Minella Gives Back
Hotel Minella 2024-packages
The Nallen family have been giving back to racing for many years and supporting those less fortunate who are also involved in the sport they love.
Hotel Minella, Coleville Road, Clonmel. Co. Tipperary
John is a quiet, behind the scenes operator who likes to deal one-on-one. He has given a lot back to racing that people will never know of nor would he want them to know about, that's the type of man he is.
The Nallen family have always been kind and decent people and understand that the most beautiful of gifts are the ones given from the heart.
When it comes to more public support of the industry, Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) has been a vehicle for the Nallen family to support those less fortunate for whom the 'going has got tough'.
Telephone No: +353 (0)52 612 2388
Fax No: +353(0)52 612 4381
Email: frontdesk@hotelminella.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotelminellaclonmel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotelminella/
Web: www.hotelminella.com
Racing: www.minellaracing.com
Here are just two examples of auction purchases that are on show at Hotel Minella bought by the Nallen Family in aid of injured riders over the years. The proceeds of which went to Irish Injured Jockeys, The Jonjo Bright Trust and the trust of the late great John Thomas McNamara.
Artist Sarah Lennon visits her work at Hotel Minella while on a family staycation!
Renowned Irish Artist, Sarah Lennon enjoyed a staycation with a difference at Hotel Minella with her family recently. Sarah was in Tipperary to be reunited with her work titled ‘Whispered Courage’ purchased by the Nallen family at a prestigious charity auction in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids at the Curragh Racecourse last year. The incredible work of art is a life-sized fibre resin horse sculpture painted in Sarah’s unique style.
COVID-19 has put a halt to the many shows and exhibitions that Sarah regularly attends to showcase her work, however, she has used this time to move house and invest time and energy into her plans for a large studio and gallery. The busy mum of three also enjoyed a family break in Tipperary recently together with her husband Cathal and children Leah 9, Genevieve 8 and Conn 7. Speaking of her trip to Tipp she commented “We had a ball, as it was our first staycation during the pandemic we were naturally apprehensive but the team and procedures at Hotel Minella were fantastic and we immediately felt safe in a warm and friendly environment. The leisure centre was a big hit and we swam every day, the kids loved it. The hotel also arranged bicycles for us all and we cycled the Blueway from Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir and back which was so scenic, beautiful and thankfully flat and well surfaced. We got through it no problem, where we live it’s all hills so it was brilliant and even Conn who is just 7 managed it not a bother!”
The Nallen family is steeped in the thoroughbred industry with owner John Nallen considered one of Ireland’s best at transforming National Hunt foals into prized pointers. John together with his sister Elizabeth Bowen manages the four-star establishment.
Elizabeth said “We bought ‘Whispered Courage’ at the under stARTers orders charity auction lunch held at the Curragh Racecourse last year in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys and Sensational Kids, two charities very close to our hearts. To have Sarah and her family join us here at Hotel Minella to visit her creation again was our pleasure, she is a wonderful artist and the sculpture radiates colour, life and a sense of healthy curiosity for all who see it on arrival at the hotel.”
A pleasure shared by Sarah who commented “To see ‘Whispered Courage’ again was very special indeed, the Nallen family bought it in support of the charities and it enjoys a real pride of place right outside the entrance to the hotel which I’ve no doubt is a great talking point for guests on arrival. The whole idea of this creation and indeed all my work is that there are many horses hidden within the work and it is the job of the person viewing the art to spot them. My work is all about being still and mindful and I like to think there is an element of fun in it too. You need the observer to find a hidden horse in the work quickly to realise the piece needs closer inspection for more buried within the piece and from there it unleashes a little magic!”
Minella Pushes The Boat Out!
The Nallen Family of Hotel Minella, Clonmel gave generously at the Limerick Charity Raceday on Monday 14th October 2013. In support of Jonjo and JT and the Jockeys Emergency Fund they purchased Peter Curling’s ‘Pushing The Boat Out’ illustration for €20,000.
The clever illustration partnered the renowned owner’s colours initiative, captioned ‘Be there for JT & Jonjo…nail your colours to the mast’ and quickly became the iconic image of the fundraising appeal. Curling’s subtle portrayal of the brave jockeys in troubled waters inspired owners to make a donation and have their colours included in the commemorative card, the campaign raised over €62,000.
Trainer and Hotelier John J Nallen with his sister Elizabeth said “We were only too delighted to be able to donate to such a worthy cause and we hope that the flagship charity event will inspire similar generosity to keep topping up the Jockeys Emergency Fund.” The painting now hangs in the bar at Hotel Minella, a spot synonymous in the South East with the racing fraternity.