5 Minutes With… Gerry O’Halloran

Our Padel Club Manager Gerry O’Halloran, joined the Adare Manor team in May 2020, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. Gerry’s impressive background in individual and team coaching and passion for empowering others allows him to develop and deliver programs that educate, encourage, and promote a positive attitude in everyone who participates.

Having been nicknamed ‘Mr. Motivator’ by our guests who have experienced a Padel tennis lesson or personal training session with him, it is obvious that his energy and enthusiasm for fitness is contagious. We caught up with Gerry to discuss his experience in working at Adare Manor, what a typical day in The Padel Club looks like and some of his favourite memories of his time here.

When did you join the team at Adare Manor and how has your experience been?

I joined the Adare Manor team in May 2020. My experience has been wonderful. Being a part of something so special is like working in a dream. Sometimes I refer to it as the ‘Adare Manor Family Village’ with all the various departments working together across the resort to deliver excellence to our guests 24/7.

Can you describe what it is like to manage The Padel Club? And what does a typical day of work look like for you? 

I am privileged to say that I manage The Padel Club, one of the top leisure facilities in the world. The building is a credit to the vision of the McManus Family and the design teams involved. What The Padel Club offers to our guests is extraordinary and having all these amenities in one building is incredible. From bespoke Padel tennis courts to a Golf Simulation Room, to a state-of-the-art Gymnasium and Studio. Not forgetting the relaxation pool overlooking the surrounding woodland.

My day begins at 7am. A typical day starts off with team meetings, checking in with the team and seeing what areas require my support, including:

– The business of the day and the coming days

– Calibrating with other Heads of Departments to ensure that we do not miss an opportunity to offer a beyond everything experience to our guests

– Full check of the building on efficiency

– Daily equipment checks, ensuring that everything is running smoothly

– Run reports for future booking

– Stock controls

What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Adare Manor team?

What I enjoy the most is just being part of the Adare Manor team and getting to work with great colleagues every day. We all take pride in what we do and understand the value we bring to our guests’ experience. My Padel Club team are extremely knowledgeable and skilled team players. It is a great feeling to know that they are there rolling in beside you if help is required.  A common thread throughout my previous roles as either a Personal Trainer, Leisure Facilities Manager or a Retained Fire Fighter with the Ennis Fire Service – is that it has always come down to helping people. That is why I do this job and what I enjoy most. The joy I experience has always come from helping people to achieve their goals. Some of my proudest moments are seeing people succeed in reaching them.

Can you tell us a little bit about Padel tennis? Would a complete beginner enjoy a game? 

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing team-sports in the world and is normally played in hot Mediterranean countries.

Padel tennis is played similar to tennis doubles with a mixture of handball and squash. It is played in an enclosed walled court, about one third the size of a tennis court and has the same scoring system as tennis. The game is traditionally played with four people and is suitable for players aged 6 and up. Yes, a complete beginner would absolutely enjoy it. Thanks to the smaller court size, beginners find the game quite easy to pick up. The sport is very new to Ireland but our guests’ feedback over the past year has been so overwhelmingly positive, with guests mentioning after a first session how they can’t wait to play again.

What is your favourite area of The Padel Club? 

That is like asking a parent to pick your favourite child!

At the moment, I would have to choose the Padel Courts.

I am playing a lot of Padel with guests and am really enjoying the game. It is such a fantastic sport that people can pick up really quickly. I have seen such improvements in my game over the past year.

Are there any standout moments you have experienced since The Padel Club opened in late 2020? 

There has been so many that I could write a small book if I had the time! Some standout highlights of my time in The Padel Club include:

– Seeing my team learn, grow and consistently help to deliver wonderful experiences for our guests.

– The Padel Club receiving a Design Award from The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

– Last spring, watching all the wildflowers surrounding The Padel Club building come to life and seeing the array of beautiful colours every day.

The Padel Club building incorporates floor-to-ceiling glazing so that guests have an opportunity to exercise and enjoy the surrounding nature whatever the weather. As the seasons change, the internal experience alters also. This was thoroughly thought-out during the design process and it’s really amazing to witness.

– Giving legendary Irish sporting heroes an introductory lesson to Padel tennis.

What do you enjoy most about Personal Training sessions? How would you describe your style of teaching?

Great question.

I feel personal training sessions are very important. What I love most about the process is listening to our guests and finding out how I can help deliver the best sessions for their individual needs and enjoyment. I am always adapting the session to suit the clients’ needs at that particular time. Teaching the correct techniques and breaking it down step by step so the clients can repeat and learn safely.

Some guests have said my style is ‘Mr. Motivator.’ I’ll let the guests decide!

Have you always been interested in fitness? 

Health and Fitness has been my true passion for as long as I can remember. As a young child, I was involved in the local GAA Club and joined any other sport that was introduced in my school or village. I was a coach during my senior years in secondary school and that eventually led me to pursue a career in Health and Fitness.

Professionally, I have over 22 years’ experience working in fitness and still look forward to the next fitness session, whatever it may entail. I have run marathons, participated in triathlons and cycling events nationally. I have also played all levels of hurling with my club and am still hanging in there playing some junior B!

If you could only do one activity for the rest of your life what would it be? 

Padel tennis. It is honestly so enjoyable and addictive!

Do you have any favourite music or podcasts to listen to when you run?

No, my playlists are so random.

It could be Lewis Capaldi and Coldplay with a bit of The Greatest Showman one day. While the next day might be a mix of American Country, Bob Dylan and some of the greatest hip-hop beats of all time.

One thing for certain is that a good beat is KEY.

As it is January, do you have three top tips to help increase fitness and improve overall wellbeing in the coming year? 

Yes, of course:
1. Make yourself a challenge and complete it daily. For example, a 1km walk or run, build on this and you will feel great.
2. Focus on your wellbeing (make small changes). Do Flexibility; it’s an inner strength to your core body and helps with sending fresh blood cells all around the body.
3. Have less screen time. Cut it by 50% and spend this time with family and friends. You will thank me.

Click here if you would like to enquire about a Padel tennis lesson during your stay.

Learn more about The Padel Club here.

Interested in joining our team? Find out more here.