Kilkenny woman named 'Employee of Year' at regional hotel awards night

Alice Macauley, HR Assistant at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny has been announced as the 23/24 Irish Hotels Federation South East Branch ‘Employee of the Year’ at a special awards ceremony in the Talbot Hotel Carlow.

Over 120 guests attended the annual ‘Christmas Gathering and Employee of the Year Awards’ to celebrate and recognise 18 nominees from hotels and guesthouses across the south east who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.

Congratulating Alice on the award, IHF South East Branch Chair, Colm Neville said the judges highlighted her excellent communication skills, customer service and attention to detail when selecting her as the winner.

At the event, IHF President Denyse Campbell spoke about the importance of recognising excellence, and ‘Shaping Brighter Futures’ for people in the sector by supporting future leaders and keeping teams motivated with opportunities for career progression and development.

Alice joined the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny as a HR Assistant in the summer of 2022. In this role, Alice has been instrumental in supporting staff induction, internal communications, and career fairs – where she’s been recognised by her colleagues as representing Newpark to the highest standards. Demonstrating a wide range of skills, Alice also assists with Sales, Marketing and Events – including online bookings for the hotel’s Jurassic Newpark visitor experience. Alice is keen to continue her professional development within the hospitality sector and plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management.

Other presentations on the night included a ‘Highly Commended Award’ for Darragh O Mahony from the Viking Hotel Waterford and a ‘Special Service Award’ for Teresa Bradshaw from the Hoban Hotel Kilkenny.

Colm Neville, IHF South East Branch Chair and Denyse Campbell, IHF President presenting Teresa Bradshaw from Hoban Hotel Kilkenny with a ‘Special Service Award’

IHF South East Branch extends its gratitude to the expert judging panel comprised of Michael Vaughan (Vaughan Lodge Hotel and IHF Past President), Ray Cullen (Hospitality Training Consultant), and Tracy Hegarty (Shannon College of Hotel Management), who had the difficult job of selecting a winner from the nominees.

The members of the IHF South-East branch now wish Alice Macauley 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 in February 2024.