Kells hotel manager takes top award

One of the most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry was recently awarded to Olivia Duff of Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, as took home the Hospitality Manager of the Year 2010- Hotel, at the Irish Hospitality Institute Founders' Banquet and Hospitality Awards 2010 in Dublin. The gala awards ceremony was held at the National Convention Centre, Dublin, and presided over by this years president of the Irish Hospitality Institute, Shane Cookman (general manager of Fitzpatrick's Hotel, New York). Olivia Duff, alongside her brother, Vincent, is responsible for a team of 120 employees at the Headfort Arms Hotel, a major local employer and landmark hotel in the north-east. Only a couple of months ago, she lead the team to win the Hotel & Caterer Gold Medal Award for Best 3* Hotel in Ireland for 2010. She is responsible for leading a management team to achieve goals of the business, rationalise effectively in these difficult times and remain loyal to the ethos of a personal family-managed Hotel. She is also involved in many local events, chairing tourism committees and being involved in an array of charity work, most notably the highly successful Pink Ribbon Walk in aid of breast cancer research held during the past two years in Kells. Attendees at the awards were addressed by Mr Cookman, his last official duty as president of the institute. He said: “At a time when so many of the images which confront us are negative, Convention Centre, Dublin, is a symbol of hope for the future. As we ascend through its many levels and look out on our capital city, we are presented with a vista of a new and vibrant Dublin which is now, and will continue to be, a centre of business and industry and a magnet for visitors from all over the world.†Guest of honour at the function was Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, TD. Mr Cookman added: “In describing hospitality and tourism organisations as 'businesses' and 'enterprises', I realise that these words fail to convey the essence of the organisations, which is their people. “We in the Irish Hospitality Institute are in the 'people business'. Our members are our lifeblood and our mission is to provide them with the services and support which will enable them to be world class hospitality professionals. Our portfolio of services is wide in its range and compass, spanning training and education programmes, communications and networking environments, member discounts and social gatherings and our unique Awards. “Just as our members are the Institute, so does the institute rely heavily on the support of members for our various services and activities, if we are to continue to grow and develop.†Ms Hanafin said the event honoured the managers in the hospitality sector who have made an outstanding contribution over the past year. “As nominees and recipients of these awards, you have been recognised as achieving a very high level of excellence in the hospitality sector. As a people, we are famous for our welcome. It is a trait often praised by our visitors and is one of the reasons why people choose Ireland as a holiday destination. It is something which we must preserve, and we must also support it by providing a good value, efficient and friendly service.â€