The 33rd CIE Tours Awards of Excellence took place at Christ Church Cathedral on Wednesday evening January 29th, 2025, presented by Chairman of CIÉ Tours, Aidan Murphy and Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours.
Presentations were made to Irish hoteliers and tourist experience operators who have been singled out by the 30,000 visitors who came to Ireland with CIE Tours in 2024.
Now in their 33rd year, and an annual highlight within the tourism industry, each year, the prestigious accolades are awarded based on post-stay feedback received by CIE Tours from their customers.
CIÉ Tours is the leading inbound tour operator for North American visitors to Ireland for over 90 years and in that time has brought over 3 million visitors from North America to Ireland.
In 2024, CIE Tours achieved over 250,000 bed nights across Ireland, supporting local communities through tourism.
Stephen Cotter shared, “2024 was another landmark year for us, when we booked over 250,000 bed nights throughout Ireland. Our support for tourism destinations is bringing vital revenue to towns and villages across the country. We are delighted to honour these leaders in tourism Sligo. Atlantic Sheepdogs play a significant role in the Irish tourism industry while also making important contributions to their local community in terms of jobs and wealth creation.”
Aidan Murphy shared, “Our honorees all deserve recognition for the excellent roles they play in welcoming visitors to Ireland and ensuring they have a memorable experience”.
Fourteen overall award winners were announced, each achieving a customer satisfaction rating of over 94pc.
CIÉ Tours intend to introduce walking and hiking tours in Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2026 to expand into the activity tourism market.
Category winners:
- 3-star: Dooley’s Hotel Waterford provides exceptional guest experience with its warm welcome and attention to detail, standing out as a family-run, 3-star hotel.
- 4-star: Cabra Castle, Kingscourt, county Cavan, Set on 100 acres of lush parkland, Cabra Castle captivates guests with its timeless beauty and tranquil elegance.
- 5-star: Dromoland Castle county Clare, Known for its luxurious surroundings and impeccable service, Dromoland Castle sets the standard for 5-star hotels in Ireland.
- Dinner Feature: Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa in Adare, Known for its warm hospitality and sustainable cooking, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House is honored with the Gold Award for Special Dinner Feature for the second consecutive year.
- Event Dinner/Entertainment: The Crosskeys Inn, county Antrim, Ireland’s oldest thatched roof pub, dating back to 1654, offers guests an evening steeped in history, tradition, and the in traditional Irish music.
- Heritage Award: Moriarty’s Authentic Irish Gift Store, in the Gap of Dunloe, Moriarty’s is known for its exceptional traditional Irish gifts and has been delighting CIE Tours customers for generations.
- Hotel Dinner: Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa in Tralee creates exceptional dishes sourced from fresh, local produce, embodying Irish hospitality at its finest.
- Hotel Service & Hospitality: The Dunraven Adare offers exceptional charm, warmth, and hospitality, making it a popular home base for tours.
- Hotel Accommodation: Kilronan Castle in County Roscommon combines luxury and history, offering a truly memorable experience with its stunning 4-star accommodations.
- Lunch: Taylors Three Rock in the Dublin mountains, Combining traditional Irish music, song, and dance with a hearty meal, a lunch at Taylor’s Three Rock leaves guests entertained and immersed in Irish culture.
- Sheep Dog Trial: Atlantic Sheepdogs Grange, Co. Sligo , At their traditional Irish sheep farm, Martin and Trish Feeney showcase the skills of some of the world’s smartest sheepdogs, offering an unforgettable experience with a 99% customer satisfaction rating in 2024.
- Tour Feature: The Marine Bar in Dungarvan is known for its lively atmosphere, traditional Irish music, and warm welcome, making it a favorite stop for music lovers.
- Visit : Long Meadow Cider, in the Orchard County of Armagh, a family farm producing award-winning ciders, juices, and vinegars, holds the cross-category Gold Award for Visit with a score of 98pc.
- Walking Tour: Westport Walking Tour Few walking tours capture the essence of Irish heritage like Westport Walking Tours. Guests explore the Georgian town’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, brought to life by engaging guides sharing tales of saints, pirates, and more.
Hotel Merit Winners
There were 68 Merit Winners for 2024. These hotels and tourist attractions achieved an outstanding customer rating of 92pc or higher.
- Connacht Hotel Merit Winners: Galway Bay Hotel, The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Knockranny House Hotel
- Leinster Hotel Merit Winners: Academy Plaza Hotel, Aloft Dublin City, Ashling Hotel, Clayton Hotel Burlington, Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, Clontarf Castle Hotel, Croke Park Hotel, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Grand Canal Hotel, Herbert Park Hotel, Hyatt Centric Liberties, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, The Davenport Hotel, The Gibson Hotel, Sheraton Athlone Hotel
- Munster Hotel Merit Winners: The River Lee Hotel, Kinsale Hotel & Spa, The Rose Hotel, Great Southern Killarney, International Hotel Killarney, Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney Towers Hotel, Limerick Strand Hotel, Clayton Hotel Limerick
- Ulster Hotel Merit Winners: Europa Hotel, Grand Central Hotel Belfast, Hilton Belfast, The Ebrington Hotel, Mill Park Hotel, Culloden Estate & Spa
Attraction Merit Winners
- Connacht Visit Merit Winners: Kylemore Abbey, Killary Harbour Cruise, Corrib Princess Cruise, Ballintubber Abbey
- Leinster Visit Merit Winners: Experience Glasnevin, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, Malahide Castle & Gardens, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Kilmainham Gaol, Irish National Stud & Gardens, Sullivan’s Taproom, Gretta Power Bungalow B&B, Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre, Dunbrody Emigrant Ship, Johnstown Castle, Glendalough Visitor Centre, Sean’s Bar
- Munster Visit Merit Winners: Midleton Distillery Experience, Blarney Castle, Tangney Tours Jaunting Car, Killarney Horse & Carriage Tours, Tom Crean South Pole Inn, John B Keanes Pub, Ionad an Bhlascaoid / The Blasket Centre, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Cliffs of Moher
- Ulster Visit Merit Winners: Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, Glenveagh Castle & National Park, Slieve League Cliffs Centre, Donegal Castle, St. Patrick’s Centre, Down Cathedral
