STAFF AWARDS: From l-r were: Margaret Martin, Claire Thompson, Agnieszka Szwab (winner of 'Rising Star' award), Louise Fleming and Noreen Lyne.

O’Donoghue Ring Hotels rolled out the red carpet last week for their Group Employee Awards evening at the Killarney Plaza Hotel.

Staff were treated to Gala dinner and were entertained by Brendan Fuller MC on the night with dancing until the early hours.

The awards were created bespoke by local craftsman James Purcell.

[caption id="attachment_29998" align="alignleft" width="1024"] Group Reservations Team (winner of 'Best Sales Team' award) with Director Gemma Ring (far right).[/caption]

As acknowledged by Directors Michael O’Donoghue and Gemma Ring on the night, it was not an easy task deciding on the award winners such is the level of talent within the group, but all of the award winners were extremely deserving.

Trevor McCarthy of Shannon College of Management assisted the awards committee with selection and was delighted with the commitment and dedication of staff shown throughout the group of four hotels.

Milan Chamula of the River Island kitchen team took home the ‘Unsung Hero Award’.

[caption id="attachment_29997" align="alignleft" width="1024"] From l-r were: Conor O'Leary ('Community Champion' award winner), Gemma Ring (Director), Tracy Dillion ('Community Champion' award winner) and Micheal O'Donoghue (Director).[/caption]

The ‘Rising Star Award’ went to Agnieszka Szwab of the Towers Accommodation Department.

Fausat Lawal of The Killarney Plaza kitchen team was awarded the ‘Employee of the Year’.

Margaret Murphy, the Accommodation Manager in the Killarney Avenue Hotel, won the ‘Manager of the Year’ award.

The ‘Support Person of the Year’ award was given to Edel Lynch of the HR department.

‘Best Newcomer of the Group’ was awarded to Rory O’Sullivan from Group Stores.

There were two winners of the ‘Community Champion Award’, Tracy Dillion and Conor O’Leary.

The River Island hotel team were deserving winners of the ‘Best Guest Experience’ award.

The ‘Best Sales Team’ went to the Reservations Department and the ‘Hotel Team of the Year’ went to The Killarney Avenue Hotel.

[caption id="attachment_29995" align="alignleft" width="1024"] From l-r were: Trevor McCarthy (Lecturer at Shannon College of Hotel Management), Margaret Murphy (winner of 'Manager of the Year' award) and Orna O'Mahony (HR Manager).[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29996" align="alignleft" width="1024"] From l-r were: Orna O'Mahony (HR Manager), Edel Lynch (winner of 'Best Support Person' award) and Trevor McCarthy (Lecturer at Shannon College of Hotel Management).     [/caption]