03.12.2014

PAUL GALLAGHER GENERAL MANAGER, BUSWELLS HOTEL, DUBLIN WAS ANNOUNCED HOSPITALITY MANAGER OF THE YEAR – HOTEL, AT THE IRISH HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE FOUNDERS’ BANQUET & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT AWARDS 2014.

 

L to R: Liam Kavanagh, The Irish Times, Paul Gallagher, General Manager, Buswells Hotel, Dublin, Nicky Logue FIHI, President, Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI).

Ireland's top  squad of hotel managers fighting for the "Hospitality Manager of the Year - Hotel Award 2014 at the Irish Hospitality Annual Awards last night, Thursday 27th November, at the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin.  Also in the picture are Nicky Logue, President, IHI, Natasha Kinsella, CEO, IHI with Chef Neven Maguire.

One of the most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry was presented tonight (Thursday 27th November, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin) to Paul Gallagher, General Manager, Buswells Hotel, Dublin 2 when he was awarded Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 - Hotel, at the Irish Hospitality Institute Founders’ Banquet and Hospitality Management Awards 2014, presided by Nicky Logue, FIHI President IHI.  The Gala Awards Ceremony was held at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4 and presided over as Master of Ceremonies, Maurice Bergin FIHI.
 
In his opening address, President of IHI, Nicky Logue FIHI acknowledged the feat of the Irish Rugby team in the Aviva Stadium during the last three week-ends and added that this hallowed soil was an apt venue to inspire all present and celebrate the Awards to the Best Professionals in the Hospitality Industry.
 
“It is a time for celebration! More than 500,000 additional foreign visitors arrived in Ireland between January and September this year, many facilitated by additional airline routes and the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area Visa Arrangements.  Vat was retained at 9% and this rate and should now be made permanent as it has been effective in sustaining the hospitality industry and in creating more than 20,000 additional jobs over the last three years”, he added.  
 
Mr Logue also put much emphasis on the importance of the IHI Continual Development Programme which is core to the beliefs of the Institute in staying ahead of change and in facilitating the important contribution and input by the IHI into Tourism Policy.
 
“In the best traditions of continuous development, Fiacra Nagle, Managing Director of Compass Group Ireland (the caterer at Aviva Stadium) and his team forged a partnership with renowned Chef, Neven Maguire, to work with Compass on the creation of a new premium offering. The outcome of that collaboration was celebrated when Neven Maguire presented “A taste of McNean House’ -  a menu specially created for the IHI Founders’ Banquet 2014”, he said.
 
Mr Logue concluded by thanking all IHI Patrons, Sponsors of the Awards and all 450 people in attendance and congratulated all those shortlisted for the awards. 

2014 IHI AWARDS LIST

Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 – Hotel
Paul Gallagher, General Manager, Buswells Hotel, Dublin.
Award sponsored by The Irish Times.
 
Paul Gallagher, FIHI, is General Manager of Buswells Hotel, renowned for its friendly staff and great location in the heart of Dublin City centre.  During his 17 year tenure at Buswells, Paul has delivered continuous financial growth, and he has been the driving force at leading changes during the recent difficult years to make the hotel the success it is today.  A born leader, he heads a committed team of 52 employees, all of whom are dedicated to delivering the highest standards in customer care and service.
 
Paul has also worked tirelessly to promote the tourist industry positioning it to grow and develop. He is currently Chairman of the Irish Country Hotels and Vice-Chairman of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC).
 
Paul has a natural aptitude for the Hospitality Industry; he is a highly motivated, energetic and focused person who thrives on the continual challenges the business offers.
 
Young Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014
Ronan O’Halloran, Front Office Manager, The Westbury Hotel, Dublin - The Doyle Collection.
Award Sponsored by Jumeirah Group.
 
Ronan joined The Westbury Hotel 4 years ago as an Assistant Operations Manager and was promoted to his current role of Front Office Manager in 2012. Ronan currently manages a team of nine managers and 39 full time employees. He takes to managing the entire Front of House Department by creating a group of motivated, guest focused individuals.
 
Prize - As winner of The Jumeirah Group Award Ronan gets a once in a lifetime mentoring opportunity to spend time and enjoy a work experience in the  Jumeriah Hotel Group in Dubai.
 
Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 – Human Resources
Michael O’Neill, Director of HR, The Westin Hotel, Dublin.
Award sponsored by Noel Recruitment.
 
Michael is a well-respected and established member of the Executive Committee in The Westin Hotel, Dublin - the team responsible for the hotels strategic direction. Michael’s passion is people and he provides great leadership in areas such as change management, engagement, collaboration and communication.
 
Michael is a young, dynamic and collaborative hands-on leader of a diverse workforce with excellent training, motivation and leadership skills. He works closely with all levels of the business to ensure success.
 
Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 – Environmental
Gerry Eustace, Project Manager, The Croke Park Hotel, Dublin - The Doyle Collection.
Award sponsored by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
 
Gerry’s 35 years’ experience as Facilities and Project Manager enables him to effectively lead the team at The Croke Park Hotel by recognising the individual strengths and attributes of each member of the team, and soliciting and applying those resources to the hotel’s Environmental and Energy program.
 
Gerry leads by example, he assists in every way possible throughout the hotel and is 100% guest focused at all times.
 
Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 – Revenue
Amanda O’Donovan, Revenue Manager, The River Lee Hotel, Cork- The Doyle Collection.
Award sponsored by Bookassist.
 
Financial targets at The River Lee Hotel have been exceeded each year since Amanda joined the team 3 years ago. She is responsible for the development of the annual budgets for rooms’ revenue at the hotel as well for the management of all booking and revenue channels, including the production of weekly, monthly and yearly analyses.
 
Amanda takes advantage of the extensive training provided by the Doyle Collection and is currently taking part in a Sales Relationship course as well as the Proud to Lead - Young Manager Development Course. Amanda leads the revenue module of this course and is delighted to share her expertise.
 
Hospitality Manager of the Year 2014 – CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
Anne Trebett, HR Manager, The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin.
Award sponsored by Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD).
 
Anne is a senior member of the Management team at The Fitzwilliam Hotel. She is not only responsible for the training and development of the staff and managers within The Fitzwilliam Hotel but also for 4 Star Pizza and The Bailey.
 
Her key focus is on maintaining customer service satisfaction by introducing the “right” staff to the “right” role and creating and developing training plans suitable to the needs of the business and staff.
 

ENROLMENT INTO THE COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
 
Martin Cassidy, Managing Director, Cassidys Hotel, Dublin.
 
Martin Cassidy graduated from the Trainee Manager Programme with the Doyle Hotel Group. After spending over 4 years in the Burlington Hotel, he left to open Cassidys Hotel in 1996. He became General Manager of Cassidys in 1998 at the age of 26 and is currently the Managing Director of the hotel.
 
Martin is actively involved in the hospitality industry. He is a former chairman of the Irish Hotels Federation Dublin Branch and has served on the Federation’s national council for nine years. He served as a director of Dublin Tourism from 2007 to 2011 where he chaired the Dublin Convention Bureau Advisory Board. He currently sits on the Management Council of the North Dublin Business and Cultural Community.
 
Martin is a long standing member of the IHI and joined the IHI National Council earlier this year.
 
He is married to Fiona and is father to Oonagh (11), Cormac (10) and Niamh (9).
 
Julie Morrisey – Managing Director, Stephens Catering Equipment.
 
A leader within the hospitality industry for several years, Julie Morrisey’s professional career started in 1997, when joined her long established family business Stephens Catering Equipment, where she is now Managing Director.  She completed her Masters in Executive Leadership in 2009 while also running the company which now employs in excess of 130 staff.
 
Julie has a strong affiliation with the hospitality industry having 'grown up' in the business and through this understanding and appreciation she has, over the years, generously given back to the industry.
 
As Chairperson for the Catering Equipment Association (CEA), Julie was instrumental in the evolution of that organisation into its current industry encompassing Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA).  She was a previous Chairperson of IFSA and is now a board member. She is also Director and Treasurer of the Hospitality Trust and is working with her fellow board members to constantly expand the benevolence reach of the trust.
 
She is a mother of two young boys, a keen horsewoman and plays a constant balancing act of family life, career and industry affinities.
 
Conal O’Neill, Group Operations Manager, Dalata Hotel Group.
 
Conal is Group Operations Manager at Dalata Hotel Group where he has operating responsibility for some 37 hotels across Ireland and the UK. He joined Dalata Hotel Group earlier this year having previously been Managing Director of Pillo Hotels, a hotel management company backed by Ion Equity which operated 6 hotels across Ireland.
 
Conal first joined the Institute as a student in the late 80’s, and has remained a member since that time. His early experience was gained at Dromoland Castle Hotel and the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Geneva. After graduating from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology in 1991 with a BA (Hons) in Hotel & Catering Management, he joined Jurys Hotel Group as an Assistant Manager in their Cork Hotel. Over a period of 15 years he held General Manager positions in Cork, Belfast and Manchester before taking on a Regional General Manager role and then a Group General Manager role with responsibility for 9 properties across the UK. 
 
A Limerick native who lives in Kilkenny, Conal is married to Mary who also has a background in the industry. They have three children who hail from Belfast, Manchester and Birmingham. He is a former Vice President of the Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland and a former Board Member of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau. He enjoys golf, motorsport and reading biographies.

ENROLMENT TO THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
 
Alexis FitzGerald
 
A graduate of the Shannon College of Hotel Management, Alexis Fitzgerald started his career in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare and moved to the Hibernian Hotel, Dawson Street in Dublin where he was first employed as an Assistant Manager, before becoming the Acting General Manager.
 
Alexis left the Hibernian to open The Abbot Restaurant in Monkstown in 1979.  This quickly became a great success and won many awards including; The Bord Fáilte Award, The AA Award and a mention in Michelin. While involved directly in the restaurant business, Alexis was Chairman of the Restaurant Association of Ireland and played a pivotal role in the campaign for licensing of restaurants.
 
Alexis left the restaurant business to become a consultant to others in the industry. He was a director of Dublin Tourism for several years and actively involved in the Dublin Millennium celebrations of 1988.
 
Alexis joined the Irish Hotel & Catering Institute in 1971 (now the IHI) and became Deputy Chairman, before becoming the first Secretary General when he spearheaded the establishment of the College of Fellows.
 
In recent years, Alexis has become a painter specialising in oils, mainly landscapes & still life, and he exhibits throughout the year, in Dublin.  He is married to Helen Collins and they have three daughters: Ellenore, Imogen and Cliodna.
 

 

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