From Teenager’s Leap of Faith to Five-Star General Manager: Emma-Jayne Eaton’s Hospitality Journey
When Emma-Jayne Eaton first stepped into the bustling world of hospitality nearly three decades ago, she wasn’t deterred by the sheer number of men in leadership positions. Instead, a powerful mantra took root: ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’ This unwavering belief has been her compass, guiding her through a dynamic and rewarding career. Today, she holds the prestigious position of General Manager at the five-star Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, a testament to a journey that began with a bold leap of faith to Ireland when she was just 18.
Emma-Jayne describes her career as one she “loves,” a passion that was particularly ignited after the birth of her son at 24. This life event, rather than slowing her down, spurred her on to prove any doubters wrong and continue her ascent in the industry.
A Leap of Faith Across the Irish Sea
Leaving her homeland to move to Ireland as a teenager was a significant decision. As the first in her family to pursue a career in hospitality, Emma-Jayne was driven by a desire to learn from the best the industry had to offer. “I’d barely turned 18, and it was that kind of leap of faith of ‘I’m going to go to Ireland’,” she recalls. She recognised that Irish hospitality was renowned globally, and she was determined to immerse herself in it properly.
This drive to excel remains a core part of her professional ethos. “I like to keep pushing myself, even today,” she explains, a sentiment she actively fosters in the rising talent within Lyrath Estate. “I love to see that in up-and-coming staff members within the hotel. I’ve been here for three years… and have two fantastic girls who are out on the floor as junior duty managers, and it’s so rewarding to watch and see how much they’ve grown.”
Emma-Jayne’s foundational experience in the industry began at the Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford. There, she was presented with an invaluable opportunity: a four-year training management programme. Notably, she was the sole female participant on the course. Reflecting on this early stage of her career, she observes, “There were no women [role models]. Growing up in hospitality, it was all men. Even when I arrived at Lyrath Estate, originally in 2007, my peers were all gentlemen.” This environment, however, only solidified her resolve. “I suppose I kind of thought ‘I can do this’,” she states. With 28 years of experience now under her belt, and having navigated the demands of raising three children, Emma-Jayne acknowledges the challenges but ultimately finds her career deeply fulfilling. “I’ve been in hospitality for 28 years now, had three children along the way, and there have been challenges, but it’s been very rewarding.”
Her career trajectory at Lyrath Estate began in a duty management role. This naturally progressed to a position as Food and Beverage Manager, and a few years later, she advanced to Deputy General Manager.
Trusting Her Instincts and Seeking Growth
After a period of significant achievement in her deputy role, Emma-Jayne recognised the need for further growth. This led her to make another crucial decision – a leap of faith to gain broader experience. She expresses deep gratitude to the owners of Lyrath Estate for their understanding and support during this period.
“Whilst I was very successful in that [deputy general manager] role, I had to leave for a year and a half to go and get experience as a general manager in a smaller property,” she explains. This strategic move in 2015 was essential. “I wouldn’t have been able to have become general manager of Lyrath, and it was important that I left and tried another hotel.” She dedicated five years to this external property before returning to Lyrath Estate three years ago to assume her current role as General Manager, a position she cherishes.
Navigating Work-Life Balance and Motherhood
Becoming a parent also marked a significant juncture in Emma-Jayne’s career. Now a mother to a 21-year-old son and two daughters aged 17 and 13, she has experienced firsthand the complexities of balancing family life with a demanding profession. “Whether you work in a bank or a hotel, when somebody decides that they are going to have a family, you have that fear of taking six months off and [question of] will I still have my job?” she muses, acknowledging her fortune in working for supportive establishments.
Emma-Jayne is a staunch advocate for work-life balance. “I’m very strict on work-life balance,” she asserts. She contrasts the past culture, where long hours were the norm, with the evolving landscape of the industry. “Back in the day, you knew if you worked in a hotel, it was like you do your 60 hours and you just keep going, and that’s the way it is and that was the culture, but it is changing, and I’m delighted it is.”
She speaks candidly about the societal pressures women often face. “For women to almost feel guilty for having a child, that’s honestly how it felt… and I know myself because I’ve worked with a lot of women who go ‘oh no, I won’t go for that job because I want to have a family’ and it’s not just in hospitality.” Emma-Jayne refused to let these limitations define her path. “I just kind of ignored that and said ‘stuff it, I want both. I want to be a general manager of a five-star hotel and I want to have children, so I’m going to go and do it’.”
Recalling the period when she became a mother early in her career, she notes, “I had my first child at the age of 24, and it was very much, ‘Jesus, she could have been great, but now she’s had a baby’. That was the culture, and I suppose it did me well, because… it just pushed me to say, ‘I hear what you’re saying, but I’ll see you one day in a 5 star hotel’.”
Having now reached the pinnacle of her profession, Emma-Jayne unequivocally recommends a career in hospitality. “There are such great opportunities being in hotels and lots of chances to travel,” she enthuses. She shares a personal anecdote of being sent to the Cayman Islands for a year before having her first child, highlighting the global opportunities available through placements that allow individuals to “see the world.”
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
For young women considering a career in hospitality, Emma-Jayne offers thoughtful advice: “It’s not a race. I didn’t arrive in Lyrath in 2007 and come to 2026 to be General Manager; I had to take that break. I had to make sure that I was trained. I had to make sure that I had the experience. Sometimes people can be ‘I’ve worked in this department for a year, I feel I should be head of the department.’ It’s not the way it works. So, be patient, opportunities always arise within a hotel.” Her journey exemplifies that with perseverance, a clear vision, and a willingness to embrace opportunities, the top of the industry is within reach.
