The Irish Hotel Federation employee of the year is Andrea Burke.
The award was presented at the IHF conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel by Denyse Campbell, President of IHF and CEO Tim Fenn.
Members of the Irish Hotels Federation nominated 150 candidates who have consistently shown outstanding hospitality from their hotel/guesthouse to go forward for their regional IHF Branch award.
Andrea first joined the Sligo Park Hotel team as a Food and Beverage Assistant in 2018. Her potential and career ambition were quickly realised, and the hotel funded a Level 6 Diploma in Leadership and Supervisory Management at the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB. This forged a pathway for promotion to Team Leader for the Bar and Restaurant in 2020, and Andrea has continued to further her development – most recently undertaking a degree in Bar Management at Griffith College Dublin, a Level 7 qualification.
The full shortlist of nominees for the award were:
- Cork Chloe Twomey, Vienna Woods Hotel
- Donegal Gabriela Rodrigues, Clanree Hotel
- Dublin Leyre Veloso Cruz, Conrad Dublin
- Galway Ilaria de Filippo, The Galmont Hotel and Spa
- Kerry Maria Maye, Killarney Avenue Hotel
- Mayo Kay Bourke, The Westport Woods Hotel
- Midlands Austin Delaney, Midlands Park Hotel
- Mourne Boyne Lakes Saidhbhe Donegan, Headfort Arms Hotel
- Sligo Leitrim Roscommon Andrea Burke, Sligo Park Hotel
- South East Alice Macauley, Newpark Hotel
- Shannon Hannah Pike, Shannon Springs Hotel
- Wicklow Cyril Brennan, Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort
The Rising Star Award was presented to Hannah Pike, Receptionist at the Shannon Springs Hotel, Limerick. Hannah started her hospitality career in the Shannon Springs Hotel’s Accommodation Department in 2021 before moving to the Restaurant and Bar in the summer of 2022, and then to her current role in Reception in early 2023. In each role, Hannah quickly adapted and excelled, increasing her knowledge of the hotel’s various operations and departments. Next September, Hannah plans to apply to the Shannon College of Hotel Management. The judges commended Hannah for her professionalism, maturity and adaptability when selecting her as the Rising Star winner.
