Category: Hospitality

Ireland is being promoted as a world-class destination for Business Events to around 60 MICE buyers in France at a B2B roadshow visiting the cities of Lyon and Paris. Thirteen tourism companies from Ireland are taking part.

The roadshow, which includes presentations, one-to-one commercial meetings and networking, is a valuable opportunity for the tourism companies from Ireland to connect with the influential French buyers, to ensure they recommend Ireland to their clients for future meetings and incentive travel and, ultimately, to grow Business Events from France.

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Events and Luxury, said:

“We are delighted that so many key French MICE buyers are taking the time to come and meet with our partners from Ireland in Lyon and Paris. Our aim is to inspire those travel professionals about all that Ireland has to offer their clients.”

The tourism companies are pictured with Ana Luis (front, left) and Christine Blanc (front, right), both Tourism Ireland.

The Mespil Hotel has become the first organisation in Ireland to earn the “Three Leaves” under the new Leaf Mark Sustainability Certification — a national initiative by Fifty Shades Greener that recognises businesses investing in sustainability education for their teams.

The Mespil Hotel earned the top-tier Three Leaves recognition for its dedication to upskilling staff at all levels through Green Skills Levels 1 to 3, delivered by the sustainability education specialists at Fifty Shades Greener.

“Sustainability transformation begins with education,” said Raquel Noboa, founder and CEO of Fifty Shades Greener. “The Mespil Hotel has shown exceptional leadership by empowering their employees to understand, value and implement sustainable practices every day.”

Jason Conlon Shakib MIHI, sustainability manager at The Mespil Hotel, added:

“We are delighted to be the first hotel in Ireland to achieve the Three Leaves certification. This reflects our commitment to building a culture of sustainability and ensuring every member of our team has the skills to make a positive environmental impact.”

Recent awards have capped off a remarkable year for Newpark Hotel Kilkenny. It has again come out top as a family hotel and has picked up multiple awards from family-friendly experiences to culinary experiences, wellness innovation and workplace culture.

Part of the family-run Flynn Hotel Collection, Newpark is known for creating unforgettable family breaks.

At the Hotel of the Year Awards, the Newpark took home three titles: “Family Friendly Hotel of the Year”, “Head Chef of the Year” for Paul Murphy, and “Guest Relations Manager of the Year” for Marita McGrory.

These latest honours add to a growing list of family-focused achievements, including “Family Friendly Hotel of the Year 2024/2025” at the Gold Medal Awards, “Family Friendly Hotel of the Year 2025” at the National Parenting Product Awards, and “Family Friendly Business of the Year 2025” from The Family Edit.

The hotel’s reputation for memorable celebrations was also recognised with “Wedding Venue of the Year 2025” at the Let’s Talk Weddings Awards and a Tripadvisor “Travellers’ Choice Award 2025”.

The hotel’s commitment to wellness and relaxation was also celebrated when The Escape Health Club & Spa achieved the highest Gold Standard in the National Quality Standard Awards 2025 from Ireland Active.

Further accolades have followed for The Escape Spa, which was named “Best Day Spa 2025” at the Hair, Beauty & Style Awards and honoured with a Phorest Client Experience Award 2025 for exceptional guest service. The hotel also earned an Eco Label Award from GreenHospitality.ie, “Employer Excellence” status from Fáilte Ireland, and retained its “Great Place to Work 2025/2026” certification.

General Managers Niall Dunne and Mark Flynn said the hotel’s continued recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and creativity.

Four Fellowships were awarded to distinguished hospitality professionals at the Irish Hospitality Institute Management Awards & Founders Evening.

Hoteliers Nicky Logue and Charlie Sheils presented the Fellowships to Alan Buckley from Leonardo Hotels; Daragh Feighery, Village Director, Centre Parcs; Deirdre McDonald from The Innovate Rooms and Guinness Learning for Life Programme; and Noel Cafferkey, owner of Action Recruitment.

More than 500 guests, including 81 finalists, attended the banquet, including Micheline Corr of The Firm, who is pictured with Eileen Denham, sales director, The Hoxton, and Michael Masterson, general manager of The Keadeen Hotel.

Johnson’s Celtic Linen sponsored the first IHI Accommodation Manager Award, and Davina Murphy from Trigon Cork International Hotel won this category.

Aisling Moloughney from Shannon College of Hotel Management will be visiting Masottina Winery as the winner of the Graduate Award.

Kilashee Hotel had two winners, with Phillip Gleeson awarded Executive Head Chef and Ger Alley awarded the Hotelier award.

Paul Savage from Tipl Wines presented the Deputy General Manager award to Nokuzola Jacusse from Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge.

Another Clayton winner was Diane Molloy, Finance Manager at Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport.

Other winners included:

• HR & Training Manager – Lisa O’Callaghan The Fitzwilliam Hospitality Group
• Sales & Marketing Manager – Lisa Walshe from Leonardo Hotels
• Revenue Manager – Vanessa Davis, Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
• Front of House Manager – Kevin Nelligan, The River Lee
• Environmental & Facilities Manager – Edward Kavanagh, Conrad Dublin
• Food & Beverage Manager – Alex Kelly, Cork International Hotel
• Bar Manager – John Ryan, The K Club
• Inspiring Manager- Gayle Anderson, Cavan Crystal Hotel
• Conference & Events Manager – Karen Maguire, Diageo – Irish Brand Homes
• Rising Manager – Micheala McIlkenny, The Dublin Convention Centre, Dublin

This guideline aims to promote and improve oral and general health for adults in healthcare settings by enabling a consistent, standardised approach to oral care. This national oral care guideline is for health and social care teams who support or provide oral care as part of daily personal care for adults who require assistance in acute, older persons, mental health, disability, palliative and social inclusion healthcare settings.

The very best hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars have been recognised at the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards.

At a sold out gala event in Offaly last night, 40 awards were handed out to the best in class when it comes to food, drink and tourism.

Popular business man Christy Maye, who passed away earlier this year, was awarded the Albert FitzGerald Lifetime Achievement Award.

While Aisling Jones and Dylan Hyland from Hot Shot Coffee in Daingean took the crown for Industry Newcomer of the Year.

Here’s a full list of last night’s winners:

Wedding Venue of the Year
Glasson Lakehouse

Best Customer Service of the Year
The Heritage

Leisure Centre of the Year
Zest Health & Leisure Club, The Killeshin Hotel

Family Hotel of the Year
Tullamore Court Hotel

Wedding Coordinator of the Year
Emma Fagan, Shamrock Lodge Hotel

Overall Hotel of the Year
County Arms Birr

Destination Hotel of the Year
Talbot Hotel Carlow

Receptionist of the Year
Ciara Beegan, Castle Varagh Hotel

Business Hotel of the Year
Tullamore Court Hotel

Hotel Bar of the Year
Charter Bar & Eatery, Midlands Park Hotel

Spa & Wellness of the Year
Brooks & Co Spa, Glasson Lakehouse

Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Slí Dala Restaurant, Kinnitty Castle Hotel

Hotel Manager of the Year
Sabine Wycisk, Sheraton Athlone Hotel

Overall Restaurant of the Year
Bramley, Abbeyleix

Ethnic Restaurant of the Year
Bacchus Restaurant, Athlone

Chef of the Year
Anthony O’Connor, Old Warehouse

Café/Coffee Shop of the Year
Caffé Nero Athlone

Dining Experience of the Year
Hackett’s Eatery, County Arms Birr

Restaurant Manager of the Year
Trevor Byrne, Scanlon’s Bar & Restaurant

Best New Establishment
The Stable’s Tearoom at Tullynally Castle

Best Family Dining
O’Gorman’s Bar & Restaurant

Best Dark Sky Experience
Glamping Under the Stars

Golf Club of the Year
Glasson Lakehouse Golf Club

Children’s Activity of the Year
Playtown Tullamore

Festival/Event of the Year
Forest Fest – Music & Art’s Festival

Activity of the Year
Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Visitor’s Experience

Overall Pub of the Year
Scanlon’s Bar & Restaurant

Bar Manager of the Year
Jason Reddin, Wineport Lodge

Music Venue of the Year
Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue

Tourist Bar of the Year
JJ Killeens

Best Bar for Sport
The Dark Horse Bar & Kitchen

Traditional Bar of the Year
JJ Hough’s Singing Pub

Beer Garden of the Year
Danny Byrne’s

Drinks Producer of the Year
Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery

Bar Food of the Year
Scanlon’s Bar & Restaurant

Industry Newcomer of the Year
Dylan Hyland & Aisling Jones, Hot Shot Coffee

Special Contribution to the Industry
Destination Athlone

Industry Personality of the year
Gay Davis, Honey Bean

Albert Award – For Life Time Achievement
Christy Maye

Community Impact Award 
Abbey Bloom’s Botanical Garden’s Café – Nua Healthcare

Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort has announced the success of its inaugural Charity Gala, which took place earlier this month, which raised €60,000 in support of its neighbours, Russborough House & Park.

Guests enjoyed a red-carpet welcome and reception in the Manor House before moving to the ballroom for a dining experience curated by executive chef Lewis Barker of the two-Michelin-starred Terre Restaurant at Castlemartyr Resort. Chef Barker’s bespoke menu proved to be one of the evening’s highlights.

Entertainment throughout the night included a Trio from the world-renowned Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, pianist Fiachra Garvey, the Cotton Club Jazz Quartet, and harpist Ruth O’Hara.

The event was hosted by broadcaster Mary Kennedy, while Senator Aubrey McCarthy led an auction and raffle, with an array of prizes.

 

“The success of the Gala at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort reflects the strong relationship we’ve built, and we are truly grateful for their generosity and continued support,” said Orla Gallagher, CEO of The Alfred Beit Foundation Russborough House & Park

“The €60,000 raised will help us safeguard the house, care for its collections, and further its cultural and educational mission.”

The team at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort extended its thanks to all guests, performers, contributors, and supporters who helped make the inaugural Gala such a success.

“We are thrilled with the success of our first Charity Gala and deeply grateful to our guests, whose incredible generosity helped us raise €60,000 for the preservation of Russborough House & Park,” said Darren Byrne, general manager of Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort.

“It was an honour to unite the community for a night of exceptional dining and entertainment, ensuring the future of one of Ireland’s most treasured estates.”

The Talbot Collection has announced the acquisition of the Absolute Hotel, in Limerick City, marking the group’s latest expansion.

The purchase – the collection’s first in Limerick – brings its portfolio to seven hotels across Wexford, Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Carlow and Limerick, in addition to the Talbot Suites self-catering apartments, the Newbay House exclusive wedding venue, and the Dome entertainment centre, in Carlow.

“We’re proud to expand the Talbot Collection to Limerick – and indeed the west coast – a city full of energy and opportunity,” said Philip Gavin, managing director of the Talbot Collection. “This investment reflects our confidence in Ireland’s hospitality industry and our ongoing commitment to our people and guests.”

A Period Of Sustained Investment

The acquisition continues a period of sustained investment across the Talbot Collection’s portfolio, with multimillion-euro refurbishments completed at the Talbot Hotel Cork and the Talbot Hotel Midleton in 2024, following their rebrand under the unified Talbot identity.

The group has also invested significantly in upgrading guest facilities and staff amenities across all properties in recent years, as part of a long-term strategy focused on quality, innovation and people.

 

Founded in 1994, the Talbot Collection has grown from a single hotel into a diversified hospitality group, encompassing premium hotels, wedding venues, and entertainment destinations.

“Being part of the Talbot Collection offers great opportunities for our team,” said Donnacha Hurley, general manager of the Absolute Hotel. “The Talbot Collection’s people-first culture aligns perfectly with what we’ve built here in Limerick, and we’re excited for the next chapter together.”

The managing director of the Pettitt Group – owner of the Talbot Collection – Cormac Pettitt, added, “The acquisition of the Absolute Hotel is a significant milestone for the Talbot Collection. This is a superb hotel with a great reputation.”

Over 80 tourism businesses from Wexford attended a special Wexford Tourism Seminar and Networking Event in the Whites of Wexford hotel this week.

The event was organised by Fáilte Ireland, in collaboration with Visit Wexford to provide collaborative networking opportunities for tourism and hospitality businesses in the Wexford area to meet and share insights and information.

The event also created a platform for industry to network, with the intent of fostering greater collaboration and cross-selling between accommodation providers, visitor experiences (including activity providers and attractions) and any other business related to tourism in Co. Wexford, to attract more visitors and encourage them to stay longer and spend more in Ireland’s Ancient East.

“We were pleased to have so many Wexford-based tourism businesses attend today’s Wexford Tourism Seminar and Networking event at the Whites of Wexford,” said Orla Delaney, Ireland’s Ancient East Officer, with Fáilte Ireland.

“By bringing a mix of tourism businesses together for this important workshop, we can help to strengthen connections and encourage greater collaboration within the destination.”

 

In July, Fáilte Ireland launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Wexford. Key stakeholders in the area were consulted and contributed to the plan including Wexford County Council, Visit Wexford, Local Enterprise Office.

The Wexford Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.

“The development of the five-year Destination and Expreience Development Plan provides a shared vision and clear direction towards improved development, by strengthening the promotion of the area’s unique features and growing Wexford’s towns as vibrant tourism hubs, encouraging longer stays and deeper exploration through strong tourism clusters and industry collaboration,” said Delaney.