24.02.2017
Michelle Dorgan of the Rochestown Park Hotel, left, after winning the Irish Hotels Federation (Cork Branch) Employee of the Year 2016 award and Maureen Power of the Beara Coast Hotel, winner of the Outstanding Customer Service award, at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, Co Cork.
Picture: David Keane.

For more details see attached press release.

Press Release
Cork Branch - Irish Hotels Federation Employee of the Year 2016 Awards Lunch – Oriel House Hotel Ballincollig
The Cork Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation held their 2016 Employee of the Year Awards on Friday 24th February which this year was hosted at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig as employers of the 2015 winner, Lauren Hogan.
The Award, now in its fourth year, saw a record 21 employees nominated for the annual Award and is a wonderful opportunity for Cork hotels and guest houses to demonstrate how highly they value and appreciate the quality of the people that work in their properties. The Award aims to not only reward hard-working employees, but also to highlight the diversity of the people that work within the industry and the many talents that contribute to the continued vibrancy of the hotel sector in Cork. The individuals honoured are indeed shining examples to the whole tourism industry in the South West of Ireland.
Aaron Mansworth, Chairperson of the Cork Irish Hotels Federations said “this event is always a wonderful occasion as we recognise the commitment of our team members and it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that is positive in our industry throughout Cork. The Award not only contributes to a considerable increase in profile for the winner, but is also notable in offering a platform to promote the work of the winning hotel to its customers, suppliers and employees.”
Sponsors Michael and Kate Barry of Barry and Fitzwilliam attended on the afternoon and Kate gave a hint of what the winner would experience on their winning trip to the vineyards in Bordeaux. Lauren Hogan, last year’s winner also echoed Kate’s views and spoke of how much she has enjoyed her experience as Employee of the Year, in particular in promoting Cork and the hospitality industry.
Congratulations were extended to the 2016 candidates by Donagh Davern of CIT Hospitality and Tourism Department, with the high standard a credit to the calibre of all nominees who received a framed certificate on the afternoon in recognition of their achievement before this year’s deserved winners were announced. Maureen Power of the Beara Coast Hotel won the 2016 award for Outstanding Customer Service and Michelle Dorgan of Rochestown Park Hotel was revealed as the overall 2016 Cork IHF Employee of the Year.
It was a fitting end to a fine afternoon, with Ronan Fahy, General Manager of Oriel House Hotel, and his team serving up a beautiful meal jam packed with the very finest Cork ingredients. The occasion truly did showcase all that is great about Cork.
Ends.