Three ATU graduates among the finalists for Irish Hospitality Institute Graduate of Year Awards
Three graduates from the Galway International Hotel School at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) were selected among five finalists for the Irish Hospitality Institute Hospitality Graduate of the Year 2022; Róisín Corrigan and Max Reid from Co Wicklow, and Hannah Smyth from Co Waterford.
The competition is open to all higher education institutes in Ireland to nominate their graduates, who went through an initial rigorous online screening process. A panel of industry judges selected five finalists for interview in Dublin in October, with the winner announced at the event.
Established in 1966, the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) is the professional body for the Hospitality Industry in Ireland. The IHI Hospitality Management Awards is a prestigious annual event that recognises the contribution to the industry by hospitality professionals.
The gala event was held in the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin on Thursday 24 November 2022. Over 550 attendees from across the Irish tourism and hospitality industry witnessed 13 awards being distributed and four individuals enrolled as Fellows of the Irish Hospitality Institute (FIHI).
Cáit Noone (FIHI), Head of School, says: “We are delighted to have three graduates represent the Galway International Hotel School in this national ceremony. It is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of Róisín, Hannah and Max that they were selected as finalists. It is also a positive reflection on the dedication of the team at ATU who deliver innovative and industry focused programmes.”
Dr John Carty (FIHI), lecturer at Galway International Hotel School, ATU, says: “Róisín, Hannah and Max can be very proud of their achievements in this national award ceremony and we are very proud of them. They are great ambassadors for all our graduates from tourism, hospitality, culinary, heritage and event management programmes at the Galway International Hotel School.”
Brian Bowler, President of the IHI, speaking at the awards, said: ”This is a very special evening for the IHI, as we come together for this event for the first time in three years. Tonight, we celebrate 56 years of the IHI and 25 years of the IHI Hospitality Management Awards, but most importantly we celebrate our 59 finalists, for their, passion, professionalism, ability, energy and of course their excellence in what they do. In a world of continual change, we recognise that it is our people that make Irish Hospitality and Tourism World renowned.”
Hannah Smyth says: “Being selected as a finalist was a great honour for me. It allowed me to reflect on my achievements from ATU and from working in the tourism and hospitality sector. It was thoroughly rewarding to be recognised for my years of dedication and has given me confidence in continuing my efforts of building my career in this dynamic and exciting industry.”
For further information on programmes in the GIHS, ATU Galway city, see: https://www.gmit.ie/schools-campuses/galway-international-hotel-school
ENDS
Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications
Tel: 091-742826 Mob: 0879618355
