Pictured left to right: Janice Lacey (Accommodation Supervisor)and Martin Mallon (Pure Vent)
The team at Killeavy Castle Estate has received the award for Best Tourism & Hospitality Team at the Newry Chamber Employee & Team Awards 2022.
The awards, which took place in September, saw the very best employees and teams from the business community across the Greater Newry Area recognised at a glittering awards ceremony where 21 individuals and organisations celebrated their greatest assets – their people.
Speaking about the win, the General Manager of Killeavy Castle Estate, Jason Foody said “We are thrilled that the team at Killeavy Castle Estate has received this top accolade, fending off competition from fierce competitors across the local area to take this title.
“To be named as the Best Tourism & Hospitality Team is a testament to our team’s commitment to providing top-class customer service and experiences for our guests, both local and from further afield.
“During a challenging couple of years, the flexibility of our team and willingness to work together and take a unified approach to the challenges that faced us proved invaluable in ensuring the continued success of our venue. This unified approach is consistent throughout our entire team at the Estate and this award is a reminder of the great things that we can achieve when we work together.”
Speaking about the awards, Julie Gibbons, President of Newry Chamber said:
“There is no question the few years have been amongst the toughest times faced by businesses and society in general. However, from the over 150 award applications received by the Chamber, we can clearly see that the local economy is being driven by many hardworking, ambitious, and talented people.”
“The Employee & Team Awards hold a special place for me, as this is the opportunity to really recognise our people. I often say to my team, that leaders are only as good as their team. I would say most business owners would say that if it was not for the commitment, work and loyalty of their teams and “covid heroes”, we would never have made it through the last couple of difficult years.”
“The Greater Newry Area is recognised as a place synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation, excellent service, product quality and customer care. This year’s awards have recognised the very best that this region’s business community has to offer. Well done to all individuals and teams that entered and congratulations to the winners.”
In addition to receiving the 'Best Tourism & Hospitality Team 'award, Killeavy Castle Estate sponsored the Best Public Sector Employee Award, presented by General Manager Jason Foody to winner Damian Mulholland from the Department for Communities.
In recent months, Killeavy Castle Estate has received a string of accolades including being named as a four-star AA hotel and receiving two AA Rosettes for ‘Culinary Excellence’ in the hotel Restaurant from the AA Awards.
The Estate has also received the title of Hotel of the Year (Up to 75 rooms) at the LCN Awards 2022 and received the award for ‘Best Food & Drink Experience’ at the NI Giant Spirit Awards, which also saw Mick Boyle, owner of Killeavy Castle Estate receiving the Local Spirit Award.
Most recently, Killeavy Castle Estate picked up a number of awards at the Irish Hotel Awards where it was named Intimate Wedding Venue of the Year and Castle of the Year (Ulster), as well as receiving the titles of Gourmet Getaway of the Year and Fine Dining Experience of the Year. In addition, the concierge at the Estate, Jason Kenny, was named as a finalist for Concierge of the Year.