Laois hotel manager wins Hotelier of the Year at prestigious awards

The Laois manager of a four star Hotel has been awarded Hotelier of the Year.

Ger Alley from Durrow is the General Manager of Killashee Hotel in County Kildare which has won two major awards at the IHI Hospitality Management Awards (HMAs), held ln the Clayton Hotel, Dublin on Thursday November 27.

Ger and Killashee Hotel itself are longterm supporters of Laois hero, Emma Fogarty from Abbeyleix, the patient ambassador for EB Ireland, and now author of a autobiography Being Emma. 

Last year when actor Colin Farrell ran the Dublin City marathon, pushing his friend Emma in her wheelchair for the final four km, Ger ran it too, to raise money for the Irish charity.

Killashee Hotel also has a special garden created for Emma, called the Butterfly Trail, and kindly hosts meetings and events for her, including her 40th birthday party.

Mr Alley's award was sponsored by Broadline Group, while the second Killashee Hotel winner, Phillip Gleeson was awarded Executive Head Chef of the Year sponsored by Unilever.

A third team member Paul Berry was one of the nominees for the  Food & Beverage Manager of the Year. Both awards were presented by Ciara Drohan, IHI President.

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The Hospitality Management Awards are a prestigious celebration of excellence within the hospitality industry.  An annual event, the awards honour outstanding individuals in the hospitality industry, recognising their professionalism, dedication, leadership and innovation. 

The focus is on the individuals who make the industry thrive, acknowledging both their leadership and the impact they have on shaping high standards of service, innovation, and teamwork.

Nominated by their colleagues or managers, nominees are assessed through a rigorous judging process that evaluates leadership, technical expertise, continuous learning and the innovation and enthusiasm they bring to their roles.