Former Dalata deputy CEO brings 40 years of tourism and hospitality experience to Antrim-headquartered McKeever Hotels as it targets further growth

One of Ireland’s most experienced and prominent hospitality sector figures, Stephen McNally, has been appointed to the board of McKeever Hotels.

With a career spanning four decades in the tourism and hospitality industry, including senior leadership roles with three global hotel groups, Stephen brings extensive strategic and commercial expertise to the Northern Ireland family-run hotel group.

Headquartered in Antrim, McKeever Hotels operates seven properties across Northern Ireland and Donegal, including Dunadry Hotel and Gardens, Adair Arms Hotel, Armagh City Hotel, Dunsilly Hotel, The Lodge Hotel, Dillons Hotel and Corrs Corner.

placeholder image — Stephen McNally, one of Ireland’s most prominent and experienced hospitality sector experts, has been appointed to the Board of McKeever Hotels. Pictured with Eddie McKeever, managing director of McKeever Hotels

Stephen was a founding director and deputy chief executive of Dalata Hotel Group between 2007 and 2022, where he played a key role in shaping, driving and scaling the business. Dalata now operates 57 hotels under its Clayton and Maldron brands.

Prior to Dalata Stephen played a key role in the expansion of the Jury’s Doyle Hotel Group, including the acquisition of 20 Jury’s Inns across the UK, culminating in his appointment to Group general manager for 34 hotels across Ireland, UK and the USA.

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In his early career he also gained extensive experience with the Ramada Hotel Group, completing their Management Training Development Programme and working for their properties across Germany and the UK for over six years.

Most recently, and after retiring from Dalata in 2022, Stephen founded SERLs Hospitality. As chief executive he has successfully leveraged 40 years of proven industry experience and insight, to provide specialist consultancy, advisory and hotel management services to clients across Ireland and the UK.

In addition to his operational experience, Stephen is a non-executive director of Tourism Ireland and chairs the Tourism Partnership Board (TPB) on behalf of the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland. He also served as President of the Irish Hotels Federation from 2014 to 2016.

Recognising tourism’s potential to drive change, Stephen said: “I’ve been embedded in the sector for over 40 years, so I understand its value and appreciate how it has contributed so positively to Ireland’s economic growth. I now look forward to bringing this experience to McKeever Hotels and the wider sector in Northern Ireland.

“Tourism success is all about people, passion and commitment and I see these reflected in the McKeever culture. The Board is open, honest and focused on its ambitious growth strategy and I look forward to helping this great team capitalise on its success to date and also seize the many opportunities ahead.”

Welcoming Stephen to the Board, Eddie McKeever, managing director of McKeever Hotels added: “We’ve come a long way in our 40-year history, particularly over the last decade, and the journey continues. Our current five year strategy clearly identifies growth, performance and sustainability as our three key priorities and we know Stephen will help us achieve this by bringing his external perspective, global brand experience and big-picture thinking to the team. We’re really delighted to have him on board.”