Tourism Ireland selects new CEO Designate

Google MD Alice Mansergh chosen following ‘rigorous recruitment campaign’

BY FIONA AUDLEY

THE board of Tourism Ireland has confirmed the selection of Alice Mansergh as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Designate.

Ms Mansergh is currently Managing Director at Google Customer Solutions, UK & Ireland, and corporate reputation lead for Google’s EMEA HQ, based in Dublin.

She has almost 20 years strategic leadership experience, specialising in leading international marketing teams, consumer brand engagement strategies and corporate responsibility.

“A skilled communicator and partner to public and private enterprises, Alice has wide experience working with travel industry partners and has served on the board of Fáilte Ireland for the past five years,” Tourism Ireland states.

The appointment is subject to formal ratification by the North South Ministerial Council, following which, Ms Mansergh is expected to take up the position on September 18.

Accepting the role, Ms Mansergh, who is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and of the Irish Management Institute in leadership development, said: “It is an honour for me to be taking up this position.

“I am passionate about tourism and for the past five years have been a board member of Fáilte Ireland, supporting tourism product development and industry investment.”

She added: “I look forward to meeting and working with the

Unique rum is distilled in Panama before maturing in Ireland

talented team at Tourism Ireland.

“I am excited for what the future holds and where we can take the organisation on behalf of the island of Ireland’s tourism industry.”

She will now fill the shoes of former Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons, who stepped down as Tourism Ireland’s CEO in April, and Siobhán McManamy, who is the organisation’s current interim CEO.

Christopher Brooke, Chairman of Tourism Ireland, said of the appointment: “Following a rigorous and competitive international recruitment campaign, we are pleased to select Alice Mansergh as the new Chief Executive Designate of Tourism Ireland.

“Alice is a highly experienced, strategic leader with extensive international marketing experience and a strong understanding of digital trends.

“She will provide strategic leadership to the team at Tourism Ireland at an important time for our industry, which continues on the road to recovery,” he added.

“She will work with, and support, our tourism industry partners, at home and overseas, as we rebuild overseas tourism to the island of Ireland.”

In her new role, Ms Mansergh will work closely with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in Ireland, the North South Ministerial Council, as well as with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

A PREMIUM Irish rum brand which is a leader in the market prides itself on its unique distilling and aging process.

Two Shores Rum offers a range of golden rums that are distilled in the heart of Central America before being aged in a range of hand-selected aged Irish whiskey casks on the west coast of Ireland.

“The humid on-the-equator ageing, combined with the secondary Irish whiskey finishes, creates a range of rums that are unlike any other on the market,” the brand explains.

“The result is a smooth and complex liquid that is perfect for sipping neat.”

Currently the Two Shores range includes finishes in 19 Year Old Single malt Irish whiskey, Oloroso sherry and Amarone wine casks.

With Father’s Day on the horizon, the brand is recommending its Two Shores 19 Old Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey Cask Finish as the perfect tipple to gift to rum-loving dads.

“This rum is crafted utilising only the most exceptional ingredients and aged for eight years in the verdant landscapes of Panama before reaching the West Coast of Ireland,” they explain.

“It is then matured for a minimum of six months in casks that previous aged Irish single malt whiskey for an impressive 19 years.”

Regarding its unique taste, they add: “On the nose you can expect a symphony of tropical aromas, with hints of banana, caramelised pineapple, and candied orange peel.

“These rich tropical flavours follow through on the palate, accentuated by nuances of sweet butterscotch and warming oak and spice notes, with a delightfully long finish.” n For further information visit: wwwtwoshoresrum.com

Got to move

Dancers from the Dublin Youth Dance Company (l to r) Sophie Walsh, Willow Brodie Hayes, Florentine Ryan and Poppy Pendred pictured at the announcement that the Irish Youth Dance Festival (IYDF) returns to the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on July 1 and 2. Now in its 22nd year, the annual event provides a unique showcase for leading national and international youth dance choreographers and dancers.

Engineer crowned Ireland’s smartest person

Longford

AN electrical engineer from Longford has been crowned ‘Ireland’s Smartest’.

Patrick Carthy won that title after coming first in a television series which saw Ireland’s most intelligent quizzers put through their paces over ten weeks.

Mr McCarthy, a 31-year-old Legan native, was thrilled to win the competition. He told the Longford Leader: “I was delighted to win the series particularly against such excellent opponents. It was