Belmond Grand Hibernian
Client
Belmond
Belmond Grand Hibernian
JPA have worked with the Belmond group for over 30 years, starting with the restoration of the Venice Simplon Orient Express in 1982 and most recently with the complete fit out of the Belmond Grand Hibernian.
JPA’s designs for the five cabin cars, two dining cars and observation lounge/bar car draw on Ireland’s cultures, architecture, townscapes, mythology and countryside.
The resulting interiors are fresh and contemporary yet underpinned with tradition, mixing romance with style and providing the type of up to date facilities expected by today’s discerning guest such as en-suite shower rooms to all cabins.
The colour schemes throughout are influenced by the tartans of eight of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s counties after which each carriage is named and the tones of the island’s celebrated landscapes.
The tartans are respectfully de-constructed and redistributed through the patterns, painted walls and textures of each cabin; for example ‘Down’ features shades of oranges and browns; ‘Kerry’ boasts shades of purple and blue; ‘Leitrim’ has accents of red and ‘Fermanagh’ features silver and gold.
There are two dining cars, ‘Wexford’ a bright, warm space with Irish motifs and tweed fabrics and ‘Sligo’ an elegant restaurant with a Georgian feel in relaxed darker blue greys and warm woods.
Both have been arranged with dining tables running down the centres of the carriages, rather than the more traditional arrangement of window tables, to encourage conversation and the forming of new friendships.
These provides the perfect settings to enjoy the sumptuous fare on offer with an authentic taste of Ireland from artisan cheeses to superb seafood and smooth Irish whiskies.
The observation car, ‘ Kildare’ captures the warm atmosphere and elegance of the best Irish drinking establishments and is the social hub of the train.
The overall vibe is distinctive, relaxed and informal in keeping with the Irish tradition of hospitality and conviviality, all underpinned by a style that sets out to be more ‘country house’ than ‘stately home’.
