- Eimear Killian was elected president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
- She is the first president from Galway and the Gaeltacht region.
- She succeeds Seán Collender for a two-year term.
- Minister Peter Burke received the 2026 Mike Butt Award.
- Killian noted reducing the cost of doing business will be her top priority.
Eimear Killian owner of Builín Blasta Café and Retail in Spiddal Connemara has been elected president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. She is the first president to represent Galway and the Gaeltacht region succeeding Seán Collender. The association recognised outgoing president Collender for his work on restoring the 9pc VAT rate for food-led businesses.
Killian took over the position during the RAI President’s Dinner at Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort in County Wicklow. She succeeds Collender for a two-year term after previously serving as the association’s Deputy President. Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment Peter Burke received the 2026 Mike Butt Award for his support of the sector.
Killian noted reducing the cost of doing business will be her top priority addressing operational pressures small food businesses face regarding VAT rates rising wages and energy expenses. She will also champion rural hospitality. Her Connemara-based café has grown significantly since 2015 winning Connacht’s Best Café at the Irish Restaurant Awards.
