Clean sweep for Ashford Castle in accommodation awards

ASHFORD Castle is celebrating having picked up three major accolades at the Irish Accommodation Service Institute (IASI) awards.

The IASI Gold Award for exceptional standards in five-star was presented to Ashford Castle’s accommodation team, which also secured the runners-up Supreme Award.

Executive accommodation manager, Mary Flannery, who has worked at Ashford Castle for more than 17 years, was recognised for her commitment to the industry, and was accorded the prestigious President’s Award by the IASI at the association’s annual gala awards ceremony.

Niall Rochford, general manager of Ashford Castle, said: “These awards are very special to us as they recognise the tireless work that goes on behind the scenes at Ashford Castle that help to make it such a special place. Without our accommodation teams, who are the unsung heroes of our industry, we would not be able to achieve the consistently high standards that our guests have come to expect when they stay with us.

“I’m particularly thrilled for Mary, who leads the team, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of the President’s Award.”

Said Mary Flannery: “Receiving this award is a huge honour, and a huge surprise. To be recognised by my industry peers for doing a job that I love is such a privilege. But I must also pay tribute to the fantastic team behind me that help to make every day at Ashford Castle a real pleasure.”