Managing director of Mullingar Park Hotel appointed IHF president
Managing director of Mullingar Park Hotel Matt O’Connor has been appointed as president of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Mr O’Connor was appointed to the role at a gala dinner in Killarney on February 24 during the IHF annual conference.
Matt was appointed vice-president in 2024 and he has now made the natural ascension to the role of president.
He has chaired several of the IHF midlands branches and has been a member of the IHF National Council and management committee.
Minister Peter Burke was in attendance for the first day of the conference.
Congratulating Matt on the appointment, he said: “Matt O’Connor, alongside Josephine Hughes and the entire management team at Mullingar Park Hotel, represents the very best of Irish hospitality.
“Their commitment to excellence, customer service and community engagement has made Mullingar Park Hotel a flagship business in the midlands and a valued employer locally.
“It is a source of great pride for Mullingar and for the wider region to see a local hotelier elected to such a significant national leadership role.
“I have no doubt that Matt will bring energy, experience and strong leadership to the Irish Hotels Federation at an important time for the sector.
“I wish him every success as he takes up the presidency and continues to champion Ireland’s hospitality industry.”
In a statement, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) announced Mr O’Connor as its 41st president.
A native of Wexford, Mr O’Connor is the MD of the Mullingar Park Hotel, having been with the hotel since it first opened its doors 23 years ago. An active member of the IHF since 2008, he has served as chair of the Midlands Branch and as national vice-president. His extensive contribution to the IHF includes long-standing membership of the national council and management committee.
Mr O’Connor stated that his presidency comes at a pivotal moment for Irish tourism as the sector navigates mounting operating costs while preparing for new growth opportunities.
“It is an immense honour to lead the IHF as we work to ensure the right conditions are in place for the long-term development of the tourism industry. Our hotels and guesthouses are the heartbeat of Irish tourism and a primary driver of regional growth. This success is the result of thousands of talented, hard-working people who provide a world-class welcome every day.
“As we look ahead through 2026, we see clear reasons for optimism, including the restoration of the 9% VAT rate on food services this July, the ambitious national tourism policy, and the commitment to addressing the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
“Those are the foundations for our future growth as part of Irish tourism and hospitality, our largest indigenous industry, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods.
“To realise the potential, we must be proactive as an industry. My presidency will be defined by four core pillars: ensuring strong representation for every member from rural guesthouses to urban hubs; advocating for effective policy that maintains our global competitiveness; accelerating our sustainability transition; and nurturing the talent that is the foundation of our success.
“We are more than just providers of accommodation; we are woven into the economic and social fabric of our communities. From Mullingar to every corner of the island, hotels support local livelihoods and regional development.
"I look forward to working on behalf of our members with government and industry partners to ensure our full potential is realised so that Irish tourism remains a vibrant, world-class profession for generations to come.”