News Blog - Hotel and Catering Review

Conrad Dublin reached out across the globe encouraging sister 5 star hotels to “Go Green” on St. Patrick’s Day with tremendous success

2019 marks the 30th anniversary of Conrad Dublin, the first Conrad globally to reach and celebrate this milestone and for the first time ever, turned their lights to green for the St. Patrick’s Weekend festivities. To celebrate, they launched a marketing initiative, reaching out to sister Conrad and Waldorf Astoria luxury properties around the world, inviting them to ‘go green’ on St. Patrick’s Day. The idea was inspired by Tourism [...]

2018 Winners Announced

Adare Manor Named Supreme Winner at 2018 Gold Medal Awards Following a stunning refurbishment, Limerick’s Adare Manor was named Supreme Winner and Ireland’s Five Star Hotel (sponsored by Astoria Partnership) at the 2018 Gold Medal Awards, in association with Hotel & Catering Review. Celebrating a remarkable 30 years, the Gold Medal Awards are the leading independent awards for the Irish hospitality industry and aim to recognise [...]

Ballina welcomes Food Fleadh

Above: Food Fleadh Ballina Mixologists by the Moy. The annual Food Fleadh Ballina returns to the Mayo town for its fifth year this month. A four-day programme is planned, running from September 27th to the 30th, with visitors and locals set to enjoy a variety of family-friendly events ranging from foraging sessions along the Wild Atlantic Way and children's cookery classes to art-inspired workshops and a [...]

Mid-West welcomes Irish Quality Food Awards

Above: Joe O'Connor from Truly Irish and Caroline Rigney from Rigney's Farm in Curraghchase, at the showcase in Limerick. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 Judging of the upcoming Irish Quality Food Awards moved from Dublin to its new location at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). Three weeks of judging were held at LIT during the month of July, culminating in a networking showcase of the best produce in [...]

Minister Griffin launches Irish Tourism Industry Awards

Above: Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Brendan Griffin TD; Conor Hennigan, MD, Hennigan Hospitality Services; and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation at the launch of the Irish Tourism Industry Awards. The biennial Irish Tourism Industry Awards are set to return in February 2019, launched yesterday by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin. Organised by the Irish Tourism Industry [...]

Irish whiskey industry calls for advertising restriction rethink

The Irish Whiskey Association – part of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland – has called for last-minute changes to be made to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in a bid to protect Ireland's whiskey tourism sector and the country's small distillers. Under the current Bill, a ban would be enacted on free-standing way-marking or directional signage with the name of a distillery or alcohol brand [...]

The Monasterboice Inn renovation EXEEDs expectations

By Mark Conroy Based in Drogheda, the Monasterboice Inn had a bit of problem. They wanted to extend their premises but also understood the increased energy costs and impact on the climate that can come with expansion. Being aware of this, they sought support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). With the SEAI’s assistance, The Monasterboice was able to reduce energy costs while extending [...]

Cork Gourmet Trail set for September

Above: Sinead Ryan, Imperial Hotel; Alfonso Giugciano, Cornstore; Jennifer Lipinski, .Oyster Tavern, Bryan McCarthy, Greenes Restaurant & Cask; and Ronan Marshell, CoqBull, at the launch of the Cork Gourmet Trail. Photo: Joleen Cronin The Cork Gourmet Trail, a popular trail for food lovers, returns on Saturday September 22nd with a special black tie dinner in aid of a worthy cause. The day will begin with a [...]

Lyrath Estate gardens undergo revamp

Photo: Ken Walsh The gardens at Kilkenny's Lyrath Estate, which will host the upcoming Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards, have been redesigned by Caragh Nurseries. The revamp reflect the mix of old and new present at Lyrath Estate, featuring traditional urns, modern fibreglass planters, grape vines and pyramid-shaped trees. Contemporary bonsai formed trees welcome visitors at the new hotel entrance, while at the restaurant overlooking [...]

Adare Manor scoops global award

Above: Paul Heery, General Manager, Adare Manor and Anita Higgins, Director of Business Development, Adare Manor. Photo: Robert Stanzione Great news for Adare Manor – the recently rejuvenated hotel has won Hotel of the Year 2018 at the renowned Global Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards. The awards ceremony, which took place in Las Vegas on Thursday, marked the 12th annual awards, recognising Virtuoso Hotels and [...]

3Arena hosts one of the largest-ever sit-down catered events

Dublin's 3Arena hosted one of Ireland's largest sit-down dinners this week, with more than 2,240 international corporate tourists enjoying a gala dinner as part of their four-day trip. The large-scale event was managed by the 3Arena's Operational team, led by Cormac Rennick and Virginia Fortune, working with the team behind Odyssey International (which arranged the tourists' visit) and catered for by Eunice Power – the 3Arena's [...]

Irish Guild of Sommeliers announces World Contest candidate

Julie Dupouy-Young, the Irish Guild of Sommeliers' Best Sommelier of Ireland for 2018, will represent the Guild at the ASI World Sommelier Contest in Antwerp, Belgium next year. The announcement was made by the President of the Irish Guild Oliver Murtagh. Dupouy-Young has held the Irish Guild’s title of Ireland’s Best Sommelier since 2009. The deputy candidate Tomasz Szczepanski was also named for the contest. Dupouy-Young [...]

#BlackBushStories series joins Irish whiskey and leather craft

Above: Jason Karayiannis. Photo: Rob Durston If you've got an interest in whiskey and leather, you're in luck. The next event in the #BlackBushStories series will be hosted by Irish leatherworker Jason Karayiannis, in the form a hands-on workshop at Dublin's Drury Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday August 29th. Jason is the driving force behind Father's Father, a Belfast-based business that produces handmade leather goods combining quality [...]

Say I do with Deliveroo

The wedding catering business has got some new competition. Delivery service Deliveroo has joined the fray, working with restaurant partners to cater for couples' big day and offering a wide range of cuisine to suit all tastes and requirements. The company's wedding service will work outside of the app, with clients receiving a dedicated account manager to help them go through their options. Prospective couples are [...]

Airfield hosts food festivities

The annual Airfield Festival of Food returns to Airfield Estate in Dundrum on September 8th and 9th. Now in its fourth year, with over 15,000 people expected to descend over both days, the festival has been expanded to include a mindful and nature area, food demos, craft beers, a music stage, gardening zone (this year they're looking for the hottest chilli) and much more. This year's event [...]

Drumshanbo Gunpowder creator among EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalists

Above: Pat Rigney. Photo: Fennell Photography PJ Rigney, the creator of the internationally-acclaimed Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, is among the finalists of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The 24 finalists were shortlisted from over 110 nominations from across the island, selected by an independent judging panel. The finalists are provided with the opportunity to connect, learn from and do business with the EY [...]

Chef Network Skillnet announces autumn schedule

Photo: Julia Dunin Chef Network Skillnet, the training arm of Irish professional chef community Chef Network, has announced a series of 34 training events taking place across the country this autumn. The events, which will be peer-led, will be designed to address key challenges across the hospitality and foodservice sectors. A focus will be placed on personal and leadership skills, business skills and culinary skills through [...]

Irish gold

Main image: Miss Mels Photography Peter McCloskey, founder of Collar of Gold, chats to Conor Forrest about how his natural Irish vegetable oil is making waves. For the most part, chefs have a choice of one of two edible oils – those that are chemically extracted and chemically refined (e.g. regular cooking oils), and those extracted using physical processes (cold-pressed oils and their extra-virgin equivalents). The [...]

Beating Brexit

With the date for Britain’s exit from the EU fast approaching, Hotel & Catering Review examines the current state of play in Ireland’s hospitality sector and assesses what those businesses should be doing to prepare beforehand. Although there is less than a year to go until the UK exits the EU, no definitive account of what Ireland’s relationship with our nearest neighbours will look like has [...]

Ballygarry House takes the green path

Above: Ballygarry's Green Team leaders. Tralee's Ballygarry House Hotel is among the businesses across the country and around the world taking steps to reduce the environmental damage caused by pollution. Small steps including the introduction of paperless checkouts and refillable soap dispensers have been augmented by the hotel's dedicated Green Team overseen by Deputy General Manager Tadhg McGillicuddy. The team comprises members from every department at [...]

The social side: Getting started on social media

Hotel & Catering Review spoke to BoomMedia’s Rob Tierney to discover his top tips in setting up a social media presence for your business. In this day and age, people look at you strangely if you don’t maintain a presence on social media. After all, brands of all shapes and sizes across the globe target their specific audience via digital platforms – a useful method of connecting [...]

Hard Rock International announces first Dublin hotel

Above: An artist's impression of the upcoming Hard Rock Hotel Dublin. Image: Digital Aspect Hard Rock International has announced plans to expand its portfolio to Ireland, with Hard Rock Hotel Dublin set to open in 2020. The organisation is working in collaboration with Tifco Limited on the project, which will be located in the city centre on Lord Edward Street. The impending hotel will comprise two [...]

Irish chef awarded Freedom of the City of London

Above: Sodexo chef David Mulcahy (right) receiving the Freedom of the City of London from Murray Craig, Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall, London along with fellow chef Steve Munkley. David Mulcahy, Food Innovation Director with Sodexo UK and Ireland, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his contribution to the hospitality industry and culinary excellence in the UK. [...]

Met Eireann launches Mount Juliet weather station

Above: Met Eireann launches one of their Climatological Automatic Weather Stations at Mount Juliet Estate. Pictured with Siobhan Ryan, RTÉ weather presenter, are Pat O’Reilly, Estate Manager and Matt Sandercock, Director of Golf. Photo: Patrick Browne Mount Juliet Estate will be keeping an even closer weather eye on the horizon from now on, having recently played host to the launch of one of Met Éireann's Climatological [...]

National Off-Licence Association calls for State support

Ninety-eight per cent of National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) members believe that the government isn't doing enough to protect Irish SMEs, while 37 per cent would hire more staff if excise duty on alcohol is reduced by 15 per cent. Those and other statistics have been unveiled as part of NOffLA's pre-Budget submission to the Department of Finance for Budget 2019, resulting from an annual survey of [...]