News

Andrew O'Gorman passes away

Andrew O'Gorman, who has died, was a pionerering hospitality industry educator and an internationally-admired representative of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers and the AOG 2 Bartenders Association of Ireland, having served both organisations as President and Secretary.

He was a key organiser of Ireland's participation in tthe Best Sommelier of World competition and the World Cocktail Champiionship as well as other national, European and World competitions for sommeliers and bartenders.

His funeral takes place to-morroow (Tuesday 21st September) in St. Vincent de Paul church Marino at 11.30am.”

Andy was involved in many aspects of hospitality and education throughout his life. He was for many years director of Bartending Courses at Dublin VEC and later was a lecturer at DIT Cathal Brugha Street.

A native of Newport, Co. Tipperary, he is survived by his wife Mary, (nee O’Brien), sons Cathal and Colm, grandchildren Aoibhinn, Clodagh, Elleah, Caoimhe, Cian and his late granddaughter Baby Amelia.

Reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand on Monday 20th September from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, for family and close friends.

Virtual sales mission to Germany

Eighteen tourism companies from Ireland have been taking part in Tourism Ireland’s virtual sales missions in Germany, this week and last week. montage

Pictured are (top l-r) Christian Schmelter, Cliste Hospitality; Denise Quinn, Tourism Ireland; Deirdre Purcell, MHL Hotel Collection; (middle l-r) Aislinn O’Driscoll, Fáilte Ireland; Fabian Balz, Studiosus Reisen; Una Young, Select Hotels of Ireland; (bottom l-r) Christian Ruebel, Tourism Ireland; Jessica Ridge, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens; and Valerie Wilgar, Dalata Hotel Group, during Tourism Ireland’s virtual sales mission in Germany, this week.

The sales missions are online events, organised by Tourism Ireland to allow the participating tourism companies from Ireland to connect with key German tour operators – via a series of virtual interactive roundtable discussions. Two upcoming sales missions are also planned, next week and in early October.

Cheesemaker launches Aran Food Trail

Aran Island Ferries has welcomed the announcement of the new Aran Food Tour created by its fellow tourism colleague, Aran Goats Cheese, producer Gabriel Faherty. The new aranxcheese0921 Aran Food Tour which is now available to book online at www.arangoatcheeseandfoodtours.com is centered on Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Aran Food Tours features a visit to an Economusée on the island, tasting at the Aran Goats Cheese Farm, meet the Aran Goats, combined with an experience at Bláth na Mara, a hand-harvested seaweed producer. Aran Food Tours are led by native islander and goats cheese producer Gabriel Faherty who’s passion for his native island homeland is palpable as he delivers a highly informative and entertaining guided tour of Inis Mór which combines the culture of food on the island with the rich Irish History and of course the Irish language. In addition Gabriel’s Aran Food Tour also gives visitors the opportunity to experience Inis Mór’s unique and world renowned historical and cultural sites, including the stunning Dún Aengus Cliffs, the Seacht Teampaill or site of the Seven Churches and the islands seal colony.

New roof for Leinster House restaurant

Leinster House is to undergo further renovations as the roof over the Members’ Restaurant is set to be replaced and repaired, less than two years after a €17m project was LeinsterHouse0921

completed elsewhere at the parliament.

The maintenance and repair works are being overseen by the Office of Public Works and also aim to make part of the parliament building more energy efficient.

It said there had been issues with leaks and water ingress on the single-storey flat roof over the restaurant used by TDs and Senators, located on the Merrion Street side of the complex.

Preliminary “opening up” work has already taken place to consider the scale of the project before a tender for the project was issued.

An OPW spokesperson said the roofing finish and glazing would need to be replaced.

Cafés welcome workers' return

Restaurant and café owners will welcome the return of tousands of workers to their offices to-day followng a long period of working from home. office0921

The go-ahead to return to workplaces was given by the National Public Health Emergency Team last week.,

From to-day, people can begin to return to workplaces today “for specific business requirements” and on a “phased and staggered attendance basis”.

Speaking on Sunday, the Tánaiste said that many will be looking forward to the return to the office but he added that he wants remote working to remain permanently.

“I know many are looking forward to returning to the office, to see their colleagues who they’ve only seen through a screen for the past 18 months, in person.

"For those who were recruited during the pandemic, it will be the first time ever they’ve been in the office or met their co-workers – even after over a year working together in some cases,” said Leo Varadkar.