From Hostilities to Hospitality with Anthony & Andrea Kieran of Belfast’s Regency House

Irish Stew Podcast

Join us in the Queen’s Quarter at the former derelict buildings that Anthony and Andrea Kieran transformed into Belfast’s stunning five-star boutique hotel, Regency House.

Their story intertwines personal histories with The Troubles (including when Anthony was the victim of two bombings in one day in South Armagh), their serendipitous meeting in Washington, D.C., his work for NASA, their decision to move to Belfast, their unplanned venture into the hospitality business, and the peak experience of welcoming President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell to their hotel.

Bringing a platter of Belfast Baps for us, Executive Head Chef Michael O’Connor tells of his early cooking experiences in West Belfast, surviving the high-pressure kitchens of London’s top chefs, the role of locally sourced foods in driving Belfast’s restaurant renaissance, and the challenge of creating just the right menu for Regency House.

And he’s taken a shot at fast food with his signature Braised Beef Shank Burger—which takes two-and-a-half days to prepare!

With a unique blend of American and Northern Irish perspectives, a commitment to personalized hospitality and community investment, Andrea, Anthony, and Chef Michael offer an intimate look at Belfast’s past, present, and future, one that’s ever more welcoming to visitors.

So, join us in the President’s Suite of Belfast’s beguiling boutique hotel, Regency House.

Links
Regency House

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Anthony Kieran

• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 7; Total Episode Count: 110

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. When George Mitchell Visits (00:03:09)

3. Accents and Origins (00:05:51)

4. Anthony: Leaving and Returning (00:09:34)

5. Anthony: Moving to America and NASA (00:14:55)

6. Andrea: Meeting Anthony In Washington DC (00:20:45)

7. Donkeys and Peace Comes Knocking (00:24:26)

8. Andrea: The Northern Ireland Adjustment (00:25:54)

9. Anthony: Becoming an Entrepreneur (00:27:57)

10. Andrea: How Regency House Came To Be (00:31:49)

11. Positioning Regency House (00:36:06)

12. Introducing Executive Head Chef Michael O'Connor (00:38:51)

13. The Shin Burger (00:44:36)

14. Coming to Regency House (00:48:04)

15. What's On the Menu (00:51:03)

16. The Madness of Kitchens (00:52:49)

17. The Belfast Food Scene (00:54:58)

18. John and Martin Recap (00:58:38)

19. Credits (01:00:38)