstone of Gleeson’s is the consistently exceptional quality of their food, supporting local suppliers at every opportunity. Mary has a regular chef slot on local radio and been invited to do demonstrations at events across the globe. Gleeson’s are particularly proud of their local lamb and are heavily involved in the annual Roscommon Lamb Festival.

The Future of Gleesons is Bright

Cáit, Eamonn and Mary’s only daughter, loved hospitality from an early age. After school and at weekends she helped out,
learning the business from the bottom up (though she admits cheffing is best left to the experts). The natural progression was to study Hotel Management and gain experience in other establishments before coming back to Roscommon and Gleeson’s. Today as part of the family’s succession plan she has taken over from her parents as Proprietor/ General Manager and is proudly steering the family business into its fourth decade.

Local Commitment

Gleeson’s is totally enmeshed with the local community and are enthusiastic supporters of everything to do with Roscommon from The Rossies GAA, to all manner of sporting teams and events as well as festivals and concerts. Mary helps beautify the town by planting flowers and greenery. Cáit is active in the Chamber of Commerce and Eamonn was heavily involved in twinning Roscommon Town with Chartrettes, outside Paris. Eamonn is past president of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club.

Gleeson’s Roscommon is special; it is beautifully appointed yet comfortable and welcoming to all. At Gleeson’s the ‘fáilte’ is genuine. Every team member cares deeply about their guests and the experience they have. They’ve retained all that’s best about the old traditional hospitality values and blended them seamlessly with all the conveniences a visitor could desire. The Gleeson family are at the heart of the business and their core values permeate every aspect of it.