A Little History

The Smale Family own and manage The Old Court House Hotel and the Westhill Country Hotel. Bob Smale bought the Westhill Country Club in 1965, gradually enlarging and improving the hotel over a number of years to what it is today. The Westhill Country Hotel is now run by two of his sons - Matthew and Jonathan.

The Old Court House Hotel was bought by the Smale Family in 2004, having already been managed by Bob's son Richard Smale since 1981. The original building now forms part of the restaurant and is believed to date back to the early sixteenth century when it was a court house for the disposal of Admiralty prizes. In those days there were numerous ship and boat builders in Gorey before the coast road and sea wall were built.

The Old Court House Hotel has existed as an hotel/restaurant since the early 1960's. It has been extended and improved over the years with the last major extension taking place in 1983. This increased the number of bedrooms from 27 to 58.