25.05.2015
The 3rd annual Irish Hotels Federation Mid-West Fundraising Gala Ball 2015 was hosted in Greenhills Hotel Limerick on Wednesday May 20th with over 490 guests in attendance including main sponsors Pallas Foods, Michael Sheehan Mayor of Limerick, Conn Murray Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Stephen McNally, President of the Irish Hotels Federation and Tim Fenn, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Pallas Foods, although now an international company, is local in its origin and offers huge opportunity to tourism partners to invest in local and international food produce. Pallas Foods are commendable for their continuous support of the tourism product in the region and namely this event, the Pallas Foods IHF Mid-West Tourism Ball 2015.
The purpose of this event is to raise vital funds for marketing the region and growing tourism and tourism jobs in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary. Some recent initiatives supported include Jump Into Clare, The International Rugby Sevens event in Limerick and the Tidy Towns Association.
Tourism in Ireland has seen huge growth over the last 12 months. 7.27 million overseas visitors visited Ireland in 2014, up by 8.8% from 2013. €6.45 billion in revenue was generated by Irish Tourism in 2014 which in turn created 33,000 jobs in hospitality. Accommodation providers saw an increase with 55 million bed nights spent in the country by visitors from overseas, an increase of 8% on the previous year.
The Wild Atlantic Way has been a fantastic initiative by Failte Ireland and will continue to be a huge selling point for tourism in the Mid-West region.
A special award was presented to Rose Hynes, Chairperson of Shannon Group, who has been instrumental in the monumental turn-around of the airport’s fortunes and creating a resurgence which is helping to reboot tourism across the region and the west of Ireland.
In 2013, the first full year since becoming an independent operation, the airport succeeded in turning the tide and reversing a five year decline in passenger numbers. This tremendous upward growth trajectory continued in 2014 when the airport welcomed over 1.64 million passengers, a 17% increase over the previous year, and succeeded in attracting a range of new air services for tourism and business travellers.
It was a fantastic night in the Greenhills Hotel with wonderful prizes and entertainment. DJ Will Leahy from 2FM MC’d the black tie event which included a drinks reception followed by a five course gala dinner and entertainment by the great Free Beer band. Attendees included hoteliers from across the region, partner organisations and tourism businesses.
The IHF Mid West Tourism Ball 2015 Committee Donnacha Hurley, Absolute Hotel, Simon Hodgson, Dromoland Castle, Sean Lally, The Strand Hotel, Daphne Greene, Greenhills Hotel, Elaina Fitzgerald, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, Lee Gregson, Castletroy Park Hotel, Ivan Tuohy, The Clarion Hotel, Sarah Greene, Greenhills Hotel and Dermot Kelly, The South Court Hotel make a presentation of the Services to Tourism Award to Rose Hynes, chairperson of Shannon Airport Authority.
Picture: Keith Wiseman
Elaina Fitzgerald, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa and Ivan Tuohy, The Clarion Hotel make a presentation of the Services to Tourism Award to Rose Hynes, chairperson of Shannon Airport Authority.
Picture: Keith Wiseman
Pictured are: Daphne Greene, Greenhills Hotel, Neil Pakey, Shannon Airport Authority, Celia Holman Lee and Con Murray, Limerick City and County Manager.
Picture: Keith Wiseman