News Blog - Hotel and Catering Review

Aniar welcomes Christophe Dufau

Above: JP McMahon and Christophe Dufau. Galway's Michelin star Aniar Restaurant will welcome French chef Christophe Dufau into their kitchen on June 15th and 16th, as part of the Chef Swap at Aniar series. Dufau will run the kitchen alongside Aniar chef-patron JP McMahon over the two days, and a highly creative menu featuring items from the West of Ireland is expected. McMahon will take Defau [...]

Bushmills explores the world of photography with #BlackBushStories

Photo: Rob Durston Bushmills Irish Whiskey has announced the first in its series of #BlackBushStories events, aimed at showcasing and celebrating those who have gone against the grain to pursue a passion and rise to the top of their field. A mobile photography masterclass will be held at Dublin's Drury Buildings on Wednesday June 20th, hosted by street photographer Freddy Kelly. Kelly, who is also known [...]

The Ivy to open Dublin location

The Ivy Dawson Street - Artist's impression. World-famous London restaurant The Ivy is planning to cross the Irish Sea this summer, having recently announced it will open its first international brasserie in Dublin city centre. The latest addition to the capital's culinary landscape will be located at 13-17 Dawson Street and will be overseen by General Manager Jamie Belton and Head Chef Nick Lentini. The restaurant [...]

Redcastle Hotel scoops second Rosette

Donegal's Redcastle Hotel & Spa has been celebrating its second AA Rosette award for The Edge Restaurant, which came as part of the AA Hospitality award scheme's annual assessment. The scheme recognises cooking at different levels across Ireland and the UK, and is based on an on-site AA Hospitality inspection. Chefs are also highlighted for their consistent skills and expertise, alongside their care and attention to [...]

Knorr opens Carvery Competition

Head Chef Kevin Watson and General Manager David Morrison of the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen, the best hotel carvery in 2017, with Jim Reeves and Mark McCarthy, Unilever Food Solutions. Entries have opened for the annual Great Carvery Competition, supported by Knorr and now in its ninth year. To enter, you must complete an online entry form describing why your carvery is the best. Shortlisted nominees [...]

New hotel collection promises ‘unforgettable Irish experiences’

Pictured: A four poster deluxe room at Dingle Benners Hotel. Photo: Pawel Nowak Ireland's newest hotel group was launched in the opulent surroundings of the Hibernian Club, St Stephens Green on May 2nd. Original Irish Hotels is a new tourism and hospitality brand representing 60 independent, owner-run hotels across the country, and promises to champion individuality, diversity, and authenticity among its members. The brand – which is [...]

M&P O’Sullivan gears up for 2018 trade show

M&P O'Sullivan, one of Munster's longest-running foodservice wholesalers, has announced that preparations are underway for its trade show on Wednesday April 18th at Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The trade show will highlight the firm's range of products, particularly the most in-demand items currently on offer from their catalogue. Visitors on the day can meet suppliers, take a look at new and upcoming product launches, and avail [...]

PREM Group wins national HR award

PREM Group, one of Europe's leading hotel operators, has been recognised for its new online learning programme developed to help staff members recognise the signs of potential child sex trafficking. The programme, which won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the recent Irish HR Champions awards, was developed with MECPATHS, an Irish organisation that raises awareness within the hospitality sector of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. [...]

Inchydoney Lodge & Spa to hold recruitment open day

Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, just outside the town of Clonakilty, has announced it will hold a walk-in recruitment day this Friday March 30th. Running from 12 noon to 3pm, interested individuals are invited to bring their Cvs, meet the hotel's staff and take part in interviews on the day. The hotel currently employs more than 150 people and business growth over the past few years [...]

AVEA holds inaugural conference

Eight months after its establishment, the Association of Visitor Experiences & Attractions (AVEA) is holding its inaugural conference in Croke Park today. The aim of the conference is to bring together businesses within the sector to share knowledge and insights in a bid to boost future growth. The theme of the conference is 'Planning for Future Success' and features a number of speakers including Charles Coyle, [...]

2016 Winners

Ireland's City Hotel Sponsored By Kantar Media The Westbury, Dublin Ireland's Industrial Caterer Sponsored By Excel Recruitment Pavilion at UL, Limerick Ireland's Casual Dining Experience Sponsored By Keelings Farm Fresh Anocht, Kilkenny Ireland's Three Star Hotel Killeen House Hotel, Kerry Ireland's Wine Experience Sponsored By Febvre & Company Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork Ireland's Newcomer Restaurant Pickle Restaurant, Dublin Event Caterer Of The Year Sponsored By Keelings Farm [...]

2017 Sponsors

Proud Sponsors of Ireland's Best Hotel Website Category Digisoft specialise in immersive guest experiences for the hospitality and tourism industry. By using state-of-the-art virtual reality tours as well as mobile and beacon technology we have made it our business to transform how your guests perceive and interact with your business. Proud Sponsors of Ireland's Hotel Breakfast Category Bespoke Food Service solutions from Ireland’s Favourite Porridge brand Ireland’s favourite [...]

2016 Gallery & Video

To view photos of the 2016 Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards, click through the gallery below. To view thumbnails, Click Here

Industry welcomes permit changes

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) are among those welcoming changes to Employment Permit Regulations that will help to ease the current staffing crisis. The changes, which Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys has signed off on, will make it easier for Irish hospitality businesses to source chefs from outside the European Union. Certain chef grades have been [...]

Prestigious chef to open IFEX 2018

IFEX 2018 – this year's largest food, hospitality and retail exhibition – will be opened by Michelin star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. The trade-only event, which will run in Belfast's Titanic Exhibition Centre from March 20th–22nd, has been described as a melting pot for those working within the food, drink, retail and hospitality sectors. One of the main attractions is Salon Culinaire, Northern Ireland's prestigious chef [...]

Hoteliers look to technology to grow visitor numbers

Hoteliers in Ireland are looking to technology to help boost visitor numbers, particularly from overseas. According to a survey conducted by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) of hotel and guesthouse owners and general manager, released as part of their annual conference held in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan today, capital investment projects in 2018 will include technology aimed at improving guest experiences and business operations. One of [...]

Hoteliers call for action on insurance costs

Ireland's hoteliers are calling for action on rising insurance costs, which are set to reach €60 million this year. According to an industry survey published by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) in advance of its 80th annual conference, more than 80 per cent of hoteliers believe this increase will have a 'significant negative impact' on their business. Joe Dolan, outgoing President of the IHF, describes the [...]

Taste Of Dublin Returns

Dublin's Iveagh Gardens will play host to four days of food, drink and entertainment this summer as Taste of Dublin returns to the city centre from June 14th to 17th. Featuring some of Ireland's best food and top chefs from around the country, this year's theme is 'Food Lovers Playground' with a wide variety of restaurants, producers, bars and exhibitors displaying their creations and talents. Live [...]

New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to launch in June

Good news for fans of transporting goods in style – the third-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter goes on sale here in June. It's got big boots to fill as the last two were named Ireland's Van of the Year when they were introduced. At the very least there's plenty of choice. Six body variants, three body heights, five weight classes, five wheelbases, three diesel engines, the option of front, [...]

Adare Manor wins six awards at National Cocktail Championships

The National Cocktail Championships and Bartender Awards were held on February 9th last in Limerick. Hosted by the Bartenders Association of Ireland, the awards recognise the expertise of Ireland's mixologists. Among the winners on the night was Adare Manor, which picked up an unprecedented six awards. Resident mixologist Aerial Sanecki received three awards including the overall National Cocktail Champion gong. Finbarr Collins was recognised for Best [...]

The Shelbourne joins exclusive travel network

Good news for The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin – the luxury hotel overlooking St. Stephen's Green has recently been granted membership to Virtuoso, an exclusive global luxury travel network. The Shelbourne is just the fourth hotel in Dublin and one of 16 in Ireland to feature in the prestigious network that specialises in luxury and experiential travel. Virtuoso's portfolio consists of around 1,700 'preferred partners' – tour [...]

Ashford Estate beats fundraising target

The team at Ashford Estate has announced that it has almost doubled its fundraising target for the children's cancer charity Hand in Hand. In 2017 the team set itself an ambitious target of raising €7,000 for the worthy cause, and over 12 months of fundraising they collected an impressive total of €11,998.44. A variety of events and challenges were taken on by the team to raise [...]

Powerscourt Hotel unveils significant investment

Powerscourt Hotel marked its 10 year anniversary by unveiling the results of an extensive refurbishment programme at a lavish party on February 1st, including the addition of an outdoor amphitheatre. The perfect spot for an outdoor wedding (weather-permitting), the €250,000 amphitheatre was one of the event's focal points and featuring some truly impressive views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Powerscourt Estate's stunning grounds. It's future-proofed [...]

B&B of the Year Award Goes to Kilkenny

Springview Farmhouse in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, is Ireland’s B&B of the Year. The announcement was made at the recent AGM of B&B Ireland in the Ashling Hotel in Dublin. Springview Farmhouse B&B is owned and run by the Joyce family. The finalists were: Catherine O’Sullivan, An Rosalithir, Rosscarbery, Co Cork; Mairéad Uí Shuibhne, Bun A Bhaile, Ballyvourney, Cork; Anne and Paul Harris, Dromagowlane House, Adrigole, Co [...]

Diamonds Are Forever at The Westbury

The Westbury and Boodles came together ahead of Valentine’s Day to create an exclusive overnight experience. The Boodles Luxury Diamond Experience at The Westbury is available from January 16th to March 31st, subject to availability, from s310, and includes overnight accommodation in a bedroom or suite, champagne in Boodles boutique with a diamond expert, two Boodles Pink Diamond Cocktails in The Sidecar, and a full Irish breakfast [...]