Sonia named overall Employee of the Year 2022

| By Michelle Crean

There was great excitement on Monday as to who the main winner would be at the annual Irish Hotels Federation, Kerry Branch, Employee of the Year award lunch.

Over 60 guests, with nominees from 16 different hotels, attended the event in The Brehon Hotel. It was hosted by Conor Hennigan and attended by Mary Rose Stafford from MTU Tralee and Michael Magner - Vice President of Irish Hotels Federation.

Emer Corridan, Secretary of the Kerry Branch, described the nominees as the "best of best that Kerry has to offer".

"Each candidate was nominated by their hotel for their outstanding commitment and contribution to the overall success of the hotel and independently interviewed by two judges, Mary Rose Stafford from MTU Tralee and Michael Vaughan from Vaughan Lodge in Clare. They had an exceptionally difficult task and were blown away by the positive attitude, the levels of guest care, the team spirit and the length of service to the hospitality industry, which ranged from two to 40 years." After a long deliberation the winner was

HAPPY: Sonia Smith was chosen as the Kerry Hotels 'Employee of The Year' on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle Sonia Smith (third from left front row), who works as a receptionist in The Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, was chosen as the Kerry Hotels ‘Employee of The Year’ at an Irish Hotels Federation special function in Killarney on Monday. Pictured receiving her award from Emer Corridan (Secretary of the Kerry Branch, IHF). Also included in the front, from left: Mary Rose Stafford (MTU, judge), Chloe Kelliher (Ballygarry Estate, Hotel and Spa), Anne Marie Collins (International Hotel), Agnieszka Manda (Killarney Plaza Hotel), Deirdre Moran (Butler Arms Hotel) and Conor Hennigan (Hennigan announced as Sonia Smith from Cahernane House Hotel as the overall Employee of the Year 2022.

"Sonia started in 2018 in the accommodation department after completing her Leaving Certificate. She quickly showed her aptitude and ability and moved to reception in 2019 and was promoted to reception supervisor in 2022. She is an amazing leader and team player and loves going above and beyond to create amazing memories for the Cahernane guests."

There were two further awards for 'Service to the Irish Hotel Industry on Behalf of the Irish Hotels Federation', these were awarded to Kevin O'Shea from the Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Anne Marie Collins from The International Hotel.