Hospitality is in Aaron Mansworth’s DNA. Born into Mansworth’s Bar in Cobh, run by his family since 1897, he was collecting glasses by the age of 10 and pulling pints soon after. A career in hospitality was a natural path for the proud Cobh man, whose journey has taken him to top hotels around the world, including the Waldorf and The Carlyle in New York, where he met three US presidents.
Back home in Ireland, he’s met many more famous faces, but he’s quick to say that everyone who walks through the doors of his hotels is treated equally.
Passionate about his work, his family – including his wife and two sons – and his roots, Aaron is managing director of Trigon Hotels. He oversees The Metropole, Cork Airport Hotel, and Cork International Hotel with a team of nearly 300, and is a true asset to Cork and his beloved hometown of Cobh.
Reflecting on his career, Aaron speaks warmly about the people behind the business, describing his team at Trigon as a second family:
“The teams at the three hotels really do feel like family. Each hotel has its own personality, and they all deliver top-class service,” he says. “Take the International, for example – Carmel, Kylie and Sarah have been there longer than me. I always say I inherited them or, as they say to me, they inherited me,” he laughs.
“In The Metropole, we’ve staff like Martin the house porter, with 44 years of service, and others have 30-plus. That kind of knowledge and loyalty is what hospitality is all about. We also have two amazing housekeepers. Housekeeping might not seem glamorous, but to me, it’s the backbone of the hotel and we’re fortunate to have amazing accommodation teams.
“I started at the International in 2009, in the middle of the economic downturn when the hotel went into receivership. At the time, I was splitting my week between the International and Parknasilla in Sneem, another great experience with great people.
“The International was bought in 2011, and soon after, we added the Airport Hotel, then the Metropole. It’s been an incredible journey, going from managing director to group MD.”
Growing up in Mansworth’s Bar in Cobh, Aaron was the only one of three children drawn to hospitality. “My brother and sister went different routes, but I was always drawn to it,” he says. “Mansworth’s had been in the family since 1897. I was working in New York when my dad gave me the choice to take it over or he’d sell it. I didn’t feel ready to come home, and to be fair, bar licences were still valuable then, so it was a good time for him to sell. A small, family-run bar like that could consume you, he worked seven days a week, which was the norm back then.”
Aaron says he learned so much from that pub. “My dad always said the bar had to be spotless, the pint perfect, the fire lit, and people made to feel safe and welcome. That’s the core of hospitality. Back then, the Navy, Irish Steel, the dockyard and maritime all brought business to 40-plus pubs in the area. People worked hard and didn’t have much, including us, so when they came in for a few pints, it had to be right or they’d go elsewhere. Growing up in that environment was the best education I could’ve had.”
He admits it was tough to step away. “Yes, I had some guilt for not taking over the business. I’m not a big drinker, but I still love going back into Mansworth’s for a pint. It’s emotional, many of the same customers from when I was 10 or 11 collecting glasses are still there. They joke they put me through college. But I know it was the right decision for both of us to let it go.”
While Aaron has worked all over the world, he started out closer to home. “I worked as a chef in the Commodore in Cobh and later in Cork. I had no real grá for it, so I decided to concentrate on front of house, but understanding kitchens has been a big advantage.”
He went on to study at the internationally recognised Shannon College of Hotel Management. His second year was spent in Switzerland, and during a summer back in Ireland, he was placed at Marlfield House in Wexford.
“While I was there, it was taken over by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks during the filming of Saving Private Ryan. It’s also where I met my wife Pauline, who was also on placement.”
When asked if he was star-struck, Aaron responds, “Spielberg and Hanks were lovely. But whether it’s a Hollywood star or a US president – and I met Bill Clinton and George Bush Junior and Senior during my time at the Waldorf – the key is treating every guest the same. That’s the heart of it, creating memorable experiences, no matter who walks through the door.”
From one institution, Mansworth’s in Cobh, to another – the 128 year-old Metropole Hotel, Aaron understands the value of heritage. “I feel a strong sense of responsibility running the Metropole. During the lobby refurb, we were very mindful of preserving its timeless elegance. It’s more than just a hotel, it belongs to the people of Cork. We’re simply the latest caretakers of a very special legacy.”
Finding a note from 1969, written on the back of wallpaper and signed by four workers during a past refurb, was a powerful reminder of all the people who’ve passed through these doors, he says.
“Just last weekend, a couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary here, having married at the Metropole. I can only imagine what it felt like for them to walk through those doors again five decades later.
“The Victorian Quarter is also a great source of pride. When I was a kid, all I remember about this area was going to the panto with the scouts and the Uptown Grill. It’s amazing to see how far it’s come.”
Though the group’s three hotels are close by, they serve very different markets. “The International has always been a destination hotel that just happens to be near the airport,” Aaron says. During Covid, they focused on the family market, adding a family concierge. With larger rooms than most city hotels, it now hosts everything from weddings to graduations, often for the same families. “It’s lovely seeing couples return for their kids’ big days,” he says.
The Airport Hotel is a smaller, classic stopover, currently also housing Ukrainian people.
Staffing has always been a challenge in the hotel industry, but Aaron says things are improving. “It’s definitely getting better. Pay has come up, there are clear career paths now, and a lot of the old issues like split shifts are gone. The hours can still be unsociable, but that’s part of the job, just like it is in nursing or the guards.”
“We created a certified Aspire leadership programme with local education boards to help staff grow from entry-level to management,” he says.
“Hospitality is the greatest industry in the world if you’re willing to put in the effort. I get such a buzz seeing someone go from kitchen porter to head chef, or a nervous waiter becoming a confident duty manager. It’s like watching a family grow.”
Aaron acknowledges that having his wife Pauline in the same industry has been a real advantage. “When we moved back from New York, we ran a hotel in Cavan, busy with weddings. I was GM, Pauline was the wedding coordinator, and we really came to understand each other’s roles. In the early days especially, you put in long hours and make sacrifices.
“When you’re building a career, you can’t always have it both ways if you want to be your best. That said, I’ve always made it a priority to be there for the important moments, our boys’ games, training, parent-teacher meetings. Pauline has the patience of a saint and is a huge support.”
As for his two sons following in his footsteps? “One’s working a summer job in the industry now. I could see him more in tourism than hospitality, but he’ll make up his own mind. I just hope they both find careers they love as much as I love mine.”
When asked about career highlights, the naturally chatty Aaron has to pause. There have been so many. “I’ve been lucky,” he says. “But one that stands out was the day we had to close the hotels during Covid. We had 273 people on the books, including myself, and no idea what was coming. It was the toughest day of my career. But bringing 273 people back about a year later was a real celebration.”
He’s also passionate about working with the community, through team sponsorships, back-to-work programmes, and the sensory garden at Horizon (formerly Cope), where, together with the kids, the team grows herbs and fruit.
Moving back to Cobh was the best decision the family made, says Aaron, adding that it’s a fantastic place to raise kids, with great schools and clubs, and everything from gymnastics and rowing to football and tennis. “I always say there was no better place to be locked down during Covid, the walks and views within 5km were stunning.”
Cobh has grown but kept its strong sense of community. “Walking around, I can still tell you who supports which football team from old bar chats. I played football and tennis growing up, and taking up tennis again has been great, bumping into people I played with 20 or 30 years ago. We’re also lucky to have Cobh Ramblers, a League of Ireland club. It’s a very special town.”
Finally, when asked for three wishes one for his city, one for his hotels, and one for himself, Aaron answers:
Cork
There are big plans for Cork, from the events centre to the Docklands. With so many exciting projects lined up, it would be great to see them happen sooner rather than later. Imagine it all coming together, light rail from Bishopstown to Mahon, water taxis, the transformation of the Port. I just hope progress isn’t stalled by bureaucracy and that Cork becomes an even greater city. I always say I’m from the capital of Cork (Cobh), and Cork is the capital of Ireland. We believe it and that’s what I love about Cork people.
Professional Life
That we continue to grow. Covid slowed things down, but we’re still focused on expanding. I hope the hotels remain places where people can develop and that the strong sense of family within the group continues.
Personal Life
I’ve been very lucky with an amazing wife, great kids, and a job I love. So my wish is one I’ll share with the people of Cobh. I’d love to see Cobh Ramblers win the Premier Division and qualify for Europe.
For further information on Trigon Hotels, see here.
