Allen Flynn |

Did you always want to be a hotelier?

Hospitality has always been part of our family.

The Flynn Hotel Collection was originally founded by my parents Niall and Dottie Flynn. I come from a family of five and four of us entered the business. I started in finance, but the hospitality bug caught me when I returned from New York in 1995. It truly has always been in my heart.

What’s the biggest focus for the Flynn Hotel Collection in 2023?

The biggest focus for us is to continue the business in a sustainable way by continuing to support local suppliers and farmers. We are always looking for ways to reduce our footprint, care for and protect the environment, and give back to the communities we are part of. We are looking forward to welcoming and looking after our guests across our four hotels in Cork, Dungarvan, Ennis and Kilkenny.

What is the ethos of The Flynn Hotel Collection?

“Let our Family Look After Yours”, this is true in everything we do. It’s not just a hotel break for our guests. It’s a home away from home where we try to create memories for our guest but also for our team.

CO-MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE FLYNN HOTEL COLLECTION

The Imperial Hotel, part of The Flynn Hotel Collection won Supreme Winner along with silver awards for Best Guest Experience and Best Hotel breakfast in the Gold Medal Awards. The Flynn Hotel Collection also won Gold for The Best Hotel Group. How did that make you feel?

I found it quite overwhelming. My parents started the business in 1960. They instilled a great work ethic and drive in my brothers and me. The most important message of all was to “Let our family look after yours”. That has always resonated with us and served us well through the ups and downs the industry has seen. We are all very proud of the amazing achievement of The Imperial Hotel in Cork. It is a hotel that has always been very special, but it has really blossomed in the last few years. We have been served with amazing management and staff in all the properties who work tirelessly and show great pride in their work. They are all an extended part of the Flynn Family and the awards are as much a reflection on their contribution to them and it is to us.

Me Auld Flower Kicks Off In March

Due to be held in Dublin City Fruit, Veg & Flower Market in Dublin 7 over St Patrick’s Festival weekend, ‘Me Auld Flower’ is a new Irish food and drinks festival from Andy Noonan and his team. This will be the first time a festival has taken place in the Victorian venue. The event will focus on Irish food and drink culture with a mix of restaurants, chefs, producers, distillers, brewers and makers, all under the one storied roof. “We are honoured to host this first-ofits-kind-event in one of Dublin’s mostloved buildings. I’ve always wanted to host an event in the market, highlighting the best in Irish food and drink. Me Auld Flower will bring this all to life under one roof. Guests can expect the same eye for talent as Big Grill, with all of the festival atmosphere we’re known for, in an indoor setting,” said Festival Director, Andy Noonan.

Appointment

Liss Ard Estate has announced the appointment of Alexi Argyris as the Estate’s new General Manager. Alexi was born in Greece and educated in England. His managerial career has taken him from Claridge’s in London to eight years with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, followed by a dip in the Caribbean seas and then five years with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. He joins Liss Ard from his most recent position as General Manager of The Rooster Wellness & Lifestyle Resort in Antiparos, Greece.

TOP MARKS FOR O’DONOGHUE RING COLLECTION

Kerry based hotel group, the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, has been certified as a “Great Place to Work” following positive feedback from almost 500 employees. Staff members across hotels including Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre, River Island Hotel, Park Place Apartments, Café du Parc, The Tan Yard and O’Donoghue Public House, completed the survey, achieving an impressive result.

Gemma Ring, Owner and Managing Director of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, said: "As a cornerstone of the local community, the employee experience and development of our people is central to our ethos. Our continuous innovation and progressive mindset is a reflection of our passionate and empowered team, who go above and beyond in their daily roles, to exceed guest expectations.”

Two programmes in Developing Leaders for Hospitality and Tourism are available through Education and Training Boards locally to ensure workers can upskill in their current role, but also take on new work areas to progress in their career.

Skill to Advance provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities, anticipating and responding to skill needs. It particularly targets those facing changes in their work due to technology advances, changing work practices and market diversification.

A key feature of Skills to Advance is its focus on sectors experiencing disruption or those with emerging opportunities. An example of this is Developing Leaders for Hospitality and Tourism. Driven by the critical challenges now facing the industry and to boost the retention and career progression of key talent, two new training programmes have been developed by SOLAS and the ETBs in collaboration with the Irish Hotels Federation, Failte Ireland and Regional Skills Fora.

These highly subsidised, accredited programmes are aimed at hotel employees who are currently performing a team leader or frontline management role or are new to a supervisory role. They aim to equip employees in the sector with enhanced skills to lead and manage their teams effectively. Benefits for employers include customised training to equip staff to lead teams effectively, increase staff motivation and retention and customised content to address skills gaps. Benefits for employees include enhancing skillsets, leading teams effectively, managing and motivating teams, developing digital skills and optimising career prospects. These programmes will be delivered in a flexible manner to suit both the business and the employee both online with tutor support and when feasible, a blend of online and in-person training is available.

For more information, contact your local Education and Training Board or visit www.skillstoadvance.ie

ANGIE’S OPENS AT ROLY’S

Angie’s Wine & Cocktail Bar has opened at Roly’s Bistro. Named after Roly’s founder John O’Sullivan’s wife Angela, Angie’s will serve a wide selection of well-priced cocktails along with dishes from the Roly’s Terrace menu. Customers can also purchase speciality and more expensive wines by the glass with new ‘by the glass’ technology that keeps opened bottles under a protected atmosphere as if the bottle had been newly opened.

Press Up Expands Into Belfast

Plans have been submitted for a 91 bedroom boutique hotel to Belfast City Council by Press Up Hospitality Group. Jessica Carlyle-Clarke, Head of Business Development & New Opportunities UK, said: “We are delighted to move forward with plans to bring The Dean to Belfast – a capital city that is as vibrant and fresh as the brand itself. We are all about celebrating iconic cities, creating beautiful spaces within them that complement old and new. This site is one of cultural significance, right next to Ulster Hall, a venue that speaks to Belfast’s built heritage. This is an exciting time for the Group as it looks to develop its footprint across the UK and Ireland.” In August 2022, Press Up Hospitality Group was granted planning permission for The Dean, Birmingham, the first location for the brand outside of Ireland.