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Sonia named overall Employee of the Year 

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By Michelle Crean

There was great excitement on Monday as to who the main winner would be at the annual Irish Hotels Federation, Kerry Branch, Employee of the Year awards lunch.

Staff at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel Siobhan O'Shea Lez Les Brzozka Robin Bast and Jacinta Prendergast give a 'thumbs up' to their colleague Kevin O'Shea after he was awarded 'in absentia' a special citation and honour after being chosen as a finalist at the IHF Employee of the Year awards special function in Killarney on Monday. Also in the photo are Emer Corridan (vice-chair Kerry IHF) Conor Hennigan (Hennigan Hospitality) and Mary Rose Stafford (MTU judge). Photo: Don MacMonagle

Sonia Smith (third from left front row) who works as a receptionist in The Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney was chosen as the Kerry Hotels ‘Employee of The Year’ at an Irish Hotels Federation special function in Killarney on Monday pictured receiving her award from Emer Corridan (Secretary Kerry Branch IHF). Also included are front from left: Mary Rose Stafford (MTU judge) Chloe Kelliher (Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa) Anne Marie Collins (International Hotel) Agnieszka Manda (Killarney Plaza Hotel) Deirdre Moran (Butler Arms Hotel) and Conor Hennigan (Hennigan Hospitality). Second row: Sophie Farrell (Dromhall Hotel) Aaron McCann (The Gleneagle Hotel) and Heather Fletcher (Manor West Hotel). At back: Ramona Scur (The Rose Hotel) Chris O'Sullivan (Muckross Park Hotel) Pal Palfi (Great Southern Killarney) Trish Murphy (Killarney Park Hotel) Lin Zhong (The Brehon Hotel) Siobhan O'Shea (representing Kevin O’Shea from The Aghadoe Heights Hotel) and Danijel Zupan (Parknasilla Resort Hotel). Photo: Don MacMonagle

Sonia Smith who works as a receptionist in The Cahernane House Hotel was chosen as the Kerry Hotels Employee of The Year at an Irish Hotels Federation special function in Killarney on Monday pictured receiving her award from Emer Corridan (Secretary Kerry Branch IHF). Pictured left: Anne Marie Collins (International Hotel) who received a special citation for her work in the hotel industry. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Sonia Smith who works as a receptionist in The Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney was chosen as the Kerry Hotels ‘Employee of The Year’ at an Irish Hotels Federation special function in Killarney on Monday. She is pictured receiving her award from Emer Corridan (Secretary Kerry Branch IHF) with Michael Magnier (IHF). Photo: Don MacMonagle

Over 60 guests, with nominees from 16 different hotels, attended the event in The Brehon Hotel. It was hosted by Conor Hennigan and attended by Mary Rose Stafford from MTU Tralee and Michael Magner - Vice President of Irish Hotels Federation.

Emer Corridan, Secretary of the Kerry Branch, described the nominees as the "best of best that Kerry has to offer".

"Each candidate was nominated by their hotel for their outstanding commitment and contribution to the overall success of the hotel and independently interviewed by two judges, Mary Rose Stafford from MTU Tralee and Michael Vaughan from Vaughan Lodge in Clare. They had an exceptionally difficult task and were blown away by the positive attitude, the levels of guest care, the team spirit and the length of service to the hospitality industry, which ranged from two to 40 years."

After a long deliberation the winner was announced as Sonia Smith from Cahernane House Hotel as the overall Employee of the Year 2022.

"Sonia started in 2018 in the accommodation department after completing her Leaving Certificate. She quickly showed her aptitude and ability and moved to reception in 2019 and was promoted to reception supervisor in 2022. She is an amazing leader and team player and loves going above and beyond to create amazing memories for the Cahernane guests."

There were two further awards for 'Service to the Irish Hotel Industry on Behalf of the Irish Hotels Federation', these were awarded to Kevin O'Shea from the Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Anne Marie Collins from The International Hotel.

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MTU hosts Active Ageing Festival at Kerry Sports Academy

Young students got to share their learning skills while an older group showed patience and experience during the ‘Active Ageing Festival’. Held in Munster Technological University last week the event, […]

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Young students got to share their learning skills while an older group showed patience and experience during the ‘Active Ageing Festival’.

Held in Munster Technological University last week the event, in conjunction with Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP), saw 150 people engaged with a busy schedule of activities, facilitated by the students and staff of the Department of Health and Leisure Studies.

Dr Barry Moynihan, Consultant Geriatrician in University Hospital Kerry opened the event with an informative talk on the importance of movement as we age.

Many community organisations and networks were represented on the day such as HSE, Baile Mhuire, Kerry Library, Kerry Call, SeanChairde, Centre of Smart Ageing, Probus and Age and Opportunity.

Activities such as Pickleball, Bowls, Better Balance Better Bones, Dance and Yoga were also showcased.

Gearoid O’Doherty, coordinator of the KRSP, highlighted the need for more community-based activities for older adults across Kerry and the role of the partnership in supporting this development.

It is hoped that other venues across the county can facilitate a similar event in the future.

MTU lecturer and event coordinator Eimear Foley, spoke of the mutual benefit that this day provided to both participants and students.

“The real-life experience afforded to the students is immense, with involvement in planning, delivering and evaluation of the event to the fore.”

Within their course, the concept of being active across the lifespan is embedded and this opportunity for the students to engage in real life learning is paramount. Older people can generate community-based learning experiences not only for themselves but also for the young. Many of the participants commented on the professionalism, warmth and enthusiasm of the students, whilst the students were delighted with the patience shown to them and ease of conversation with the participants.

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Killarney to feature on TG4’s Country Music show

By Sean Moriarty A song about Killarney – once made famous by local Country Music hero Dermot Moriarty – will feature on TG4 tomorrow night (Tuesday). The second series of […]

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By Sean Moriarty

A song about Killarney – once made famous by local Country Music hero Dermot Moriarty – will feature on TG4 tomorrow night (Tuesday).

The second series of the Irish channel’s County Music show ‘Viva Ceol Tire’, which highlights emerging Country Music talent in Ireland, airs every Tuesday night at 9.30pm.

The next programme will feature Donegal singer David James’ version of ‘Oh Killarney’.

The programme was filmed entirely on location in Killarney including Torc Waterfall, Ladies View Moll’s Gap and Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

“The song was written by Dennis Allen. However, it was a hit for Dermot Moriarty in the 1980s. The first time I heard it I loved it and I was thrilled with the reaction my version has got,” James, who is from the small village of Killean in Donegal, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It’s pretty rural but I love it. I’ll be in Country Music 10 years this May. My first gig was in the local GAA hall for my aunt’s 50th birthday. I was 14 and I’ve been at it ever since.”

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