QUARTERLY Q1 2026
TEAM TALKS
Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality
CEO’S MESSAGE:
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to our latest addition of TeamTalks. In this quarters issue there are updates from our People & Culture team on what has been happening and what they are doing on all our behalf.
The first 3 months of 2026 were quite busy in the hotels, with our hotel occupancy averaging at around 77%. However, due to weaker consumer sentiment, room rates have dropped versus the previous year. Positively, our bars and restaurants performed quite well in the 3 months, which is traditionally the quietest part of the year.
The war in the Middle East has brought a lot of uncertainty, increasing our petrol and home energy costs, affecting trade for exporting businesses and impacting travel and tourism. We saw the fuel cost increases and fuel protests here in Ireland impacting our business, with high levels of cancellations in April. What we do know right now about 2026, is that there will be less American visitors visiting Ireland this year and this will be particularly felt by our hotels in Dublin, Killarney & Kilkenny. It is also uncertain as to the availability of jet fuel for the summer months and we have seen some airlines cancel flights already. We are hopeful that the domestic tourism market will remain strong this year. We are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting our marketing strategy to do all that we can to keep our hotels busy.
In February, we were delighted that The iNUA Hotel Collection was named by Great Places to Work as one of the best workplaces in Ireland. In March, to celebrate Internal Woman’s Day, Great Places to Work announced the 40 best
workplaces for women in Ireland and we were delighted to see The iNUA Hotel Collection appear on this list. It is great to see everyone’s work in ensuring we have an equal workplace being recognised by an organisation like Great Places to Work.
In March we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day and the tremendous contribution that our colleagues with Down Syndrome make every day in our hotels. Thank you to everyone for contributing to the fundraising around World Down Syndrome Day.
We also recently hosted the 2nd Annual Joe Shannon Chef Competition in Dublin. This competition celebrates the wonderful person that Joe was and the enormous contribution he made to The iNUA Hotel Collection and the culinary sector. Thank you to Radisson Blu Sligo and voco Belfast for entering teams, and thank you to Stefan Matz and Seamus Preston for organising the competition. We were delighted to have Joe’s wife Marie attend to present the prizes to the winners.
Finally, I want to congratulate the team at voco Belfast for winning the Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year award and the Excellence in Development of Management award at the recent Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.
Best Wishes,
Seán O’Driscoll CEO Hotel Operations at Cliste Hospitality & The iNUA
Hotel Collection
TEAM TALKS
Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality QUARTERLY Q1 2026
Quarterly Group Highlights
iNUA HOSPITALITY
Awards and Celebrations
Quality Employer Programme (QEP)
In January of this year our hotels were awarded for their excellence in employment quality by the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF). Two of our hotels received Best in Class Awards, Muckross Park Hotel received Best in Class Award expert category, and Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork received the Best in Class Award, certified category for their outstanding contribution to creating an empowering workplace.
This is a huge recognition of our dedication and commitment to creating practices surrounding people development, wellbeing, engagement, diversity & inclusion, and creating opportunities for flexibility and supporting our colleagues as they grow and develop. Huge congratulations to all our
Great Place to Work – Best Workplaces for Women in Ireland 2026
In February 2026, The iNUA Hotel Collection has been named one of Ireland’s 40 Best Workplaces for Women 2026 by Great Place To Work Ireland. Across our hotels, women play a vital role in leadership, operations, guest experience, sales, finance, and more. Their talent, ambition and leadership help shape the future of our business and the guest experiences we deliver every day. Being recognised among Ireland’s Best Workplaces for Women is a proud milestone for our entire team and a reflection of the environment we continue to build together.
awarded hotels & our incredible teams who drive these practices with passion and enthusiasm.
Read the article here - https://www.hotelnews. ie/articles/2026/radissonblucork/qep-winnerinterview
Great Place to Work –Best Workplaces in Ireland
2026 Award
The iNUA Hotel Collection were listed in the top 20 super large category across all industries in recognition from Great Place To Work Ireland. This award celebrates our initiatives of creating development & growth opportunities, supportive culture & collaboration our teams that are part of The iNUA Hotel Collection have built.
Quarterly Group Highlights
iNUA HOSPITALITY
PARTNERSHIPS
Down Syndrome World Awareness Day
On the 21st March, we celebrated Down Syndrome World Awareness Day across our hotel collection. This year’s theme was Together Against Loneliness, it reminds us how powerful connection and inclusion truly are. A small act of reaching out can make a big difference. We would like to thank all colleagues who took part in the Lots Of Socks fundraiser, and we are delighted to announce we have raised a combined total of €2,647.09. Across our hotels, we raised €26,079 in 2025 through the Clean the Planet, not my Room initiative, this is a 27% uptake.
The iNUA Hotel Collection were delighted to sponsor a table at the inaugural DSI Cork Field of Dreams Fundraiser and representing Radisson Cork and the Viaduct, we were delighted to welcome Paul Fitzgerald & Mum Mary and from Radisson Blu Cork, Fiona O’Brien & Mum, Angela.
The iNUA Hotel Collection Scholarship prize
We are proud to support the next generation of hospitality leaders through scholarships and meaningful partnerships. Our commitment is focused on helping future hotel graduates gain the skills, opportunities, and experience they need to thrive in a dynamic industry.
The iNUA Hotel Collection had the honour of presenting the iNUA Hotel Collection Scholarship prize to two outstanding graduates from Shannon College of Hotel Management and University of Galway. This recognition was awarded to the graduates who achieved the highest academic marks in the year by Nichola Deere, People & Culture Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick.
Pictured are awarded graduates Pierce Camplisson, Fanni Várbíró and Nichola Deere.
Quarterly Group Highlights
iNUA HOSPITALITY
COMPETITION
The Joe Shannon Culinary Competition 2026
Held in tribute to Joe, former Executive Chef at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo, this competition continues to shine a light on the next generation of chefs by encouraging sustainability, Irish produce, and the sharing of knowledge across kitchens nationwide.
Congratulations to Daniel McFarlane, Acting Head Chef from voco Belfast, Joey Platero, Head Chef and Asanka Sampath Kulawansa, Chef de Partie, of Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo, who were awarded the best team competing from The iNUA Hotel Collection. Thank you to all our colleagues who took part & supported.
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Development Programme (2026)
In January of this year we launched the Leadership Development Programme, welcoming sixteen colleagues with the opportunity to development & grow. The programme is focused on senior leaders developing for the next stages of their career progression. This eight month long comprehensive programme looks at a wide range of topics such as effective leadership, strategic thinking, talent development and innovation. CEO challenges enable participants to practice their knowledge through industry case scenarios, and 360 feedback reviews enables mentorships & support over the course of the programme.
Senior Management Development Programme (2026)
In March, we launched our Senior Management Development Programme 2026, a fully accredited diploma in partnership with the Institute of Leadership & Management and is tailored specifically for the iNUA Hotel Collection. The programme supports colleagues on their path to General Manager roles. This twelvemonth programme covers a board range of subjects such as human resource management, personal development, hotel finance and leadership styles. We wish the best of luck to our eight colleagues who begin their journey this month.
Quarterly Group Highlights
iNUA HOSPITALITY
COLLEAGUES AWARDS 2025
In December, our Cliste Hospitality colleagues came together to celebrate Christmas in style, beginning with a festive drinks reception held at the Cork Office. During the evening, we proudly announced the Cliste Colleague Award recipients for 2025. Congratulations to our colleagues on their well-earned achievements!
SERVICE TO THE HOTELS AWARDS (as voted by the Hotels)
Seamus Preston
TEAM PLAYER AWARD
Anita Coughlan
LEADER OF THE YEAR
Trevor McCarthy
COLLEAGUE OF THE YEAR
Brian Murphy
TEAM AWARDS
Revenue Team
Talent Acquisition Team
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Adrian Heaney for achieving ISO50001
Tjeerd De Vries for set up of Finance Shared Services Centre
Adrian Heaney Seamus Preston Anita Coughlan
Talent Acquisition Team
Brian Murphy
Tjeerd De Vries
Revenue Team Trevor McCarthy
A Message from the GM
“As we step in 2026, I want to thank every member of the team for your hard work, care and consistency. It’s your attention to detail and genuine hospitality that make Ariel House what it is. Let’s continue supporting one another and delivering the exceptional experience our guests know us for” - Keila De Souza
Eco Label AwardGreen Hospitality Programme
Welcome to the Ariel House team:
We are delighted to welcome Kamila Teixeira, who has recently joined our team as Accommodation Assistant. Kamila brings her positive energy and dedication to guest service, and we are excited to have her as part of the Ariel House family.
We are also pleased to welcome Abdishakur Fuaad who has joined our team as Accommodation Assistant. His efforts and hard work have already made a noticeable impact on operations, and we are excited to have him as part of the Ariel House family.
Employee of The Year Finalist
Emerson Oliviera was nominated for, and became the Finalist of Employee of the Year in the International Hotel Federation 2025 nominations. Emerson has been with us for 10 years now and he is reliable, great with guests and always there to support his colleagues. Emerson, we appreciate your hard work and efforts here at Ariel House.
We are delighted to share that Ariel House has earned the EcoLabel Award under Green Hospitality Programme – a major step forward in our sustainability journey. This recognition reflects our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, improving resource efficiency and delivering responsible, greener hospitality. Together, we are building a more sustainable future.
A Message from the GM
Firstly, I want to thank all colleagues for your dedication to delivering an exceptional experience for our guests in 2025.
This year, we will focus on further enhancing the guest experience by investing in staff development and training. I am confident that together, we will achieve our 2026 targets & goals and continue to set the standard for excellence.
Our collective success is a result of your outstanding teamwork, commitment and cooperation. Your ability to work effortlessly together and support each other is admirable. Thank you for being an exceptional team. I look forward to working closely with everyone in 2026!”
- Andrew Lambert
Welcome to the Team:
We are delighted to welcome the following colleagues to the team:
Accommodation Team – Cherry Joy Quilates Accounts Team – Indusha Paruchuri Front Office Team – Andrea Galan and Lucy Byrne
Food and Beverage Team – Andrea Ibba Kitchen Team – Bodahandi Indunil Sampath De Silva (Sammi) and Aydid Ahmed Farah
Recent promotions
Congratulations to Ger O Reilly who has been promoted to Food & Beverage Supervisor, we are delighted to reward his hard work, positive attitude and dedication and to support him in his new role.
Colleague & Manager of the Year 2025
Congratulations to Cara Barnaville, recognised as our Colleague of the Year 2025 for her overall excellence in the Food & Beverage department throughout the year as well as being a reliable and dedicated colleague who is supportive to others and a team player.
Aga Hyland has been chosen as our Manager of the Year 2025, her commitment to upholding the iNUA values of trust, courage, growth and passion sets a shining example for others to follow. She leads by example and brings positivity and passion to all that she does.
Congratulations to our recent Colleagues of the Month 2026
They consistently go above and beyond, and we would like to thank them for their tireless passion, commitment and hard work.
JANUARY 2026
Robbie Patterson, Kitchen Porter
FEBRUARY 2026
Ola Swist-Kucharczyk, Reception Supervisor
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Bosco Onyawang on the birth of his beautiful baby daughter, Kyra earlier in January this year.
Service Awards
We were delighted to celebrate 20-year service award for Anna Adamczyk our Accommodation Supervisor in December 2025
International Women’s Day
On Friday 6th March we hosted a coffee afternoon to celebrate International Women’s Day and raised funds for Women’s Aid.
Down Syndrome Ireland Celebrations
We had great fun earlier this month celebrating our annual LOTS OF SOCKS, the team embraced their colourful side and donned their most colourful socks to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland . As the group head into our 7th year as charity partners with DSI we look forward to more collaboration and contributions!
We would like to recognise the wonderful talents of Claire Murphy, our DSI Colleague who so kindly gifted the hotel one of her fantastic photographs, Claire is a keen amateur photographer, and we have proudly hung her wonderful art in the lobby of our hotel for all our guests and colleagues to admire. Thank you Claire!
A Message from the GM
“Following a very successful end to 2025, capped off with our great night of fun at our December team party, where we presented and some very special awards, I am really looking forward to a successful 2026 where we build on the work we did last year. We are a brilliant team and 2025 shows what can be achieved when we work together! I thank each and every one of you for your continued hard work and dedication!
- Chris Angus
Welcome to the Team
We are delighted to welcome Iosif Ciobanca to the team as our new Food & Beverage Operations Manager. With 15 years of hospitality experience across both international and Irish markets, Iosif brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and leadership to our F&B team. Welcome to the Hillgrove Team!
Celebrating our amazing Mums on Mother’s Day
On March 15th we acknowledged the incredible Mums on our team who balance work, family and everything in between with such dedication. Thank you for everything you do- you inspire us every day
Congratulations to Our Colleague of the Year and Manager of the Year 2025
We are delighted to recognise our Colleague of the Year, Valerie Ross, F&B Assistant in the Bistro and Liz Meegan Manager of the Year M&E Manager for their outstanding commitment and dedication. Their hard work, professionalism, and unwavering passion for exceptional service truly set them apart. They consistently go above and beyond for our guests, our team, and our hotel, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements. Other deserving recipients on the night were:
The Accommodation team - Department of the Year
Enda Mc Kenna – Accounts - Hidden Hero Award
Dylan Geraghty – Leisure - Above & Beyond Award
International Women’s Day at Hillgrove
We proudly recognised and extended our sincere appreciation to the remarkable women across our team. Your professionalism, dedication, and contribution play an essential role in the continued success of our hotel. Thank you for your leadership, commitment, and the positive impact you make each day.
Promotion
We are delighted to recognise Monta Reke on her recent promotion from Breakfast Supervisor to Restaurant Manager. Over the past 19 years, Monta has shown exceptional dedication, professionalism, and loyalty, contributing to the success of the hotel across a number of departments throughout her career. Her commitment to our guests, her team, and the hotel has been truly outstanding. This promotion is incredibly welldeserved, and we are proud to see her continue to grow and lead within the business. Congratulations, Monta — and thank you for your remarkable service.
Celebrating 170 Years of Service!
Last December, we proudly recognised 13 incredible colleagues who together celebrate an outstanding 170 years of dedicated service. Their loyalty, hard work, and commitment have played a huge role in shaping the warm, welcoming, and exceptional experience we offer our guests every day. We are truly grateful for their contributions and the passion they bring to our team. Thank you all for your remarkable service and for being such an important part of the Hillgrove family. Here’s to many more years of success together!
Colleague of the Month January 2026
We are delighted to recognise Indre Nazarova for her outstanding contribution and commitment to the hotel. Indre has been with the hotel for two years and demonstrates exceptional dedication, leadership, and professionalism. We also congratulate Indre’s recent promotion to F&B Team Leader within our M&E Department, a well deserved achievement. We are proud to have her as part of the Hillgrove team. Well done Indre!
Coffee Morning & Bake sale for DSI
We are delighted to share the success of our recent Coffee Morning & Bake Sale in support of DSI. Thanks to the incredible team who baked, helped on the day, and generously donated, we raised an amazing €1,072.30 for this great cause. Your support, teamwork, and kindness continue to make all the difference.
Colleague Sponsorship
We are delighted to support both Clare and Michael as they compete in the upcoming National Community games. It’s an honour to sponsor two of our incredible DSI Colleagues, and we wish them every success in the competition. Best of luck to you both we’re cheering you on!
Celebrating Growth from Within: Recognising Our Recent Promotions
Congratulations to all our recently promoted team members—read about them below!
Saasil Leny Morales has been promoted to Front Office Manager. Since joining in 2021, Saasil has become essential to daily operations and guest experience. With a vision for excellence, Saasil’s leadership ensures our front office remains the benchmark for outstanding service, making every guest’s first and last impression memorable.
We are thrilled to announce that Dan McCormack has been promoted to Bar and Events Manager. Since joining in 2025, Dan has made a remarkable impact, drawing on his five-star food and events experience to enhance our bar and events offerings. His creativity, precision, and commitment to high-end service have elevated both guest experiences and event operations. Dan’s innovative approach and attention to detail ensure every interaction is personalised and polished. We look forward to his continued contribution to our reputation for excellence.
Another well-deserved promotion goes to Guillermo Acosta, who steps into the role of Assistant Bar Manager. Guillermo has been a valued member of the bar team, known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to delivering outstanding service. Guillermo’s journey is a great example of how dedication and consistency can open doors. Day in and day out, he has demonstrated reliability, teamwork, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Whether supporting colleagues during busy service periods or ensuring that guests feel welcome and looked after, Guillermo has played an important role in the success of the bar.
We proudly announce the promotion of Ilie Bosnea to Assistant Restaurant Manager. Ilie has consistently demonstrated dedication to five-star dining excellence and strong teamwork. His promotion highlights both his operational skills and leadership potential. In his new role, Ilie will help oversee daily operations, support the team, and foster an inviting dining experience. We are confident Ilie will continue to make a positive impact on the restaurant’s success.
Congratulations to Saasil, Dan, Ilie, and Guillermo on their new roles. Your unique strengths and dedication inspire us all. We look forward to the positive impact you will make and are proud to support you as you embrace these exciting new challenges. Here’s to continued growth and success!
A Warm Welcome!
We are delighted to welcome the students from Christian Antou Hotel and Catering School in Réunion Island, who have joined us for their 4-week work placement. We look forward to supporting them as they gain valuable hands-on experience and wish them a rewarding and enjoyable stay with us.
Achievements
In first half of 2026, we proudly celebrated a series of outstanding achievements that reflect the strength and dedication of our team at Muckross Park Hotel & Spa. We were honoured with Gold in the IASI Awards (Five-Star category), achieved QEP Expert Level along with Best in Class recognition, and were recognised as a Fáilte Ireland Outstanding Employer. In addition, we earned certification as a Great Place to Work for Women, highlighting our commitment to an inclusive and supportive workplace. These accomplishments are a testament to the passion, professionalism, and teamwork demonstrated across the hotel. A truly fantastic achievement made possible by our incredible team.
Congratulations!
On behalf of the entire team, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to our Managing Director, Garrett Power, on his recent election as Chair of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation. This is a significant achievement and a testament to Garrett’s outstanding leadership and commitment to the hospitality industry across the region.
A proud Kerry native, Garrett brings more than twenty years of senior leadership experience to the role. Over the course of his career, he has held a number of prominent positions, including General Manager of Cliff at Lyons, Hotel Manager at The InterContinental Dublin, General Manager at The Culloden Estate & Spa in Belfast, and several leadership roles at The Merrion Hotel. His depth of experience and proven track record make him exceptionally well-suited to represent and support hotels and guesthouses throughout the county. In addition to this new appointment, Garrett continues to contribute significantly to the wider tourism sector, serving as Chair of the Fáilte Ireland Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Killarney and as a Director of TouristSOS. Garrett’s appointment is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for our entire organisation. We do not doubt that his passion, insight, and dedication will bring great value to the Kerry Branch of the IHF and the wider hospitality community. We look forward to supporting him in this role and to seeing the positive impact of his leadership in the months and years ahead.
Hello from Radisson Blu Athlone
We have had an exciting start to 2026 here in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. The hotel has had a busy 1st quarter in 2026, and we wish to extend a sincere thank you to all our colleagues across the property for their hard work and dedication, and we extend our best wishes for the year ahead as we prepare for the easter break and summer to follow.
Despite all the rain, we have had occasions to celebrate & below are highlights of all our Team members achievements in recent months!
These awards & recognitions are truly well deserved, and the entire hotel is so proud of you all!!
Engagement Events & Activities
We kicked off our 1st round of Departmental Dinners for 2026 in February where we hosted our Accommodation, Leisure Centre, Sales & Accounts Dinners, with Food & Beverage and Front Office to follow in April.
Congratulations to Oleksandr Rahuzin on receiving his Team Choice Award, pictured with Daniel McCabe, Leisure Centre Manager.
International Women’s Day
Colleague of the year 2025
The hotel was delighted to announce in early March that Claire Flaherty, Wedding Coordinator, is our Colleague of the Year 2025!
Claire is truly a worthy winner, always willing to support both her own department & departments across the hotel, Claire’s positive, ’Yes I Can’ approach to her work is testament to her winning this award.
In addition to this, Claire was awarded Best Social Media Video for promoting voting Award at the recent Wedding Online Awards.
Pictured is Fergus O’Donovan, General Manager with Claire, receiving her Colleague of the Month award for March 2025, & also Claire receiving her best Online Video Award at the recent Weddings Online awards.
March was a super month for Team engagement across the hotel where we celebrated both International Women’s Day with Afternoon Tea in the Pergola & Lots of Socks Fundraiser in partnership with Down Syndrome Ireland. Our restaurant supervisor Avril Kiernan had great fun hanging them all out.
Promotions
Congratulations to our recent promoted team members.
Ben O’Sullivan to F&B Team Leader and Denis Mos to F&B Supervisor. Best of luck in your new roles, we look forward to supporting you as you progress your careers with us.
Achievements and Awards
Congratulations to our recent Employees of the Month!
January 2026:
Renan Candido Souza De Lemos, Accommodation. Renan is a great team player - not only to his own department but he is always willing to help other departments and our guests. He is always positive and has a “Yes, I can attitude”
February 2026:
Luna Lin, Front Office. Luna is great with our guests and always has a welcoming smile and is also a great team player.
In Q4 our EOTM winners were Camila in Accommodation (October), Martyna in Reservations (November) and Shannon in Leisure Club (December).
Our Employee of the Year 2025 went to Shannon Wynne, Leisure Club. Shannon is a well-deserved winner – providing great leadership and positivity in the Leisure Club, with a great work ethic
In November at the iNUA Management Awards we were delighted that our Sales Director, Roisin Flynn won Sales Director of the Year, congrats again Roisín!
In other news
In January we held our Christmas Party in 77 bar in Cork, with our teams gfathering for a great night out, celebrating and thanking our teams for their hard work throughout 2025.
In March we were delighted to welcome a visit from Co-operation Ireland - hosting students from Nagle Community College and Belfast High School for a chat around career pathways in hospitality and the careers and training we offer at the Radisson Blu, Cork and the wider iNUA Hotel Collection.
Down Syndrome Ireland
In January we welcomed 10 Down Syndrome Ireland students from the Field of Dreams, who came to the hotel for the day to experience working across different departments of the hotel. They experienced our Accommodation department, the Brasserie and the Coffee Dock and our team members from those departments made a huge effort to welcome them and ensure they had a great day.
In March we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day Lots of Socks initiative by wearing odd and bright socks and by highlighting awareness of Down Syndrome and how we can be inclusive and supportive.
Congratulations to Pierce Camplisson and Fanni Várbíró, who were honoured as this year’s recipients of the iNUA Hotel Collection Scholarship prize, awarded by The iNUA Hotel Collection to two outstanding graduates from Shannon College of Hotel Management and University of Galway. This recognition was awarded to the graduates who achieved the highest academic marks in the year. Pierce, a Bachelor of Business Studies graduate, and Fanni, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate, were presented with the scholarship prize by Nichola Deere, P&C Manager during their recent graduation ceremony.
We were delighted to attend the Quality Employer 2026 Awards and are incredibly proud that Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick has been certified as a Quality Employer Expert Level by Irish Hotels Federation
Congratulations
Congratulations to Svitlana Pshenychna and Presley Sheehan who were both appointed as F&B Team leaders in Limerick in March.
Great Limerick Clean Up
We held our well-deserved Christmas Party on Feb 15th, where Mark Cummins, Leisure Centre Supervisor, was announced as our Colleague of the Year 2025.
Our team took part in the Great Limerick Clean Up on Good Friday 3rd April, and made a huge positive contribution to the local community. It’s great to see the team getting involved and supporting initiatives like this and we really appreciated their efforts
We donated €300 to the Lots of Socks campaign in conjunction with DSI through our Rock your Radisson Limerick Socks ‘Best – Worst’ pair competition
Sustainability Leadership Award 2025
Congratulations to our GM Brian Harrington on demonstrating leadership and achievement when Environmental Sustainability is such a challenge for all of us. Brian led his team through the Green Hospitality Program and achieved GOLD accreditation. Being the first hotel in our group Brian has demonstrated huge commitment to Sustainability, Carbon reduction and Energy saving throughout the year to close off the year with this award is a fantastic achievement. We were thrilled to see Gabriella Scerri bring home the Food & Beverage Manager of the Year at the iNUA Group Awards. Congratulations, Gabriella, on this well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations to the entire team in Limerick on winning the Bronze Hotel of the Year Award 2025! Another exceptional year for Team Limerick. Your consistency, passion, and commitment to supporting each other and delivering outstanding guest experiences are your key to success
HOTEL & SPA, LIMERICK
A Message from the GM
As we reflect on Q1 2026, I am delighted to share that we have had a very strong start to the year. The hotel has performed exceptionally well, with strong occupancy levels and encouraging overall business performance. This success is a testament to the continued dedication and professionalism shown by each and every one of you.
A particular highlight this quarter was the launch of our new ballroom at the end of January, following a €350,000 investment. I am thrilled with the final product, and early feedback has been extremely positive. This space represents an exciting new chapter for our weddings, meetings and events offering.
We hosted our first Town Hall of the year, where we came together and celebrated our achievements across the team. A special congratulations once again to our Employee of the Year for 2025, Chef Piotr Fafara, a welldeserved recognition.
Looking ahead, we have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline. Our Padel 100 courts are set to launch in mid-May, and our Bridal Suite will undergo a full refurbishment, further enhancing our guest experience. We are also making exciting advancements in AI, with the hotel leading the way through our Canary project.
At the heart of everything we do are our people. As we continue to build on our Great Place to Work and Quality Employer programmes, I would like to acknowledge and wish the very best to Adrian Drozd, Grace Marie Finan, and Jamie Hayward as they progress through their development programmes this year.
Welcome to the team:
I am also delighted to welcome key additions to our leadership and management team: Simon Petka as Director of Sales and Andrew McEvoy as Meetings and Events Manager. In addition, congratulations to Amy Devaney on her promotion to Spa and Leisure Manager, Leah Wasson on her promotion to Meetings and Events Executive, and Shane Collins O’Donovan on his promotion to Assistant Leisure Centre Manager.
It has been another successful start to the year with the hotel nominated for multiple awards. Thank you to Denise Meenaghan, Ula Dubek, and Aisling Meldrum for proudly representing the hotel.
Looking forward, I am very positive about the year ahead. We have a strong forward book of business and clear priorities: delivering exceptional guest experiences through authentic hospitality, empowering our team with the knowledge and skills to excel, driving top-line revenue growth, and continuing to manage our costs and expenses effectively.
We also remain committed to supporting our local region and promoting Sligo as a key destination through our involvement with the DEDP, BID, local IHF branch, and Chamber.
Thank you all for your continued hard work, commitment, and passion. Together, I am confident we will make 2026 another outstanding year.
Daniel Cross General Manager
Spring has Sprung and as a time for new beginnings we are delighted to introduce some new colleagues to The Radisson Blu Sligo line up!
Simon Petka has joined us in the role of Director of Sales, leading the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy with a strong focus on revenue growth, market positioning and high-value client relationships in the luxury and upscale segment. With over 18 years’ experience in four- and five-star hospitality, he partners with teams to translate data, market trends and customer insight into targeted sales initiatives and campaigns that deliver measurable topline and total revenue results across the hotel and the wider iNUA Collection. Originally from Poland and now proudly based in the North West, Simon has a particular passion for Italy, travel, photography and good coffee, bringing that international curiosity and energy into how he builds relationships with colleagues, clients and industry partners.
Welcome also to our new team members Rachel McGarry – Sales Executive; Andrew McEvoy – Conference & Banqueting Manager; and Marta Garcia – Restaurant Supervisor
Colleague of the Year /Chef of the Year:
A double award for Piotr – Having not only been voted Chef of the Year by the kitchen Brigade but also Colleague of the Year for the whole hotel – Well done and well deserved Piotr!
A night at the Darts
We were delighted to host some of darts Top players back in February, including World Champion Luke Humphries and Nathan “The Asp” Aspinall.
The Arrows were sharp and the game was strong, as was the service and delivery of all our Team who helped make this night a success!
A fresh New Ballroom
The newly refurbished ballroom blends fresh, modern elegance with warm golden tones, creating a timeless and luxurious atmosphere that immediately captivates guests. Soft lighting enhances the sense of romance and sophistication that couples seek for their special day. This revitalized space not only elevates the overall experience but has also significantly increased wedding bookings, as its inviting ambiance and refined aesthetic resonate strongly with today’s couples looking for a memorable and visually stunning celebration setting.
Message from our GM
Looking back on 2025, it was a fantastic year for The Springfield Hotel. We wrapped it up with a wonderful end of year party, celebrating the many people in our property who make it the success it is. A perfect way to come together and celebrate.
Thank you all for your continued support throughout the year. I’m really looking forward to what 2026 has in store and to working alongside you all in the year ahead”
Sean O’Keeffe, General Manager
Newcomers
We are delighted to introduce the new role of Assistant Front Office Manager (Nights) at the hotel, and to warmly welcome Paul to our team. Paul joins us in this position with a wealth of experience, most recently having worked as Senior Receptionist and Night Supervisor at the Iveagh Hotel for the past eight years.
Sharon joined us in early January as our Hotel Controller. Although new to the hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her previous roles and studies, and we are thrilled to have her on board.
Colleague Recognition
Congratulations to Rommel, Night Porter; Lucy, College Placement; and Janine, Food & Beverage Assistant, who have been recognised as our Colleagues of the Month for January, February, and March respectively. Each of these colleagues was nominated and selected by their managers and peers for showing excellence in their roles and attitudes to work.
Rommel has worked nights in Springfield for 14 years and has consistently proven himself to be hardworking, loyal, and trustworthy. Rommel has been a consistent and reliable colleague over the years and we are lucky to have him on our team.
Although she has only been with us a short time, Lucy has already proven to be a huge asset to the team, earning recognition from her colleagues for her hard work, dedication, and versatility. This is possibly the quickest that any colleague has won colleague of the month and it is very well deserved.
Janine has worked in the bar for almost five years and has recently taken on additional hours, continuing to demonstrate what a great colleague she is and always being a pleasure to work with. Janine is a pleasure to work with, always helping others with a lovely smile for everyone.
We are delighted to welcome Lucy to the team for her sixmonth college placement. Currently a second-year student pursuing a BA in Hospitality Management with TUD, Lucy will gain experience across various departments in the hotel during her placement, working closely with the management team. We hope she thoroughly enjoys her time with us and develops valuable skills to support her studies and future career.
Congratulations to our 2025 Manager of the Year, our Deputy Manager, Neil!
In less than a year at the hotel, Neil earned the vote of his colleagues, an outstanding and well deserved achievement. Since joining, he has supported our General Manager immensely, helping to take the hotel from strength to strength.
We look forward to seeing his continued progression in the year ahead.
Charity Partners
We are thrilled to support our group charity partners, Down Syndrome Ireland, and to have taken part in their recent campaigns for Christmas Jumper Day and Lots of Socks for World DS Day. These are days to celebrate inclusion, kindness, and the strength that comes from embracing diversity. We are incredibly fortunate in Springfield to work alongside two wonderful colleagues, Niamh and Natalie, who joined us through Down Syndrome Ireland employment programme. They bring so much value, positivity, and perspective to our team.
Celebrations
We had a wonderful time celebrating International Women’s Day with some of the amazing women on the team at the Springfield Hotel. Our General Manager, Sean, kindly surprised us all with beautiful bunches of tulips to honour the incredible women he works alongside.
We are truly grateful to work with such inspiring female colleagues.
We are incredibly proud of our review ratings across all platforms and of all the teams and colleagues across the hotel who have helped us achieve this success.
Two colleagues, in particular, Teresa Mahon and Nader received numerous 5-star reviews with their names specifically mentioned. To recognise their outstanding customer service and contribution to the hotel, we honoured them at our town hall with a gift voucher each. Well done Teresa and Nader, keep up the excellent work!
Employee of the Year & Manager of the Year
A special congratulations goes to Barry Dolan, who was named Employee of the Year, and Jegan Baladhandapani, who was recognised as Manager of the Year, both truly deserving winners whose dedication and leadership set a fantastic example for us all.
Return of Rute Lemes our Wedding Coordinator
We were delighted to welcome Rute Lemes back from maternity leave as she resumes her role as Wedding Coordinator. Rute has settled back in wonderfully and, of course, is now also a proud mum to her gorgeous daughter, Hailey. We’re thrilled to have her back with us and wish her every happiness in this exciting new chapter.
Room 117 – the upgrade
Room 117 has had a lovely refresh and is looking better than ever! With a brighter feel, updated furnishings, and a few thoughtful touches, it’s now an even more comfortable and welcoming space for our guests. We’re really pleased with how it turned out and hope our guests love it just as much as we do!
U20 French Rugby Development Squad
You could say the Tullamore Court Hotel was ready to pack down for a scrum as we welcomed the French Rugby U20 development squad when they played the Irish Rugby U19’s men’s team in their Easter series finale in Mullingar. It was a pleasure hosting these young men – we are certain that some of them will soon be pushing their way onto the International stage.
Quirky fact about Offaly
Did you know…..Offaly has two Pyramids? Offaly’s first Pyramid is located in Kinnitty at the rear of St Finans Graveyard. The Kinnity Mausoleum serves as the final resting place of six members of the Bernard family.
The second was built in 2022 can be found in Lough Boora, built from stones left behind when glaciers moved across Offaly.
Message from our GM
As we look ahead to 2026, our focus is clear: consistency, standards, and continuing to raise the bar in everything we do.
The past year has shown what we are capable of when we work together with purpose and accountability. We’ve built real momentum, but success in this business is never static. The challenge now is to sustain that performance every day, in every department, and for every guest.
In 2026, we sharpen our focus on the fundamentals that drive our success: delivering exceptional guest experiences, operating with discipline, and supporting each other to be at our best. Small improvements, executed consistently, will make the biggest difference.
Most importantly, our people remain at the heart of everything. Creating an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered will continue to be a priority.
We have a strong platform to build from. Now it’s about pushing further, staying focused, and making 2026 our most consistent and successful year yet” Ruairi McLaughlin
Promotions
Many congratulations to Amanda, recently promoted to Assistant Front Office Manager, Marc promoted to Front Office Supervisor & Cian who has been recently promoted to F&B Supervisor. Marc also complete his Level 2 NVQ in hospitality so a double celebration for him. Well done all around!
Belfast
SME Productivity Booster project
A special mention to Sophie, Kerrie, Danny & Patrick who led a project with Belfast Met funded by the Department for the economy. They spent approximately 30 hours over February & March with mentoring support to focus on productivity & consistency of our Meeting & Events offering. Through the project, the team designed structured SOPs and gained clearer insight into stronger communication between the kitchen and front of house with improved supervisor confidence. The program also focused on waste reduction, cost control and lean process improvement. Overall, the programme has been incredibly beneficial, and we will continue to review its impact. Thank you again to the project team, I hope you enjoyed leading this brilliant initiative.
International Women’s Day
In March our thank you treat supported us in celebrating and recognising our female colleagues in respect of IWD with the theme Give to Gain. We proudly achieved Best Workplaces for Women 2026 with Great Place to Work, Ireland & are incredibly proud to champion the amazing women at voco Belfast with 67% of our senior leadership roles held by women, representing 60% of our overall workforce.
Awards and Celebrations
We had a fantastic time at the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation event, with our Accommodation Team of the Year being finalists. We were thrilled to come away with our own Zach Millian winning Employee of the Year- NIHF.
That was alongside us winning Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year – Belfast Telegraph and Excellence in the Development of Management and Leadership - Belfast Telegraph.
Community Partnerships
JAM card Friendly Business
In celebration of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 16th-20th) we are delighted to announce that we are officially a JAM Card friendly business. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for our colleagues and guests with invisible disabilities and JAM Card for Business supports our team in being confident in every interaction by helping people feel understood and supported & it supports our social impact. A big thank you to our colleagues for attaining this accreditation.
Cooperation Ireland Visit - March
We were delighted to facilitate a visit from our Charity partner Co-operation Ireland in March as we hosted students from Saintfield High School & Ballinteer Community High school to discuss what we do and offer at voco® Belfast & within the wider The iNUA Hotel Collection. We finished the day with a brilliant pizza making workshop - thanks to Ruairi, Patrick, Danny & the F&B team, it was definitely the highlight of the visit.
Belfast
Health & Wellbeing and the Environment
We’ve rebranded as Health & Wellbeing in action programme: Small steps to support better wellbeing
Our next themed event is in relation to Earth Day on 22nd April with the theme Our Power, Our Planet- driving environmental progress through everyday actions. Zara & Damian will be hosting a talk & tour, find out all about sustainability at voco Belfast and how you can support our sustainability practices this will also include a litter pick of the Gasworks area. Please RSVP with Zara once further details are communicated.
Belfast
CO-OPERATION IRELAND & VOCO BELFAST
- A YEAR IN REVIEW
A massive thank you to everyone who provided their time and expertise to our Co-operation Ireland partnership this year in voco Belfast, we look forward to building on a successful 2025.
Who is Co-operation Ireland?
Co-operation Ireland is an all-island peacebuilding charity focused on promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Established in 1979, the organisation supports community development through a range of initiatives that promote shared education, leadership, and economic growth, contributing to the ongoing peace process and the strengthening of the Good Friday Agreement. Its vision is for a peaceful and stable island where people of all backgrounds live and work together for a better future.
Hayley Norton,People & Culture Manager voco Belfast
Future Leaders
We officially launched our partnership at voco Belfast in February this year, welcoming the Co-operation Ireland team and students from the Future Leaders programme to celebrate the beginning of our collaboration.
Also in February, we hosted a two-day World of Work residential at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone. During the event, we welcomed 32 students for an immersive experience focused on key leadership and hospitality themes. The programme explored topics such as sustainability, career pathways, leadership development and the role of social media.
“I am delighted to have coordinated this new partnership on behalf of Cliste Hospitality and The iNUA Hotel Collection with Co-operation Ireland. Hospitality offers a diverse range of skills and experiences, and showcasing these opportunities to young adults is hugely important to us. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in facilitation of the two-day World of Work residential - it was inspiring to help equip the next generation with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.”
Mentorship
CO-OPERATION IRELAND MENTORSHIP
We were proud to have had 12 mentors supporting young people through the mentorship programme this year. The mentoring involved a series of online meetings, during which mentors helped mentees identify the skills they wanted to develop and the new experiences they hoped to pursue.
Let’s hear from Catherine McKnight –People & Culture Manager, Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel
What inspired you to become a mentor in this programme?
I wanted to have a positive impact on young people by empowering them with skills and confidence to become future leaders and to realise their potential. As a mother of three young adults, it is so rewarding to see our youth growing in confidence and enhancing their skills, it gives me a sense of achievement and purpose to be able to give back, to make that connection whereby something I’ve said resonates with them or just makes them look at something in a different way.
How has mentoring influenced your approach to communication, coaching, or team development?
I think I have become better as asking more open-ended questions, letting people come up with their own solutions. Helping others to succeed reinforces my own value and has given me a confidence boost.
How do you think programmes like this benefit both mentors and mentees — and the wider organisation or industry?
Every day is a learning day and no matter how long or new we are to an organisation or industry there are always lessons to be learned and advice to be had or offered. We are constantly evolving and facing new challenges so to be either a mentee, or a mentor can benefit greatly with enhanced communication, increased self-awareness, confidence boosts, gaining new perspectives and increased personal satisfaction. We look forward to growing this partnership with Cooperation Ireland more in the future.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
FREE CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING & ADVISORY SERVICE
Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a confidential programme at no additional cost that provides you and your family members with immediate help and support in managing whatever issues you are facing.
We offer unlimited access for you and your family, to a telephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
QUARTERLY Q1 2026
Thank you for reading. Q2 EDITION OUT JULY 2026