Donegal hotel owners and staff took a well-earned night off on Tuesday to enjoy the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball.
The annual event is a glamourous celebration of the local hospitality industry and a chance for friends, colleagues and industry figures to catch up and look forward to the year ahead.
This year’s dinner dance was held in the Shandon Hotel & Spa, and it was the perfect occasion for the four star coastal hotel to mark three years since it opened on 25th March 2016.
The Shandon Hotel Staff at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Christie Elliott, Noel Cunningham, and Michael McGrane, Harvey’s Point at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
A glitzy night of outstanding food, drink and entertainment was in store for the 120 guests in the dazzling McCarthy suite.
Derek Arnold of Arnold’s Hotel Dunfanaghy received a special honour from the Donegal IHF for his contribution to local tourism.
A highly-respected and influential hotelier, Mr Arnold was praised as a father figure to many in the industry.
Derek Arnold from Arnold’s Hotel is honoured by the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation at their annual Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Mr Arnold was ‘gobsmacked’ to be presented with the award and paid a warm-hearted tribute to his family, staff and colleagues.
“It’s a complete honour. Tourism has been very important to my whole family. It was tourism all my life,” he said.
“Without the support of my wife, my daughter, and my brother, I don’t think I would have been able to do the things I did, to them, thank you.”
He added: “Arnold’s wouldn’t be here without our staff. Over the years we’ve had a great team who are always behind us, from my grandfather’s day, up to the present day. To them, thank you for keeping Arnold’s going. And that is what keeps the tourism industry going.”
The Arnolds Hotel team at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Michael Lennon, President of the IHF said that the ball is “an opportunity to celebrate all that is special about Donegal tourism, its unique and unspoilt beauty and the warmth and humour of all the people.”
Mr Lennon acknowledged challenges faced by the Irish hospitality sector due to the VAT increase and encouraged hoteliers to make their voices heard.
He said: “Tourism is one of the largest employers in Donegal, it touches every town and village, and we need to keep the pressure on our government. We need to let them know that we need their support, especially in light of the recent VAT increase. With this additional money we need to make sure it is put into tourism infrastructure, whether it’s roads, access, visitor attraction centres.”
Paul Diver, Sandhouse Hotel, Maire Aine Gardiner, Michael Lennon, IHF President, Joan Crawford , Failte Ireland and Tim Fenn, CE, IHF at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
In light of the VAT increase and Brexit, Chairman of the IHF in Donegal Paul Diver announced that the proceeds of the 2019 ball would be used for marketing Donegal as a destination.
“With the uncertainty of Brexit it’s going to be a difficult tourism season we thought it would be prudent to build up a fund to market the county,” Mr Diver said.
Siobhan Barrett Doherty, Seamus Neely, CE Donegal County Council and Carolynne Harisson, Shandon Hotel at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
A surprise was in store for guests at the end of the banquet, as a stern ‘garda’ interrupted proceedings. However, it soon emerged that he was a singer, who was joined by a hidden waiter for a rousing performance of fun musical numbers and opera. The duo was followed by the Housem8s band, who soon had everyone on their feet to dance the night away.
See more photos from the Donegal IHF Ball below:
Anne Louise Scott, George Scott, Louise Walsh, Cormac Walsh, Aisling Vaughan, Keri Travers and Emma Logue from the Olde Glen Bar at the Irish Hotel’s Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
The Housem8s Band at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Sharon Ward, Helena Gallagher, Siobhan Barrett Doherty, Patrica Sharkey and Gert Eksteen at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
The staff from Harvey’s Point at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Karoline and Mary T Sweeney from Castle Grove Country House at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Marty Carlin gets Linda McKeown, Noreen McClafferty and Orla O’Flannigan in the picture at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Singer Mirenda Rosenberg entertaining guests at the drinks reception at the Shandon Hotel
Teresa White, Noel Cunningham and Shiela Russell from Harvey’s Point at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Stephen Cassidy and David Walsh representing MCM Brands at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Cocktail reception at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Chris Healy and Emma Davis from Gat the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Claire Doran and John Casey (Rosapenna Hotel) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
David Cahill (Redcastle Hotel), Eithne Cox, Gary Anderson (Pallas Foods), and Donal Cox (Lough Eske Castle) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Gareth McDonnell, Shiloh Kelly, Christine Gallagher and Brian Gallagher from Station House Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
The Abbey Hotel team with Máire Áine Gardiner (Failte Ireland) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Jacqueline McBride, Paul Boyle, Ursula Boyle, Nollag Rusell and Elaine O’Doherty from McGettigan’s Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Vicky Kee and Noel Pearson at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Kim Kelly and Grainne Dixon at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
The Waterfront Hotel team, Marie McGarvey, GM Martina Rafferty, Pat Boyle, Anne McEleney and Majella Bonner at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Linda McKeown, Noreen McClafferty and Orla O’Flanagan from the Silver Tassie Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
David Cahill, Jim Creaney and William Tindal at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
