THE proprietor of Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa in Tralee, Pádraig McGillicuddy, was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Connect Kerry Hospitality Awards last night in the INEC Killarney.
He was one of 30 recipients at the gala event which celebrated all those who have contributed to the hospitality industry in Kerry over the past year. The event has Hosted by John Drummey.
The former President of Tralee Chamber Alliance and Chairman of Holiday Tralee, Pádraig McGillicuddy runs a hotel that has been an integral part of the Kerry community for over sixty years, during which three generations of the family have constantly driven the hotel to be one of the premier four star hotels in Ireland. Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa has featured in the Top Ten Hotels in Ireland on TripAdvisor for past number of years.
The event organiser and publisher of Connect Kerry Magazine, Margaret Kissane, said: “Kerry’s hospitality industry is admired throughout the country and internationally and it needs to have its own special event to showcase and acknowledge the high standards of product and service provided in this sector. It was a joy to be in the company of so many dedicated people who each play a part in the success of Kerry as a world leader in the tourism sector.”
Many of the winners were chosen through a public vote and such was the enormity of the response, the Connect Kerry Hospitality Awards are a true reflection of how much the nominees are regarded by the public they serve from Dingle to Killarney, from Tralee to Valentia and from Listowel to Killorglin.
“The Connect Kerry Hospitality Awards could not happen without the support of the generous sponsors, the Judges and support team, to whom I’m most grateful,” said Margaret Kissane.
Full details of the recipients of Connect Kerry Hospitality Awards for 2019 will be published in the next issue of Connect Kerry Magazine, on ConnectPublications.ie and on the Connect Kerry Facebook Page.
Categories and Winners of People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice Awards
- Bartender of the Year in association with DINGLE GIN – Neil O’Shea, The Greyhound Bar Tralee
- The Connect Kerry Overall Customer Service Award – Catherine Moriarty Cassidy’s Tralee
- Restaurant Server of the Year in association with Tralee Chamber Alliance – Susan Farrelly, West End Bar and Restaurant Fenit
- The Connect Kerry Luxury Hotel Experience – Muckross Park Hotel Killarney
- Receptionist of the Year in association with EF Signs – Elaine Young Ballygarry House Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Social Media Award- Sol Y Sombra Killorglin
- Marketing Executive in association with Exposé Design – Sean McDermott, The Brehon Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Team of the Year – Listowel Arms Hotel
- Concierge / Porter of the Year – Maksim Juric, Muckross Park Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Years of Service to Chosen Industry – Esther McCarthy, Ballyseede Castle
- Chef of the Year in association with Rural Food Skillnet – Pat Moynihan, Kirby’s Brogue Inn, Tralee
- The Connect Kerry Best Tourist Bar of the Year – Sean Óg’s Bar, Tralee
- Accommodation Department in association with Connect Kerry Business Club – Andella Hayden, Hotel Killarney
- The Connect Kerry Best Live Music Venue – JM Reidy’s
- Hotel Manager of the Year in association with South Kerry Skillnet – Ruth O’Sullivan, The Ashe and Manor West Hotel Group, Tralee
- The Connect Kerry One to Watch – The Fish Box Dingle
- Wedding Manager of the Year in association with Music Venue Connect – Thys Vogls, Ballygarry House Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Specialist in their Chosen Industry – O’Callaghan Coach Holidays
- Restaurant Manager of the Year in association with Chef Collab – Aidan Teahan, Kirby’s Brogue Inn, Tralee
- The Connect Kerry Family Business of the Year – The Oyster Tavern
- Best Café, in association with The Café at Ballyseedy – Bean in Dingle
- The Connect Kerry Best Gastro Pub – Mac Munns, Ballybunion
- Best Seafood Experience in association with Taste Kerry – The Moorings Bar and Restaurant, Portmagee
- The Connect Kerry Readers’ Choice Award – Kathleen Nelligan, Lord Kenmare’s
- Best Bar Food Experience in association with Sean Kissane Meats – The Oaks Hotel Killarney
- The Connect Kerry Best Family Dining Experience – Yummy Café, Tralee
- Best Fine Dining Experience In association with IT Tralee – Lord Kenmare’s Restaurant, Killarney
- The Connect Kerry Best Home Cooking Experience – The Little Cheese Shop, Tralee
- Best Casual Dining in association with Kerry College of Further Education & Training – Dott’s Bar, The Rose Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Sunday Lunch Experience – Gally’s Bar and Restaurant Tralee
- Publican of the Year in association with John Drummey Communications – Ollie Favier, The Shire Bar, Killarney
- The Connect Kerry Rising Star – Daniel MacMonagle, Scotts Bar, Killarney
- Bar of the Year in association with Kirby’s Brogue Inn – Scotts Bar, Killarney
- The Connect Kerry Best Hotel Bar – Alfie’s Bar at The Ashe Hotel
- Hotel of the Year in association with Kerry Airport – Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee
- The Connect Kerry Best Boutique Hotel Experience – Killarney Royal Hotel
- Restaurant of the Year in association with Terra Food and Wines Tralee – Cassidy’s Restaurant Tralee
- The Connect Kerry Unsung Hero Within The Industry – Odhran Lucey, The Rose Hotel
- Best Hotel Spa in association with HQ Kerry – The Asanga Spa at The Brehon Hotel
- The Connect Kerry People’s Choice Award – Roisin O’Sullivan Café du Parc
- Best Wedding Venue in association with John Walsh Wedding Photography – Ballyseede Castle
- The Connect Kerry Best Cocktail Experience – Dale Kelly, Killarney Grand Hotel
- The Connect Kerry Best Guesthouse – Teach De Broc, Ballybunion
- The Connect Kerry Editor’s Choice Award – Mark Sullivan, The Rose Hotel
- Best Family Entertainment Venue in association with Video DJ Kerry – Sandy Feet Farm Camp
- Best Caravan-Camping Provider in association with Kerry Motor Works – Green Acres Castlegregory
- Best Newcomer in association with the Gleneagle Group – Kitty O’Shea’s Killarney
- Best Tour Operator in association with Kerry Executive Travel – Dingle Slea Head Tours
- The Connect Kerry Lifetime Achievement Award – Padraig McGillicuddy, Ballygarry House Hotel
