The Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) has announced the appointment of Daragh O'Neill FIHI as the 30th president of the organisation.
Details
O'Neill is the general manager of The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan (formerly Stillorgan Park Hotel). After graduating from Hotel & Catering Management at the Dublin College of Catering (TU Dublin & Trinity College Dublin), he travelled to the USA and gained eight years' experience with Medallion Hotels in Texas, where he assumed his first general manager position. He returned to Ireland in 1998 to take up the position of general manager of The Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick. In 2008, he returned to Dublin to assume his current post.
O'Neill is passionate about the investment in people working in the hospitality industry. He firmly believes in providing his team with the necessary training and skills required for their overall success within the industry. In 2023, the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan has been recognized as a "Great Place to Work", and it has also received the Fáilte Ireland Employer Excellence award. O'Neill's team at the Talbot Hotel has also been previously recognised by the AA of Ireland when it was awarded the annual Courtesy and Care Award.
With over three decades of experience in the hospitality sector, O'Neill has actively participated in various industry and community organisations. While in the USA, he was a board member of United Way and participated in the High School Junior Achievement mentor programme. On home turf, while living in the Shannon Region, he was chairman of the Shannon Branch of the IHF and a member of the IHF national council. In 2015/16, O'Neill was the Dublin president of SKAL International Ireland & has sat on the tourism strategic review committee for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce.
A fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute, O'Neill was appointed as a director to the IHI board in May 2019 and was elected deputy president in 2021.
Statements
O'Neill said, "Having been a member of the Institute for many years before becoming a board member in 2019, it is a great honor and privilege to be elected as the 30th president of the Irish Hospitality Institute."
O'Neill added, "During a time of transition for the IHI and the Hospitality industry post pandemic, I really look forward to working with you all. Now more than ever hospitality needs a professional institute to enhance the reputation of our industry as it strives to attract new people at all levels. As an institute, we must look at new and innovative ways of building membership, member engagement and professional development & support for our members."
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