Ratoath native elected President of Restaurants Association

Eimear Killian has been elected President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which represents 2,500 members in the restaurants, cafés, gastropubs and other food-led businesses in Ireland.

Eimear, a daughter of Cllr Nick Killian and Anne Killian, began her career in hospitality in Ryan’s Pub in Ratoath as a teenager.

She went to school in Ratoath NS and Dunshaughlin Community College before studying hotel management in Cathal Brugha Street.

She now owns and operates Builín Blasta Café and Retail in Spiddal, Connemara, where she has established herself as a prominent figure in the local hospitality and food sector.

“It is a great honour to become President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. Having worked in hospitality throughout my career and now running my own business in Spiddal, I understand first-hand the challenges facing our members," she said.

"Supporting businesses through the ongoing cost of doing business crisis will be a key priority during my presidency. I also want to strengthen connections across our industry, champion rural hospitality and ensure that our members’ voices remain at the heart of the Association’s work.

"These are challenging times, but I am looking forward to the role."

When Eimear finished college, she worked in various hotels including The Ferrycarrig in Wexford, Bellbridge House Hotel in Clare, the Peacockes Hotel and Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Galway and eventually the Brasserie on the Corner in Galway City.

Eimear, who is married to Steve Martin, lives in Galway.

"In 2021 I went into business with Heather Connolly in the Builín Blasta Café in Spiddal and just this summer I bought her out."

As well as the restaurant, Builín Blasta has a retail outlet where she sells the artisan mayonnaises, chutneys and condiments, they make themselves.

Eimear succeeds outgoing President Seán Collender, who was recognised at the recent President Dinner for his contribution to the Restaurants Association of Ireland, particularly his work on the campaign to restore the nine per cent VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses and the promotion of culinary tourism.

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: “Eimear brings valuable experience as a hospitality business owner and a strong understanding of the challenges facing our members. I look forward to working with her over the coming term to support our sector and advance the priorities of the Association.”

During the President’s Dinner, the 2026 Mike Butt Award was presented to Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke in recognition of his support for the hospitality and tourism sector. The award honours the legacy of Mike Butt, who opened Ireland’s first Indian restaurant, the Golden Orient, in 1956 and became the founding President of the Irish Restaurant Owners Association, now the Restaurants Association of Ireland.