It is with great sorrow that we share the very sad news that our colleague and good friend Denis T.C. O’Brien passed away on Wednesday morning. Our Head Concierge, a familiar and well-loved presence to both staff and guests, Denis joined The Shelbourne on 22nd January 2007 and throughout his time he touched countless lives, those of both his co-workers and indeed every visitor who walked through our doors. Denis was steeped in the history of every detail of this hotel as well as knowing all about the contemporary city around it and we as a team knew him as the Hotel unofficial historian and curator. To our guests, he imparted his extensive knowledge with grace, humour and professionalism and always with a funny aside or little humourous twist, much to the amusement and joy of his audience. Our guests enjoyed his magical ability to bring the past alive as much as his innate capacity to make what at times would seem like the impossible possible. I first met Denis back in 1998 during my first General Manager’s role at the Central Hotel, Dublin and it was evident even at this point, that Denis’ greatest ambition was to take up post at the Grand Dame. On hearing of Denis’ passing, it occurred to me that in such dreadful circumstances , he would have been the very first person that I would have called. One of my fondest memories with Denis was our shared love of Mont Blanc pens, he had admired mine back in 1998 and we have joked about it ever since. We gifted him a Mont Blanc pen in celebration of his position as first Irish President of les Clefs d’Or and joked again in 2018 when I joined the Shelbourne as General Manager as we still had the very same pens. We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to his family and friends at this time. A book of condolences has been opened in the hotel lobby for those who wish to pay their respects. Denis my friend, you will be sorely missed by me and your Shelbourne family. Sleep well and rest in peace. JP Kavanagh General Manager