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National award for O’Donoghue Ring Group

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Killarney-based hotel group the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, has been awarded the Operational Excellence in Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure accolade at this year’s Operational Excellence Awards held in Dublin recently.

Presided over by a world-class judging panel drawn from the industry, academia and the broader stakeholder community, the annual Operational Excellence Awards aim to recognise and reward the individuals, teams and organisations who have made a commitment to achieving operational excellence and business transformation.

The O’Donoghue Ring Collection, whose impressive portfolio of hotels, apartments, bars and restaurants includes: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa; Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre; River Island Hotel; Killarney Avenue Hotel; The Tan Yard; Café du Parc and O’Donoghue Public House – received the Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure-focused award based on its use of “operational excellence as a critical driver to meet the demands of the sector and deliver value to its customers over the past 12 months.

“Hospitality, tourism and leisure is an incredibly dynamic and exciting sector to operate within. It’s a sector that refuses to stand still and constantly evolves to meet the ever-changing needs and desires of travellers and consumers. Our responsibility lies in constantly adjusting and refining our business practices to guarantee the highest levels of customer satisfaction,” said Brian Lawlor, Group General Manager of the family-run collection.

The award is the latest in a string of recognitions the O’Donoghue Ring Collection has received so far this year. The group began the year being certified as a “Great Place to Work” following positive feedback from almost 500 employees.

In February it was awarded Merits for three of its venues at the CIE Tours Annual Awards of Excellence, based on overwhelmingly positive responses to CIE’s customer surveys.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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