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Visitors to Ireland will soon be able to book any tour, event, and attraction they wish directly online in a revamp of the Tourist Information Office network.

Fáilte Ireland has recently tendered for an online ticketing/booking system, selling, but not limited to, real-time tickets for licenced bus tours, walking tours, rail tours, licenced boat trips, events, and attractions.

 The project is to enable its Tourist Information Offices network nationwide facilitate walk-in visitor bookings.

Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD, yesterday re-launched an industry-led 

National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme that will provide young aspiring chefs across Ireland with a two–year formal education and training programme to begin their careers as professional chefs. 

Two years in the planning, the programme was launched last year but initial uptake has been disappointing.

 

Picture shows from left Tim Fenn, CEO, IHF and Chair, Consortium Steering Group; Agnieszka Niedzielak, Commis chef apprentice from Jury's Christchurch; Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills; and Pat O'Doherty, Chair, Apprenticeship Council and CEO ESB; at the launch of the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme. Pic: Naoise Culhane

The programme, the only one of its kind in the country, is supported by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI), Euro-toques Ireland, Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI), Fáilte Ireland, SOLAS, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Institutes of Technology (IOTs). Over 110 of the original 130 places are available and all those who have a keen interest in and a creative flair for cooking are encouraged to apply. The scheme is available to young people aged over 16 years, existing kitchen staff and anyone else who wishes to gain an internationally recognised qualification. 

 

Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD, said,

Killarney's five-star Europe Hotel and Resort has announced plans to invest €3 million in the 

construction of 40 new bedrooms for staff.

The hotel's operating group, Killarney Hotels, intends to build four accommodation blocks for staff, each of which will contain 10 bedrooms and living quarters, with access to a gym and laundry facilities.

 

Commenting on the new accommodation plans, Killarney Hotels director Michael Brennan said, "With shortage of rental accommodation on offer in Killarney, we realise the difficulty that this causes to our employees from outside of the region."

 

Lough Eske Castle in Donegal has celebrated it 10th anniversary. It is the only five-star hotel in

 the County abd  has a history that dates back to the 1400’s with an 1860’s Jacobean front. 

It was run as a hotel for nine years until a fire in 1939 which destroyed the majority of the castle

’s wooden interior structure.  Sixty years and a €40million investment later, the hotel was refurbished to its current as well as adding the 6000ft sq.  Spa Solis, Cedars Restaurant and a 4000ft sq. ballroom.  Despite opening at the beginning of the financial downturn, Lough Eske Castle has seen revenues double, currently operating at €9m. Occupancy has also continued to rise and has grown by 38% since 2007 as well as the average room rate growing by 43% with international guest stays increasing by 15%.