CIÉ Tours, the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland every year, held its annual awards of excellence celebrating Irish hoteliers and tourist experience operators who have been singled out by the 30,000 visitors who came to Ireland with CIÉ Tours in 2024. Four Cork tourism businesses were recognised at CIE Tours Awards of Excellence.
Now in their 33rd year, the prestigious accolades are awarded based on post-stay feedback received by CIÉ Tours from their customers. Each of the CIE Tours’ partners who qualified for an award, delivered an exceptional quality experience and welcome to visitors, achieving a customer satisfaction rating of over 92%.
Fourteen overall award winners were announced, receiving the Gold Award for achieving the highest customer rating in their category, while Merit Awards were also presented to 68 hotels and tourist attractions who achieved a customer rating of 92% or higher.
The River Lee Hotel and Kinsale Hotel & Spa received a merit award in the hotel category, while Midleton Distillery Experience and Blarney Castle were recipients of a merit award in the visitor experience category.
Best 5 star hotel went to Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare; Best 4 star hotel was awarded to Cabra Castle, Co. Cavan, while Best 3 star hotel award went to Dooley's Hotel, Co. Waterford. Other major winners included The Dunraven Adare, Co. Limerick for Best Hotel Service & Hospitality; Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, Adare, Co. Limerick awarded for Special Dinner Feature; and the Marine Bar, Co. Waterford for Best Tour Feature.
The awards were presented by Chairman of CIÉ Tours, Aidan Murphy and Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours.
