Two Waterford Hotels receive regional awards
Patrick Kickham-Lennon, IHF South East Branch Chair; Louise Prendergast (Viking Hotel Waterford) and Michael Magner, IHF President. Photo: Dylan Vaughan
The Granville and The Viking Hotel in Waterford were both handed awards this week for their contribution to hospitality in the south east.
Over 155 guests attended the annual IHF (Irish Hotels Federation) ‘Christmas Gathering and Employee of the Year Awards’ to celebrate and recognise 21 nominees from hotels and guesthouses across the South East who have made an outstanding contribution.
At the event, IHF President Michael Magner congratulated all the nominees and spoke about the exceptional people within the sector.
He said highlighted how they had contributed to tourism and hospitality and how they helped its success as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods – including over 28,000 jobs throughout the South East.
On the night, ‘Long Service Awards’ were presented to Margaret Foley (Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel) and Dave Lacey (Tower Hotel, Waterford), a ‘Highly Commended Award’ was awarded to Rachael Campbell (Granville Hotel, Waterford) and ‘Certificates of Recognition’ were presented to Monica Devereux (Seafield Hotel & Spa Resort, Wexford) and Louise Prendergast (Viking Hotel, Waterford).
The judging panel was composed of Ray Cullen (Hospitality Training Consultant), Tracy Hegarty (Shannon College of Hotel Management) and Frankie Whelan (Montenotte Hotel & The Wilder Townhouse, Dublin) who had the difficult job of selecting a winner.
Emma-Mai Roche, Equine Concierge at Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary was announced as the 24/25 IHF South East Branch, ‘Employee of the Year’ at the ceremony in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. Congratulating Emma-Mai on the award, IHF South East Branch Chair, Patrick Kickham-Lennon said that when selecting her as the winner, the judges highlighted Emma-Mai’s vitality, passion for her work and clear vision.
