Category: Hospitality

Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort has announced the appointment of Alan Vallely as general manager.

Originally from Dublin, Vallely joins Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort having previously held the role of deputy general manager at The K Club, Co. Kildare.

“I am delighted to join the team at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort and to be trusted by the Neville Family to provide leadership and guidance to one of Ireland’s most iconic destinations,” said Vallely.

“The level of investment in the hotel and resort over recent years has been significant and I am looking forward to steering the resort towards an even brighter future, enhancing its already stellar reputation.”

Prior to working at The K Club, Vallely held multiple senior level positions in hotels including The Four Seasons, Ashford Castle, and Mount Juliet Estate.

Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort is one of five hotels owned by Neville Hotels in addition to the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, River Court Hotel in Kilkenny, The Tower Hotel & Leisure Centre in Waterford City, and the Ravenport Resort in Wexford.

The Johnstown Estate, in Enfield, Co. Meath, has announced the appointment of Guy Thompson as its general manager.

In his new position, Thompson will oversee all operations at the estate, focusing on delivering an exceptional guest experience while driving the financial success of the four-star hotel and spa.

“I am thrilled to join the Johnstown Estate during such an exciting time,” said Thompson. “The hotel has significantly expanded its offering with the recent opening of a new garden terrace bar, Parterre, and its brand-new, state-of-the-art conference centre, the Forde Suites.”

The Johnstown Estate is an independently owned, luxury four-star hotel and destination spa.

The listed eighteenth-century Georgian house is set on 120 acres of private grounds with wooded parkland and restored walled gardens and features 128 bedrooms and suites, as well as 40 self-catering lodges.

 

Dining options include the Fire & Salt restaurant, the Coach House Brasserie, and the Spa Café. It’s also home to an award-winning destination spa, a 1,300-square-metre leisure club, and training grounds, along with the Forde Suites, a multipurpose conference facility that can cater to groups of up to 1,100 delegates, developed this year with an investment exceeding €9 million.

In July, the Johnstown Estate opened Parterre, a new cocktail bar that specialises in botanically inspired cocktails (from €15). Guest favourites include the Parterre Bloody Mary, the Spa Serenity, and the House Martini, featuring a signature rose-and-cucumber foundation and the coastal botanicals of Hendrick’s Neptunia, along with Lillet Blanc, sage oil and pickled cucumber.

To complement the high-end drinks offering, Parterre offers nibbles (from €4.50), like hickory-smoked toasted almonds and marinated oriental mixed olives, along with light bites (from €7), like nori tempura and a charcuterie sharing board.

“I look forward to leading the already brilliant team at the Johnstown Estate into this next chapter,” said Thompson.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has launched its ten-point manifesto in advance of what it believes to be an imminent general election, to fix what it describes as the ‘broken financial model’ facing Ireland’s hospitality industry.

Among the key demands of the RAI’s manifesto is a decoupling of the VAT rate between food and accommodation, in recognition of the different business models of small pubs and restaurants versus large hotels.

The RAI claims that a separation of VAT on food and accommodation should result in a reduced VAT rate for food services while keeping the accommodation rate at its current 13.5%.

The association is also calling for a reduction of the standard VAT rate, from 23% to 21%, as well as cuts to excise duty on alcohol, which remains the second highest in the EU.

In addition to financial reforms, the RAI has called for greater support to be provided for hospitality apprenticeships, and for the appointment of SME representation to key economic bodies like the Labour Employer Economic Forum and the Low Pay Commission.

 

“Without urgent and meaningful intervention, over 1,000 businesses will close their doors over the next 12 months,” said Adrian Cummins, CEO of the RAI. “The RAI has today requested meetings with Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke, so that we can work together, collaboratively, towards a more sustainable future for the industry.”

The RAI, which has over 3,000 members, has also called for the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Tourism and Hospitality within the Department of Enterprise in the next government, and the development of a five-year strategy for food-and-drink tourism in Ireland.

The manifesto launch follows a rally held last Tuesday outside Leinster House, wherein 1,800 hospitality workers and small-business owners gathered to highlight the sector’s deepening financial struggles.

“Our pre-Budget focus was on restoring the 9% VAT rate on food, which would have been worth €37,000 to the average restaurant,” said Cummins, “but now we are asking the government to meet with us, with all options on the table.”

He concluded, “We are open to any solution or combination of policies that will secure a viable future for the over 20,000 businesses and 270,000 livelihoods supported by our industry.”

Killashee Hotel in County Kildare has been a long-standing supporter of DEBRA, the charity that supports people born with EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa). Dating back to 2012, when the beautiful Butterfly Garden dedicated to the charity was officially opened on the grounds, the hotel has been closely associated to EB sufferer Emma Fogarty, who dreamed of having a garden in a location where those affected by EB could go to and enjoy peace and tranquillity.

This year, Emma celebrates her 40th birthday, which is nothing short of a miracle as people born with the same type of EB as Emma do not tend to live past 35 years of age. To mark this significant milestone, Emma announced that actor Colin Farrell would be running the Dublin City Marathon for DEBRA, and now Colin will be joined by Killashee Hotel’s General Manager Ger Alley, who has also signed up to run the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday 27th October in aid of Emma Fogarty and DEBRA. The plan is that Ger and Colin will join Emma who will be doing the final 4km of the marathon, one km for every decade of her life, and cross the finish line together.

The team at Killashee is also supporting DEBRA with a “40 Days of Fitness” and fundraising that started on the 17th of September and finishes on the Marathon Day. This fitness challenge aims to get the team active for 40 days, whether that is walking, swimming, running or cycling. Each day the team log their activities on a Strava app to keep track of their activities.

There is a long-standing connection with Ger, who is from Durrow, and Emma, who grew up in a neighbouring town in Co Laois. Emma’s father was Ger’s maths teacher in secondary school, and being of similar ages, their paths often crossed. Running the Dublin City Marathon has been a long-standing aspiration for Ger, who is passionate about fitness and believes in pushing himself to achieve new goals, especially within the demands of a busy schedule.

Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have welcomed tourism funding of €226m in Budget 2025.

CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly said:

“The funding secured by Minister Catherine Martin for Fáilte Ireland will enable us to continue our vital work in promoting sustainable development within the tourism industry. The specific allocation for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to commence developing Ireland’s positioning as the ‘Home of Halloween’ will help us attract more visitors during this unique cultural celebration. In addition, the incremental funding allocated for Business Events will enable the implementation of some of the elements of a new Business Events strategy for Ireland.

“These initiatives will support our strategic objectives of driving seasonality and regionality, ensuring a more balanced distribution of tourism throughout the year and across different regions. Capital investment is crucial for enhancing Ireland’s tourism offering. This funding allocation will allow us to continue to develop and improve tourism amenities, ensuring that Ireland remains a top destination for visitors, offering world-class attractions and experiences that will benefit both tourists and local communities.”

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said:

“We welcome the funding for overseas tourism allocated in Budget 2025, which demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to Irish tourism.

“Tourism is an industry that supports 300,000 jobs right across our island, with around 200,000 of those jobs dependent on overseas tourism. This year, overseas tourism is likely to be worth €6.5 billion. Our aim is to grow revenue by an average +5.6% per year to 2030. As we look to the year ahead, there are, of course, certain risks to mitigate – including the Dublin Airport cap, the cost of living and competitiveness on the ground.

“We estimate that for every €1 invested by Tourism Ireland in overseas marketing, about €25 comes back to the economy from overseas visitors’ spend on the ground in Ireland.”

Minister Catherine Martin said:

“The tourism sector has been through severe challenges in recent years, and funding of over €226 million in 2025 will build and sustain core capacity in the industry. This allocation will support the work of Fáilte Ireland on enhancing the tourist experience and assisting tourism businesses in Ireland through work in areas such as festivals, digital transformation and sustainability. It will also assist Tourism Ireland in marketing Ireland overseas as a compelling visitor destination.”

These measures are coupled with the new €170 million Power Up Grant, announced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and consisting of a flat grant of €4,000 for commercially rateable premises in the retail and hospitality sectors. This will support the hospitality sector to deal with increased energy costs in recent years, in particular electricity costs.

The Tourism Marketing Fund allocation of €61.4 million will support Tourism Ireland’s major marketing campaigns overseas. These campaigns support the extension of the tourism season and regional growth and include a new sustainability campaign.

Budget 2025 also includes a specific allocation of €3.2 million to support tourism businesses, including a new Business Events Strategy; additional funding under the Regional Cooperative Access Scheme to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions; and funding to support the tourism agencies to continue to develop and promote Ireland as the Home of Halloween.

2025 will also see a continuation of Government capital support for the development and enhancement of the tourism product. €36.5 million in capital funding is allocated to Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in this area and on new projects.

The Michelin Guide has revealed its brand-new key distinctions, including 14 Irish hotels on the list, RTÉ reported this week.

On Monday 1 October, the guide revealed its one-, two- and three-key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in the UK and Ireland.

As the Michelin star system recognises the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin key aims to recognise incredible hotels.

While cities were represented on the list, countryside hotels stood out, with the draw of grand buildings and extensive grounds.

Hotels that excelled in design, architecture, service and personality were highlighted on the list.

In total, from across the UK and Ireland, the list includes 14 three-key hotels, 37 two-key hotels, and 72 one-key hotels.

Three-Key Hotels In Ireland

• Adare Manor, Co. Limerick
• Ballyfin Demesne, Co. Laois

Two-Key Hotels In Ireland

• The Merrion, Co. Dublin
• Cashel Palace, Co. Tipperary
• Sheen Falls Lodge, Co. Kerry

One-Key Hotels In Ireland

• Gregans Castle Hotel, Co. Clare
• Cliff House Hotel, Co. Waterford
• Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork
• Dylan, Co. Dublin
• The Wilder Townhouse, Co. Dublin
• The Killarney Park, Co. Kerry
• The Victoria, Co. Kerry
• 1 Pery Square, Co. Limerick
• Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare

Adare Manor has been voted Best Resort in Europe by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, it was announced on Tuesday.

The famous hotel topped the 2024 edition of the Readers’ Choice Awards survey – now in its 37th year, and a must-read for travel fans around the world.

Over half a million readers voted, judging venues on criteria such as service, atmosphere, dining, and overall guest experience.

The Co. Limerick hotel received a score of 98.13 out of 100, making it the top-ranking hotel on the list, which included resorts from the UK to Türkiye.

It was commended for its Tom Fazio-designed golf course, luxurious setting, broad activities for guests, exceptional dining, and beautiful, expansive estate.

 

‘Means So Much’

Speaking to RTÉ, the general manager of Adare Manor, Brendan O’Connor, said, “This recognition means so much to us, as it reflects the opinions of the most important people to all of us at Adare Manor – our guests.

“Their continued support is the ultimate testament to the passion and commitment of our entire team, across all departments.”

Including Adare Manor, four of the top ten resorts on the list were Irish hotels, including Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo, at number four, Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg, Co. Clare, at number five, and Sheen Falls Lodge, in Co. Kerry, at number six.

Michelin Keys

In addition to this honour, earlier this week, Adare Manor was announced as a recipient of the inaugural Michelin keys, taking three of them.

Hotels that exceed in design, architecture, service and personality were highlighted by Michelin with the new key system.

Adare Manor excelled in all categories, with Ballyfin Demesne the only other Irish hotel to receive this honour.

Some 12 other Irish hotels also received one- or two-key accreditations from Michelin.

Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 25 Resorts In Europe: Readers’ Choice Awards 2024

1. Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland
2. Gleneagles, Auchterarder, UK
3. Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews, UK
4. Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo, Ireland
5. Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg, Co. Clare, Ireland
6. Sheen Falls Lodge, Co. Kerry, Ireland
7. D Maris Bay, Marmaris, Türkiye
8. Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock, Switzerland
9. Six Senses Ibiza, San Juan Bautista, Spain
10. Six Senses Kaplankaya, Bozbük, Türkiye
11. Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate, Co. Clare, Ireland
12. The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co. Kerry, Ireland
13. Trump Turnberry, Turnberry, UK
14. Susona Bodrum LXR Hotels & Resorts, Bodrum, Türkiye
15. Chia Laguna Resort, Sardinia, Italy
16. Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, Champillon, France
17. Elysium Hotel, Paphos, Cyprus
18. The Dunloe, Killarney, Ireland
19. Powerscourt Hotel, Autograph Collection, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
20. AMARA, Agios Tychon, Cyprus
21. Vila Vita Parc, Alporchinhos, Portugal
22. Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, Türkiye
23. The Bodrum EDITION, Bodrum, Türkiye
24. Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, Serik D:Z1, Türkiye
25. The Albatroz, Cascais, Portugal

The annual Ireland Golf Convention 2024 got under way this month, at Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort, in Co. Wicklow.

The convention saw 60 international buyers from key golf markets meet with over 80 golf industry professionals – including destination management companies, tour operators, hotels, golf clubs, golf resorts and transport providers – from the island of Ireland, for one-to-one appointments and networking opportunities.

The event was hosted by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) from Tuesday 1 October until Thursday 3 October.

IAGTO’s 662 golf tour operator members are responsible for over 90% of golf vacation packages sold worldwide, and 330 of these feature, promote and sell golf holidays to Ireland.

‘Sets Ireland Apart’

“What sets Ireland apart internationally is the continued investment in upgrading and developing our golf product right across the country, which is reflected in our host venue for this conference,” said Martin Donnelly, business development manager for Fáilte Ireland.

“This important week will see 1,590 contracting appointments delivered between our international operator guests and Irish suppliers, each and every one of which is an opportunity for the Irish industry to convert a sale and drive more high-value golfing tourists to Ireland.”

At the conclusion of the convention, international buyers sampled the very best of what Dublin and Ireland’s Ancient East has to offer the international golf visitor.

“Ireland is already world renowned for its high-quality tourism product,” said Donnelly. “From championship links and parkland courses to numerous hidden gems, there is a course to suit golfers at every level, spread throughout Ireland.”

Marriott Hotels in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics has announced the implementation of a food waste reduction initiative, which will see Winnow AI technology being used to monitor and minimise food waste in hotel kitchens across 53 managed hotels.

Through the work of the food-and-beverage teams, Marriott Hotels reduced food waste by 25% within the first six months of 2024, with the aim of advancing the company’s sustainability objectives and addressing the issue of food waste across the hospitality industry.

“We are incredibly proud of the tremendous effort and dedication of our teams in reducing food waste across our hotels,” said Joanna Chugh, area vice-president for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics for Marriott International.

“With over 3,000 team members – including culinary staff, kitchen stewards, and F&B services – working together, we have already achieved a 25% reduction in food waste within six months – the equivalent of 486 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere, or charging over 32 million mobile phones.”

The PLEDGE

With the support of the PLEDGE, a global food waste certification, Marriott has become the first hotel group to deploy AI food waste technology on this scale in the UK by integrating the Winnow AI platform in all 53 of its hotel food outlets.

 

Marriott’s F&B teams now have access to real-time data on food consumption and waste, enabling responsible decisions around ordering, menu planning, and portion sizes.

The major hotel operator claims that the resource-efficient approach has allowed staff to significantly reduce food waste while maintaining high standards of guest service and satisfaction.

“We’re thrilled to see how Marriott’s teams have embraced our technology to achieve such impressive results,” said David Jackson, director of marketing and public affairs, Winnow.

“This partnership highlights how technology, combined with Marriott’s commitment and collective efforts, can lead the way [in] setting a new standard for the hospitality industry.”

‘Responsible Dining’

Marriott claims that the initiative extends to encouraging mindfulness around food consumption, with hotels offering guests smaller portion options and raising awareness of responsible dining, particularly at buffets.

 

Other hotels have introduced QR codes on menus, giving guests access to zero-waste recipe ideas and tips on reducing waste at home.

Additional partnerships with local food banks and organisations, such as Too Good to Go, are in place to redistribute surplus food, and unavoidable food waste is diverted towards composting or recycling.

“It’s been incredible to see the progress we’ve made to tackle this issue with the help of AI,” said Anna Pazdera, executive chef and sustainability champion at Marriott Heathrow.

“The insights we’re getting allow us to make immediate adjustments in the kitchen, which not only helps us reduce waste, but also gives us the opportunity to get creative with surplus ingredients, like turning banana peel into pulled pork for our signature vegetarian burgers.”

The IHF’s Fora programme provides a platform for people managers to come together and learn from fellow HR professionals

Human Resource professionals from across hotels and guesthouses in County Mayo recently gathered at Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar for the inaugural Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Mayo Branch HR Fora.

Part of a national network, the IHF’s Fora programme provides a platform for people managers to come together and learn from fellow HR professionals working in the industry in addition to expert guest speakers.

Declan Heneghan, IHF Mayo Branch Chairperson and General Manager of Knock House Hotel said: “The Fora will facilitate a cross fertilisation of ideas and information around best practice in topics such as training and development, recruitment and career promotions, health and wellbeing, and education, in addition to up-to-date information on innovations and employment legislation.

“It was fantastic to see a wide range of properties represented at our first meeting with a mix of guesthouses and hotels including 3-, 4- & 5-star establishments. The HR Fora provide an exciting opportunity for our HR managers to further develop rewarding workplaces with excellent prospects for skills development and careers.”

The Mayo Branch HR Fora is the most recently established in the countrywide IHF Fora programme, which forms part of the IHF’s wider people development objectives around the group’s Shaping Brighter Futures programme.

Pictured above at the inaugural Irish Hotels Federation Mayo Branch HR Fora at Breaffy House Resort are:

Front row, from left: IHF Mayo Branch Chair, Declan Heneghan, Knock House Hotel; Louise Kelly, The Wyatt Hotel; Karen Kelly, Clew Bay Hotel; Evie Murphy, Great National Hotel Ballina; Breda Walsh, McWilliam Park Hotel; Deirdre Fitzsimons, Irish Hotels Federation and Wilson Bird, Breaffy House Resort.

Back row, from left: Colette Cave, The Mariner Westport; Maureen Carroll, Ashford Castle; Angela Costello, Westport Estate Hotel; Georgina Kilcoyne, Westport Hotel Group; Madeline Dermody, Westport Estate Hotel, Liona Carter, Breaffy House Resort and Niamh Williams, Fáilte Ireland.