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.