The Killarney Park Hotel, County Kerry has won the 2004 Hotel of the Year accolade. A family run hotel, renowned for its warm atmosphere, the Killarney Park achieved the prestigious award for its service excellence, consummate professionalism and genuine warmth and hospitality. The hotel is owned by Padraig and Janet Treacy, assisted by Deputy Manager Kathryn Cronin. The hotel also won two awards at the hospitality industry’s annual sales and marketing awards at a ceremony in Dublin this month.

The AA Hotel of the Year Award is awarded to hotels that are recognised as being outstanding examples in their particular market. This award makes for exceptionally high standards of accommodation, food and hospitality, reflecting the dedication, professionalism and effort on the part of the owners, management and staff.

Winners of the AA Courtesy and Care Award went to Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare, County Wexford; and the AA Guest Accommodation of the Year Award was won by Moy House, Lahinch, County Clare. According to Conor Faughnan, Public Affairs Manager, AA, “The standards in the Irish hotel and hospitality industry are among the very best in the world. We should be proud of our quality, proud of our professionalism and proud of our ability. Hospitality is an Irish strength; we excel in an industry where standards are already high”.

Pictured; Anthony E. Collins, Chairman AA Motoring Policy Committee with Bill Kelly, Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare, Co Wexford.

The Ramada Hotel chain is to open 37 hotels in Ireland over the next three years in a significant private sector investment in the Irish hospitality industry. The investment totals €307m and will create the largest hotel group in Ireland. A major part of the strategic development will be to tap into the high value golfing breaks market.

Mr. Michael Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Crawfords Investments and Chairman of the IHF’s Marketing Committee, revealed that at least 27 of the hotels will be new build. The remainder will be existing hotels which will be rebranded under the Ramada International – Ireland banner.

At the launch of the Ramada Group Hotel Chain John O’Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, congratulated the parties involved in this new venture and said that he believes there is “room in our market for both existing enterprises and for newcomers and I am confident that with their input, the high standards which our visitors have come to expect and which we in Government, the State Agencies and the industry itself are doing our best to encourage, will be achieved.”

The Food Safety Consultative Council will host an open meeting on 16th November 2004 at the Radisson SAS Hotel Galway. Members of the public are welcome to attend this informative half day event. The theme of the event will be enforcement of food safety legislation within the food industry, a topic that will be of relevance to all food businesses, including hotels, in the Galway area. The FSAI’s partnership with the food industry for the essential goal of consumer protection will be the main focus of the discussion.

The Food Safety Consultative Council was established in accordance with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998. It acts as a forum for debate on food safety issues providing views to the FSAI on areas of relevance.

Booking is essential to secure admittance to this event. Those wishing to reserve a place at the open meeting should contact Miriam McDonald at the FSAI, Tel: 01 817 1341 or email mmcdonald@fsai.ie.

The 18th Irish Times Higher Options three day conference took place at the RDS, Dublin, in September. The event which is primarily aimed at secondary school students, attracted over 25,000 young people and career guidance counsellors from all over the country. The IHF stand enjoyed good interest with hoteliers providing information on their direct experience working in the industry for interested students.

Students from Rathangan Secondary School, Co. Kildare attending the Irish Times Higher Options Conference at the RDS

The 2004/2005 Edition of ‘Get A Life ... in Tourism’ is now available and has been circulated to all IHF members and Career Guidance Counsellors in second level schools throughout Ireland.

The magazine, which is aimed at 15 – 18 year old second level students, highlights the various career opportunities available in the hospitality sector and profiles young people currently working in the industry. The magazine is an important tool in the Federation’s aim to promote the tourism sector as a first choice career for Ireland’s young people.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the properties who contributed in any way to the publication of the magazine.

Those interested in receiving a copy of the magazine can contact the IHF Tel 01 4976459 or mcloughlin@ihf.ie. Get a life…. In Tourism is a joint publication of the IHF and Failte Ireland. It is produced by Jemma Publications.

Perrots Bar, at The Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork has been awarded the Black & White National Hotel Bar of the Year Award. A record number of pubs entered the awards this year and each was judged by a panel of independent judges who visited throughout the early part of the summer. This was followed by a second phase of celebrity judging where selected premises were visited and considered for the overall title of Black & White Pub of the Year. The overall winner was The Bulman of Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

The celebrity judges this year were stars of hit TV series Bachelor’s Walk – Simon Delaney and Keith McErlean, as well as former Miss Ireland, Amanda Brunker.

Other winners included –

• Ulster Hotel Bar of the Year - Café Rennaissance, Mount Errigal Hotel, Co. Donegal
• Leinster Hotel Bar of the Year - Hibernian Bar, Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny
• Dublin City & County Hotel Bar of the Year - The Knight’s Bar, Clontarf Castle, Dublin 3
• Munster Hotel Bar of the Year - Perrots Bar, Hayfield Manor, Cork
• Connaught Hotel Bar of the Year - Croi na G, Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway

Pictured at Black & White Pub of the Year Awards 2004 with John Pearson Managing Director, Edward Dillon and Co Ltd (centre) are Margaret Naughton and John Richardson from The Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork.

A new Aveda Resort Spa has opened at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry which is only one of 15 such concept spas in the world.

The spa incorporates water, steam, thermal, face and body treatments for both men and women, as well as a quiet, warm and peaceful environment in which to escape and unwind. Covering an impressive 10,000 square feet, the spa has 11 treatment rooms offering hydro and wet treatments and highly specialised face and body treatments. In addition, the facility incorporates a slipper bath, manicure and pedicure suite and relaxation area. The Spa and the hotel’s recently renovated hair salon use Aveda’s exclusive products.

Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, County Kerry, has been named as a recipient of the prestigious RAC Blue Ribbon Award for its consistent commitment to excellence in customer care, accommodation and service. This award is a major accolade for the four star, family managed hotel located on private grounds on the outskirts of Tralee Town.

According to Padraig McGillicuddy, General Manager, Ballygarry House Hotel: “The annual RAC Awards are widely regarded as the oscars of the Irish and UK hospitality industry and we are delighted that our commitment to superior quality in all aspects of our service has been recognised at such a high level”.

Ballygarry House Hotel is situated on six acres of private, mature gardens at the foot of the Kerry Mountains. The hotel has 31 standard guestrooms, nine superior guestrooms and six junior suites. The hotel also features an extensive banqueting facility with a capacity to cater for 360 people.

Ireland rugby star Ronan O’Gara recently paid a visit to Youghal in East Cork where he officially opened the new Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre. The Quality Hotel Youghal boasts 24 ensuite guestrooms ranging from double rooms to family rooms, along with family two bedroom apartment suites, which are fully self-catering.

The hotel has an enviable location on the Blue Flag beach at Redbarn, Youghal, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The twelfth Quality Hotel to be developed in Ireland, this property opened its doors to business on 1st June 2004. Since the hotel opened in Youghal, it has created over 60 jobs.

The property has a Club Vitae Leisure Centre equipped with an indoor heated swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, sauna, steam room, spa pool and children’s pool along with four beauty treatments and therapy suites.

Pictured at the opening of the Quality Hotel Youghal are (l-r) Mr. Ollie Casey, Mayor Of Youghal, Peter Brennan, Group Operations Manager, Choice Hotels Ireland, with International Rugby Star Ronan O’Gara.

Last month the staff of the Radisson SAS Hotel Limerick pushed a 1,100 litre wheelie bin through the streets of Limerick to raise money for Bluebell ABA pre-school for children with Autism.

The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill recently hosted a massive party for over 600 special children and their families as part of a ‘Share a Dream’ initiative. The event marked the grand finale to five fantastic fun filled days spent in Galway where children from all over Ireland who suffer from a range of illnesses, along with their minders, joined Galway children for a very unique and special holiday.

“It is an absolute honour for our management and staff to host this event,” says Mr. Dan Murphy, General Manager of the Galway Bay Hotel. “When we heard that Shay Kinsella of the Share a Dream Foundation was organising the biggest children’s party ever in Ireland, and it was going to take place in Galway, we were delighted to come on board and support this fantastic foundation, who are dedicated to bringing happiness to special children from all over Ireland” he said.

“We have received so much fantastic support from so many businesses and volunteers in Galway for these special children and their families. This is such a wonderful gesture from the Galway Bay Hotel, and is the icing on a very big cake” said Shay Kinsella of the Share a Dream Foundation.

Jarleth Mullin from Omagh, Co. Tyrone pictured with “Chicken” at the Share a Dream Foundation’s Farewell Party in The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill.

The Marriott Druids Glen Hotel & Country Club has been awarded the Excellence Through People Award from FÁS. The annual awards are Ireland’s national standard for human resource development. The award is a recognition of good quality training and human resource development. The awards aim to further encourage employers to develop the potential of their staff.

Pictured at the announcement (l-r) are - Noel Tracey Minister of State, Department of Agriculture & Food; Padraig McCarthy, Director of Food & Beverage; Gretta Nash HR Co-Ordinator; Amanda Meade, Director of HR; BJ Schreuder, General Manager, Marriott Druids Glen Hotel & Country Club and John Butler, Manager of Excellence Through People.

An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, recently visited Mount Wolseley Country Resort to inspect the new hotel and its facilities.

Commenting on the new resort, An Taoiseach said: “I am very impressed with this fantastic new facility in Tullow. The attention to detail and the level of finishing is on a par with anything that I have seen throughout the world. I am delighted that Donal Morrissey and his team are committed to bringing such a high quality product to the heart of Ireland. I wish them all the best with this venture and I look forward to returning again.”

Mount Wolseley Country Resort is set on a 200 acre estate and features an 18 hole Christy O’Connor designed golf course. Accommodation at the resort features 142 luxury bedrooms, including 12 suites, conference and banqueting facilities for up to 750 people, a 180-seater restaurant, lounge, bar, leisure centre, pool and a state of the art spa which is due to open in January 2005.

Conrad Hotels Ireland has appointed Eoghan Sadlier as Regional Director of Business Development. Eoghan joins the Conrad team from Aer Lingus, where he held a number of senior sales and marketing positions in Ireland, the UK and Europe. In his new role, Eoghan will direct the business development and marketing operations for Conrad Hotels in Ireland including the Conrad Dublin and the Mount Juliet Conrad. Eoghan holds a degree in Modern Languages from UCC and is also a graduate in Business Management from DCU.

The Clarence Hotel has appointed Nick Munier as Food & Beverage Manager and Keith Hallissey as The Tea Room Restaurant Manager. Nick Munier joined the Clarence in 2002 from Marco Pierre White’s Belvedere Restaurant in London where he was General Manager. Prior to this Nick worked as Restaurant Manager in Peacock Alley and in Patrick Guillbaud’s restaurant before taking up the reigns as Restaurant Manager of The Tea Room at The Clarence. Keith Hallissey was part of the original team who set up The Tea Room restaurant, when the Clarence re-opened in 1996. Keith has previously worked with Nick at Peacock Alley before a stint working overseas in Sydney. On his return, Keith worked at the Irish Royal Yacht Club before returning to The Clarence in April 2003.

Knockranny House Hotel has appointed Stephen O'Connell as Deputy General Manager. Stephen joins from The Sligo Park Hotel and has previously worked with the Lee Hotel Group, Glenlo Abbey and Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara. A native of Galway, Stephen holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from Athlone IT.

The proprietor of the Park Hotel Kenmare, Francis Brennan told Innsight how hindsight is a wonderful thing!

With falling numbers of hotel bookings in the wake of September 11, Francis Brennan decided to take action and to open what is now regarded as one of the world’s most sought after destination spas. The Hotel’s numbers this year are up by 72% compared with last year.

It’s easy today for Francis and John Brennan, the driving forces behind the deluxe Park Hotel in Kenmare, to look back to 2002 and pat each other on the back.

That was when they took the bold decision to expand the business - not just to expand the property, but also to build what is now being regarded as one of the world’s most sought after destination spas. SÁMAS, as it is known, was a bold move indeed that is being rewarded by record visitor numbers in 2004.

They know now that their decision was, in fact, a much bolder stratagem than either man could ever have thought at the time. Trade that year was not great, as might have been expected in the wake of September 11 2001. But the real shakeout in tourist terms from that dreadful event had yet to strike.

A lot of bookings were in the pipeline for 2002 when those atrocities stunned the world but they weren’t repeated the following year as Americans seriously curtailed their travel plans. The falloff in demand hit home in the 2003 season – the only year, recalls Francis, that the Park lost money since he acquired the property 18 years ago. “Nobody made money in this business that year, I would wager”, he suggested.

It’s partly a measure of how poor a year 2003 was that The Park’s numbers are up 72% this year. But that actually underestimates the strength of a performance that sees visitor numbers this year running even 12% ahead of 2000 – and, as everybody in the industry knows, that was arguably the best year ever. The new dynamic for The Park is the Spa opened almost a year ago. “The focus of this hotel has changed as a result of this expansion”, explains Francis, who said he would be surprised if his peers were having quite as good a year.

The brothers at first looked at simply adding more bedrooms but quickly realised this would merely increase the capacity but wouldn’t change the product. A leisure type centre, one that would offer a few treatment rooms and cover c. 2,000 sq feet was also considered, but it too did not do the trick.

“Twelve years ago I considered the Spa idea but didn’t do anything about it. We thought about it again and decided “Let’s do it – but we must do it right”. They chased down Susan Harmsworth who runs London-based E’Spa and ended up commissioning a dramatic contemporary extension to the Victorian gothic style hotel.

“She was delighted to find we had no definite site in mind, that ours would be a greenfield spa”, says Francis. “It meant she could create from the ground up”.

The Brennans were keen to use an area of woodland beside the hotel as a setting. This meant excavating several tons of rock to make way for the two storey spa building. The rock didn’t go to waste - it was used to create a wall that runs down the middle of the building.

Two trees had to go to make way for the building but Francis is proud that they too have been incorporated as award-winning furniture in the spa.

So they set about creating a world-class spa - something that would be a destination in itself that would cater for the international market of people who travel the world just to stay in places of real relaxation.

The cost, a serious commitment of €5m, has produced a spec only matched by a relatively small number of international spas such as those to be found at Sandy Lane, Mandarin Oriental hotels in London and Miami, and Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The investment has worked by broadening the appeal of the hotel and has also significantly lowered the age profile of its customers. “Traditionally our visitors were couples, typically averaging mid 50s, mortgage paid, kids gone, who liked to relax by reading books, walking or whatever. Now we are also attracting a younger aged customer and the average length of stay has risen from 2.8 days to 4, he points out.

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