2008 Hospitality Awards

The 2008 AA Hospitality Awards ceremony took place earlier this month in the Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate, Dublin. Hosted by AA Public Affairs Manager, Conor Faughnan and AA Roadwatch Controller, Nicola Hudson the Awards celebrated the achievements of our award winners and recognised the excellence and success in their chosen market.

The six main award winners announced on the evening were:

  • AA Hotel of the Year 2008/2009 awarded to The BrookLodge & Wells Spa, Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow.
  • AA Guest Accommodation of the Year 2008/2009 awarded to Killiane Castle, Drinagh, Co Wexford.
  • AA Courtesy & Care Award 2008/2009 awarded to Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa, Killarney Road, Tralee, Co Kerry.
  • AA Business Hotel of the Year 2008/2009 awarded to Mullingar Park Hotel, Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
  • AA Bean and Tí of the Year 2008/2009 awarded to Bridie Herlihy of Berkeley Lodge, Station Road, Adare, Co Limerick.
  • AA Tourism Innovation Award 2008/2009 awarded to Gougane Barra Hotel, Cork.

All approved properties are automatically considered for these annual awards. Winners will have demonstrated excellence and success within their chosen category, showing a significant improvement in the preceding 12 - 18 months and proving their dedication to raising industry standards and enhancing their guest (and diner) experiences.

Also acknowledged on the evening were Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Bushypark, Galway who received a new Inspectors’ Choice Hotel (Red Star) Award along with 17 other properties retaining their Red Stars this year, including The K Club who were the first property to be bestowed 5 Red Stars in Ireland in 1994.

New Rosette recipients awards and retaining rosette award winners were celebrated along with Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Hotel Minella, Clonmel, and The White House, Kinsale who each were awarded a higher classification this year. We also took the opportunity to welcome 37 newly appointed properties to the AA Recognition scheme.

In his address Mr Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism spoke about the quality of the Irish Hospitality industry; that Ireland has so much to offer and be proud of and he commended the talent within the industry. Minister Cullen also thanked the award winners and all the participants for their sustained pursuit of excellence within our dynamic tourism industry.

Congratulations to all our 2008 award winners. For further images from our ceremony, please visit our on line gallery at www.AAireland.ie/hospitalityawards2008