Emma-Mai was nominated by her employer Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary
Emma-Mai Roche, Equine Concierge at Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary has been announced as the 24/25 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) South East Branch ‘Employee of the Year’ at a special awards ceremony in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny.
Over 155 guests attended the annual ‘Christmas Gathering and Employee of the Year Awards’ to celebrate and recognise 21 nominees from hotels and guesthouses across the South East who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.
Congratulating Emma-Mai on the award, IHF South East Branch Chair, Patrick Kickham-Lennon said that, when selecting her as the winner, the judges highlighted Emma-Mai’s vitality, passion for her work and clear vision for where she is going in the future.
At the event, IHF President Michael Magner congratulated all nominees and spoke about the exceptional people within the sector whose contribution to tourism and hospitality is key to its success as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods – including over 28,000 jobs throughout the South East.
Emma lives in Fethard, County Tipperary. She has worked in the sector for a number of years, including as spa therapist at the Clonmel Park Hotel, Lyrath Estate, Adare Manor and the Horse and Jockey Hotel before moving into her current position as Equine Concierge at Cashel Palace Hotel, which she describes as a “dream role.”
On the night, there were also ‘Long Service Awards’ presented to Margaret Foley (Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel) and Dave Lacey (Tower Hotel Waterford), a ‘Highly Commended Award’ for Rachael Campbell (Granville Hotel Waterford) and ‘Certificates of Recognition’ for Monica Devereux (Seafield Hotel & Spa Resort, Wexford) and Louise Prendergast (Viking Hotel Waterford).
The IHF South East Branch extends its gratitude to the expert judging panel comprised of Ray Cullen (Hospitality Training Consultant), Tracy Hegarty (Shannon College of Hotel Management) and Frankie Whelan (Montenotte Hotel & The Wilder Townhouse, Dublin) who had the difficult job of selecting a winner from the nominees.
The members of the IHF South East Branch wish Emma-Mai the very best of luck as she goes on to represent them at the upcoming National IHF Employee of the Year Awards which will be held during the IHF’s Annual Conference at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney next year in late February.
