Manager tells of deluge of warm words for ancient Carrickfergus hotel as it counts down to closure - and cites energy costs and NICs as being partly to blame
The manager of a hotel which can trace its history back several hundred years has said she has been deluged with nostalgic comments and messages of support following the announcement that it will soon shut.
Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus is due to close on September 21, having been under its current management since 1978.
Kirsty Fallis, who has been its boss since 2010, told the News Letter that energy costs and Labour’s National Insurance increase are among the factors in the decision.
It is the latest blow to the town’s High Street, which lost Danske Bank in 2024 and has just seen long-standing newsagents Bells – next door to Dobbins – relocate to smaller premises further away.
It is understood that the Fallis family, which owns the hotel, is now mulling over its possible sale.
Ms Fallis said: “We've had so many people getting in touch since announcing the closure, and many planning to call in over the next few weeks.
"Reading through the comments on social media has been bitter-sweet, with people recalling when they worked here, met future partners, or celebrated significant birthdays or held their wedding receptions here.
"It's clear how much Dobbins has meant to so many people in the town.”
The hotel itself states that the history of the building in which it stands goes back to 1200 AD, when Norman knight Reginald D'Aubin was gifted some land and built a “tower house” on that spot.
The hotel also states that historic records show it to have been an inn since at least the mid-1600s, and in fact “may well be Ulster’s oldest surviving inn”.
A planning official’s report from 2019, when the hotel embarked on a huge restoration project, states that there is evidence of “a 15th to 16th century tower house” within the current fabric of the hotel.
Ms Fallis added: “For almost 50 years it has been a privilege to serve the people of Carrickfergus as custodians of Dobbins.
"We’ve welcomed generations of locals, tourists and business people, and worked alongside a brilliant team who became like family to us.
"Through the Troubles, economic recessions and the Covid pandemic, it was our loyal staff and our customers who kept us going.”
However “this is the right time to say goodbye,” with “small independent hotels finding the current climate very tough”.
Asked what is making things so tough, she said: “This summer has not been the same as previous years, certainly for ourselves, with foreign visitors down on last year.
"VAT is a big factor and compared to Ireland on 13.5% it’s a real concern.
"Increases on National Insurance, staff pension contributions and general increases to energy costs have all eaten away at any possible profits a small business makes.
"Carrickfergus is similar to most towns across the province and the High Street struggles to have footfall.”
She added: “Our priority now is our staff as well as our customers, and we’ll do everything we can to support our team into their next roles.
"To our staff past and present, our loyal customers, and the people of Carrickfergus – we are so very grateful.
"Together we’ve experienced so many great times and created half a century of lasting memories to cherish.”
Among some of the famous faces to have called in to the hotel are cricketer Sir Garry Sobers, US wrestling and film star John Cena, T’Pau lead singer Carol Decker and, in April 2024, former TV presenter Timmy Mallet.