10/09/2025
Heartbroken to hear of the passing of The Rose Hotel owner Dick Henggeler. We were lucky to have him visit Arizona and attend our 2017 selection. His dedication and generosity to the Festival and town of Tralee cannot be matched and he will be deeply missed. Our hearts are with his wife Eibhlin and entire family during this time.
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Dick and Eibhlin purchased the hotel in 2015 as a lasting tribute to their daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington D.C. in the 2011 Rose of Tralee International Festival. The hotel was rebranded as The Rose Hotel in April 2016 and, under Dick’s vision, became a labour of love—transformed into one of Kerry’s leading four-star-plus hotels, dedicated to delivering “Kerry Hospitality at Its Best.”
Dick was a forward-thinking, ambitious, and deeply courteous individual. He was a great listener who valued every opinion, a trusting leader who inspired confidence, and a thoughtful businessman who brought fresh ideas and energy to everything he did. His quiet determination and depth of character shaped not just The Rose Hotel, but every interaction he had with staff, guests, and the broader community.
