Newsletter for members of Skål International - Dublin

SKÅL NEWSNewsletter for members of Skål International - Dublin - Club No. 37 December 2009‘Green Army’ in BudapestThe Green Army at the Skål World Congress in BudapestTwelve members of Skål International Dublinwere part of a ‘Green Army’ of Irish Skålleagueswho made a major impact at the World Congressin Budapest during the first week of November.They joined a delegation of more than 40 from Irelandwho were kitted out in bright green rugby shirts with‘lucky leprechauns’ on their sleeves.The large, visible and ‘musical’ presence was all part of abid by Kerry to attract the Skål International WorldCongress to Killarney in 2012. National PresidentGeraldine Rosney made a presentation at the Congresssupported by former World President Mary Bennett andDublin Skålleagues helped distribute literature and giftsto all delegates during the Plenary Session.The key vote on Ireland’s bid will take place during theWorld Congress in Sydney, Australia next October andevery effort will be made to enlist a large and effective‘Green Army’ for this Congress. The 2011 Congress willtake place in Turku Finland which was a surprise winnerin its bid against Dubai.When the Budapest Congress concluded the only bid for2012 was from Kerry but other cities have until Januarynext to submit formal bids. It is believed that Seoul inSouth Korea is planning a bid and Dubai may also comeback into the running. As a result a continuous andeffective campaign will be needed if Kerry is to win the2012 World Congress which is likely to attract at least1,000 delegates to ‘The Kingdom’, many of whom willalso take pre and post Congress tours.Despite the economic downturn more than 1,000Skålleagues attended the Budapest Congress which wasorganised by our twin club, Skål International Budapest.Club president George Paldi played a leading role in theorganisation of the week-long congress which receivedhigh praise from participants for its professionalism,efficiency and creativity.From the opening reception in the massive Old Market tothe Farewell Dinner in Lazar Equestrian Park, theCongress provided an opportunity for Skålleagues fromall over the world to network. The programme providedmany opportunities to explore the historic city ofBudapest and to sample its culture and heritage.Skålleagues had a panoramic view of the many elegantfloodlit palaces and civic buildings during an eveningdinner cruise on the Danube and we travelled in a 100year old train to the Railway History Park for the GalaDinner.For Dublin Skålleagues it was an opportunity to renewfriendships with members of our twin club of SkålInternational Budapest and for President KathrynJohnston to make a special presentation to George Paldi.We also provided several prominent members of the IrishSkål Choir which delivered enthusiastic renditions of‘Molly Malone’, ‘The Wild Rover’ and ‘The Fields ofAthenry’ during the Farewell Dinner. Auditions for theSydney choir will be held shortly.1

Joe Meets President ObamaJoe Collins our Hon. Treasurer and his wife Patricia werephotographed with the U.S. President Barack Obama atCaesar’s Palace, Las Vegas in May. Joe and his wife Patricia,were guests of their daughter Therese and her husbandByron Georgiou who is active with the Democratic Party inNevada.The occasion was a fundraiser on behalf of U.S. SenateMajority Leader Harry Reid as he kicked off his 2010 reelectioncampaign.It was the first fundraiser at which the president waspresent since taking office in January. In excess of$2,000,000 was pledged on the night, a record for the stateof Nevada at a political fundraiser.In the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. there are 100Senators, two from each state and on election they serve asix year term on completion of which they must stand forre-election. Even though Senator Reid, as Majority Leader, isthe most powerful member of the Senate, he must raise upto $20,000,000 to fund his re-election campaign.The House of Representatives in Washington D.C. has 435elected members (known as Congressmen/Women)representing all 50 states. Each serves a two-year term afterwhich they must again stand for election. As in the case ofSenators, there is no limit to the number of terms they mayserve, provided they are re-elected. The number per state isbased on population with a minimum of one per state.California with 53 has the largest number while sparselypopulated states such as Alaska, Delaware, Montana, NorthDakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Vermont each haveone.Joe had a four minute conversation with the Presidentduring which they discussed his Irish roots and thepossibility of visit by the President to Ireland andparticularly to Moneygall at some future date.Nik Heads Skål InternationalNik Racic from Croatia was electedWorld President of Skål International atthe Budapest Congress. He heads a newExecutive committee which includes,Tony Boyle (Australia) Vice President,responsible for Development, EnriqueQuesada (Mexico) Vice President,responsible for Finance, Lone Ricks (Denmark), Director -Special Projects, Karine Coulanges (France) Director -Communications and Public Relations, Mok Singh (U.S.A.)Director- Statutes with responsibility for the repositioningof Skål International, Marianne Krohn (Germany) Director -Business Affairs, Bent Hadler (Denmark) President of theInternational Skål Council and Jim Power (Ireland)-Secretary GeneralDuring the Gala Dinner, President-elect, Nik Racic promisedto work for all members in order to make Skål even moreprofessional and to become the most important andsignificant international business and friendship club in thetourism industry.Cork BeckonsSkålleagues will be gathering in Cork on 27th and 28thMarch for the 2010 National Convention. A new format hasbeen introduced which enables Skålleagues to attend onone or two days. The two-day programme which costs €189pps includes two nights bed and breakfast at theRochestown Park four star hotel, a ‘Taste of Cork’ tour, GalaDinner and an additional optional golf trip. The One Dayprogramme costing €145 pps offers the same programmewith one night bed and breakfast. There is a singlesupplement of €25 per night and delegates can stay an extranight in their hotel for €40 pps.Booking forms and further information are available fromNora Cronin, president Skål International Cork at:Tel: 021 - 430 9090 or cork@croninscoaches.com.PRESIDENT REMEMBERS IRELANDOutgoing President of Skål International Hulya Aslantasrecalled her visit to the Skål Ireland Congress at Shannonduring her address to the Budapest Congress. Shecomplemented Irish Skålleagues for their continuing goodwork and thanked her hosts Shannon Skål Club and IanDodson for their hospitality. A report on her visit to Irelandand other travels around the world are included in a bookwhich has been published by Skål International.Democrat Senator Harry Reid from Nevada, Senate Majority Leader,Patricia Collins, U.S. President Barack Obama, and Joe Collins pictured at the USSenate Fund Raiser.Skål GrowsDuring the Gala Dinner held during the 70th Skål WorldCongress, 103 Clubs were presented with certificates forincreases in their membership of at least 10% in the period fromOctober 2008 to September 2009. The top three Clubs with thehighest net growth were Bali (58 new members), Singapore (38)and Rio de Janeiro (28).2Pictured opposite:Edward Stephenson,general managerCroke Park Hotel,Linda McCoy andAngela Canny, GAA andChris Kane at therecent Skål lunch in theHotel.

CELEBRATING ‘ARTHUR’S DAY’Aidan O’Hanlon (who was returning to his ‘alma mater’), at the GuinnessStorehouse with Aidan Doyle, Linda McFadden of The Firm, Chris Kane andSam Wilson.It may not have been his actual birthday, but DublinSkålleagues nevertheless raised a glass of the black stuff tothe one and only Arthur Guinness when they gathered at thefamous Storehouse for the November lunch.‘Team Budapest’ made a remarkable recovery, having arrivedback in Dublin only 48 hours previously and were ready tojoin their colleagues and guests in some serious networkingover a splendid lunch.President Kathryn Johnston was delighted to welcome AnnaMaria Lorang from the Skål Club of Philadelphia, who wasvisiting Ireland with her husband.During the lunch President Kathryn also welcomed newmembers John Carty of DIT Cathal Brugha Street andMichelle Conaghan of Net Affinity.A special thanks was extended to Paul Carty generalmanager of the Guinness Storehouse and event managerHelen McManus who looked after us splendidly on the day.Following the lunch Skålleagues repaired to the Gravity Barand as a tribute to Uncle Arthur were still ‘in situ’ there at17.59.Awards for TopHospitality ManagersFive leading hospitalityindustry managers werehonoured by their peers atthe IHI Founders Banquet.Charlie Sheil, generalmanager of the ClarionHotel Cork was named‘Hospitality Manager of theYear - Hotels’, Joe Kenny ofCharlie Sheil, winner of theHospitality Hotel Manager of theYear award with Linda McFaddenof The Firm at the IHI Founder’sDinner.Aramark is ‘Hospitality Manager of the Year -Catering’ and Maeve Kelleher of the Clarion HotelCork is ‘Hospitality Manager of the Year - HumanResources.’ The inaugural award of ‘HospitalityManager of the Year - Environmental’ went toDympna McGlinchy of The Westin, Dublin and the‘Young Hospitality Manager of the Year’ is Aidan Ryanof the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire. NiallFitzmaurice of DIT was named ‘Hospitality Graduateof the Year.’Skål HistoryA book recounting the history of Skål International waslaunched during the 75th. Anniversary celebrations in Paris.Author and Honorary President Antonio García del Valle,provided numerous historical records going back to thefoundation of Skål in 1932, two years before it became aninternational association.The book was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism of theRepublic of Turkey. The Skål Story is now available for salefrom the General Secretariat at €25 plus postage and packing.Twenty per cent of the sale price will go to the FlorimondVolckaert Fund. Please send us an e-mail if you are interestedto skål@skål.orgTIME TO PAYMembers should note that our Honorary Treasurer JoeCollins has now prepared invoices for membership fees forthe coming year and these will be posted in the near future.Because of a change in Skål operations payment of fees mustbe made to the head office in Torremolinos earlier than in thepast and members are therefore requested to return theircheques on receipt of the invoice.Christmas Lunch and RaffleAs this issue of ‘Skål News’ goes to press we are countingdown the days to our annual Christmas Lunch at Fitzpatrick’sKilliney Castle Hotel. Once again we thank Eithne Scott-Lennon and general manager Nicky Logue for hosting thishighly popular Skål event. We will be holding the usual rafflein aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society during the lunch andwe thank those who donated prizes. Angela Dillon says thatshe is very heartened by the generous response to herrequest for raffle prizes, given the current economicenvironment. We will acknowledge all prize donors in thenext issue of ‘Skål News.’ Please support this good causewith your customary generosity.Denis is Top Golf ManagerDenis Kane was named ‘Golf Manager of 2009’ at the annualIrish Golf Awards.Denis, who is general manager of Druids Glen, has been astrong supporter of Skål over many years.The ‘Large Golf Hotel’ award went to Randles HotelsKillarney and the ‘Small Golf Hotel’ award was won by The IceHouse Ballina, Co. Mayo. The Old Head of Kinsale was named‘Golf Course of the Year’ and Adare Manor won the ‘GolfResort of the Year’ title.The event is run each year by the Ireland Golf TourOperator’s Association (IGTOA) and a host venue, which thisyear was Carton House. The IGTOA has over 15 Irish basedgolf tour operator members and over 250 IGTOA IndustryPartners.3

‘Irish Celebrate in Style atSam Wilson, Douglas Jordan and Dermot Cronin in ‘uniform’ at the World Congress.Mike and Kathryn Johnston, Douglas Jordan, MarleneSullivan, Aidan Doyle and Dermot Cronin in Budapest.4Presidents Geraldine Rosney and Kathryn Johnston at the Gala Banquet inBudapest.Una Wilson with former Skål WorldPresident Mary Bennett.

Budapest World Congress’Irish and South African Skålleagues take time out to discuss rugby in Budapest.Douglas Jordan and Aidan Doyle enjoy a pint inBudapest.Kathryn Johnston, president of Skål International Dublin makesa presentation on behalf of members to George Paldi,president of our twin club, Skål International Budapest.‘Ireland is that way’…. Frank Corr givesdirections to a friend.Dermot and Bernadette Quinn with Mary Bennett, former World President ofSkål International.5

Geraldine Rosney, national president, Skål International with ConorHennigan, president, Skål International Kerry, Kathryn Johnston, president,Skål International Dublin and Aidan Doyle at the Kerry Skål Dinner inKilleen House Hotel, Killarney.Celebrating with ‘The Kingdom’A group from Skål International Dublin joined theircolleagues from Kerry at a dinner in Killeen House Hotelhosted by national president Geraldine Rosney. On arrival atKillarney station the group were welcomed withChampagne and canapés in the Malton Hotel by generalmanager Conor Hennigan before proceeding to KilleenHouse.It was not all relaxation, however, for the Dublin Brigadewere put to work by President Geraldine who had themserve the starter to the other guests. Members of the Kerryclub reciprocated by serving the dessert.President Kathryn Johnston thanked the Kerry Club fortheir hospitality and said that we look forward to thempaying a visit to Dublin.MEMBERSHIP DRIVEFollowing a request from national membershipdevelopment officer Angela Dillon, members of SkålInternational in Ireland received a personal letterfrom the secretary general Jim Power, inviting themto recruit at least one new member during thecurrent year. ‘We have had an excellent response tothis initiative’, says Angela. ‘Members of the DublinClub and Skålleagues from all over the country areworking very hard to identify and contact potentialnew members. I have sent each Club Secretary a listof the categories which qualify somebody for Skålmembership and this is proving to be very useful inidentifying potential members. Our Dublin club haswelcomed 14 new members in 2009 which is aremarkable achievement – and there are fourapplications being processed at the moment’, shesaid.6New members of Skål International Dublin - John Ronayne, MarleneSullivan, Brenda Daly and Jim Flannery.Welcome to New MembersA big Skål welcome to the following who became membersof Skål International Dublin in 2009Geraldine Aherne, Malev Hungarian Airlines.John Carty, Tourism Research Centre, D.I.T.Michelle Conaghan, Business Development Manager,Net AffinityAlex Connolly, Head of Communications, Fáilte IrelandBrenda Daly, Marketing Manager, Dublin PortEdward Finn, Product Development Manager, Abbey TravelJim Flannery, U.N.W.T.O.Natasha Kinsella, Chief Executive, I.H.I.Fergal O’Connell, General Manager, Fitzwilliam HotelJohn Ronayne, Ronayne Tourism ConsultancyEdward Stephenson, General Manager, Jury's Croke ParkHotelMarlene Sullivan, Tour Director/ManagerFiona Teehan, General Manager, Pembroke TownhousePeter Wilson, General Manager, Whites of WexfordPat Delaney, Ovation Global DMCPaul Gallagher, General Manager, Buswells Hotel.The Skål ToastWe join in the Skål Toast almost every time we meet- but do you know what SKÅL means?The word ‘Skål’ has its origin in Scandinavia andwas used to greet strangers as they entered a house,when they would be presented with a bowlcontaining a welcoming drink.‘S’ is for ‘Sundheit’ (meaning ‘Good Health’)‘K’ is for ‘Kariek’ (meaning ‘Friendship’)‘A’ is for ‘Aruger’ (meaning ‘Long Life’ )‘L’ is for ‘Lycka’ (meaning ‘Happiness’).

John Honoured for Lifetime AchievementJohn D. Toner FIHI from Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, wasthe recipient of the highest honour bestowed by the IrishHospitality Institute when he was presented with a LifetimeAchievement Award at the IHI Founders Banquet bypresident Shane Cookman.John became the Director and General Manager of theEuropa Hotel just after a bomb attack in 1993, which causedmajor destruction to Glengall Street. Within three years,President Clinton’s entourage booked 110 rooms, inNovember 1995 after major redevelopment. He has workedwith Hastings Hotels for 37 years and is currently directorand general manager of the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle,Co. Down. John (61) is a former president of IHI. He ismarried to Cathy and they have five grown up children.Six members of IHI were inducted into the College ofFellows during the banquet. They are Dr. Seán Duffy FIHI,Head of School of Tourism, Letterkenny Institute ofTechnology, Therese Sadlier FIHI, Catering Manager, AIBBank Centre, Michael Brennan FIHI, General ManagerEurope Hotel Killarney Deirdre McGlone FIHI, GeneralManager Harveys Point Country Hotel, Matthias MullerFIHI, General Manager Abbey Court Hotel and AdriaanBartels FIHI, General Manager, Cliff House Hotel.Paul to head IHFSkålleague Paul Gallagher, general manager of Buswell’sHotel, Dublin, has been named as President-elect of the IrishHotels Federation and is likely to succeed current presidentMatthew Ryan at the forthcoming agm.Shane Calls for Skillnet FundingSkålleague Shane Cookman, who is the current President ofthe Irish Hospitality Institute said that most Irish hospitalitybusinesses have reacted to the current economic crisis withcreativity and innovation. Speaking at the IHI Founder’sBanquet, he said: ‘Such businesses do however requiresupport and assistance from Government and it is vital atthis time that the cause of tourism and the wider hospitalityindustry is articulated strongly at the Cabinet Table’. He saidthat a combination of a decline in visitor numbers, thecontraction of discretionary spending among Irishconsumers, credit and financing difficulties and economicupheavals in many of key tourism markets have created the‘perfect storm’ in which the Irish hospitality industry nowbattles for survival. ‘Inevitably it has resulted in casualties, infailed businesses, in job losses and in severe cash flowproblems. Despite all of these adverse trends, however, ourindustry has survived, with thousands of businessesresponding creatively to the many challenges, which theyface. They have managed to retain their markets, theircustomers and most of their staff and are operating moreefficient operations, which are well placed to thrive once theeconomy and tourism begin to recover’, he said.Denis O'Reilly, Wild Wicklow Tours, Bill Morrison and Jim Deegan,Railtours Ireland at a recent Skål lunch.A YEAR TO REMEMBERSkål International Dublin has enjoyed a highly successful yearwith large attendances at all of our events. We wouldparticularly like to thank our hosts during 2009 who wereThe Fitzwilliam Hotel, The Shelbourne Hotel, The AbbeyTavern, Howth, The Dylan Hotel, the National Yacht Club,the SAS Radisson St. Helen’s Hotel which was the venue forour Summer barbecue, Ashbourne Golf Club which hostedour Golf Day, the Conrad Hotel, the Croke Park Hotel theGuinness Storehouse and Fitzpatrick’s Killiney Castle Hotel.Fitzwilliam starts 2010Skålleagues can get 2010 off to a great start by attending theSkål Dublin lunch in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, St. Stephen’sGreen on Tuesday 9th February. Please put the date in yournew diary.President Kathryn Johnston and Anna Maria Lorang from SkålInternational Philadelphia exchange pennants at the Skål lunch in theGuinness Storehouse.7

The Good News Column...Leisure Park to Employ 1,200Up to six million visitors a year are expected to visit a €430million tourism and leisure park that includes a year-roundskiing facility and concert arena being proposed for Dundalk.The project, the first of its kind in Ireland, is being proposed fora site adjacent to the Dublin-Belfast motorway by InnovativeLeisure Systems Ltd, who say it will create more than 1,200full-time jobs.Looking around the CornerFáilte Ireland CEO, Shaun Quinn, stressed that as Irelandgrapples with the enormity of the current economic climateand plots its way to becoming a smarter economy, it isimperative that it does not neglect sectors such as tourismwhich have delivered time and time again.Mr Quinn was speaking at Fáilte Ireland’s National TourismConference which was held at the Royal Hospital inKilmainham. He pointed out that there may be some reasonsto be optimistic, saying:‘Thankfully, the news from the tourism marketplace is nowslightly more positive than a few months ago. So far this year,Fáilte Ireland has hosted over 500 international trade buyersfrom 23 countries to tie down business with Irish tourismoperators for next year and beyond.From these meetings we can detect that interest is Ireland is asstrong as ever, our competitive position is improving and thereare definitely signs of those elusive green shoots, particularly inNorth America. This is welcome news for the 18,000 tourismbusinesses across Ireland and the 200,000 plus people theycollectively employ.’Damian for World Sommelier TestChile is the destination for Damian Corr, manager of the CellarRestaurant and Bar in the Merrion Hotel.Damian took part in the National Sommelier competition,organised by the Irish Guild of Sommeliers to select the Irishcandidate at the World Sommelier Competition in Chile in2010. Six sommeliers competed in a day long event which tookplace at the Four Seasons Hotel.Major Leisure Centre for TipperaryPlanning permission is being sought for a €460 millioncultural, sporting and leisure development featuring a casinoand new all-weather racecourse on an 800 acres site at TwoMile Borris, Co. Tipperary.The development, called the Tipperary Venue is proposed byThurles-born Richard Quirke, who has been involved in theCarlton Cinema site on O’Connell Street Dublin. He is alsoa major shareholder in Dublin Pool and Juke Box Co, whichruns the ‘Dr Quirkey’s Good Time Emporium’ arcade onO’Connell Street.The developer estimates that 1,000 jobs would be createdin building the facility, which would eventually create 2,000full-time jobs. The project would however depend onlegislation being passed to legalise casinos.Dublin architect Brian O’Connell, who designed theTipperary Venue, said it would include a 500-bedroom, fivestarhotel; a 6,000sq m casino; an all-weather racecourse; agreyhound track and a golf course.It would also include an underground entertainment centrewith a retractable roof capable of holding 15,000 peoplewhich would be ‘the rural equivalent of Dublin’s 02complex’.Viking Wall DisplayAn underground section of Dublin’s 900-year-old HibernoViking city wall has been put on public display for the firsttime at the Civic Offices at Wood Quay.The wall was discovered during excavations of the site inthe late 1970s and early 1980s in preparation for theconstruction of the new Dublin Corporation, now DublinCity Council, buildings.The wall was at the time earmarked for demolition andstorage off site, but in the end it was left in situ in thebuilding’s basement in an area used until recently formotorbike and bicycle storage.Measuring just under 20 metres in length and 4.3 metres inheight, the section of wall is now visible through a glassviewing platform, with each stone bearing the identifyingnumber painted on when it had been due for demolition.The wall is part of the new Wood Quay Venue at the civicoffices which houses a conference and events space and anew permanent exhibition on the development of the city.The My City exhibition, which opened last week, allows thepublic to view plans for the city through videos andinteractive touch-screen maps. They can also record theirideas for the city or their views on plans via a web cam.Michelle Conaghan of Net Affinity and John Carty of DIT receive theirmembership certificates from President Kathryn Johnson at the Skål lunchin the Guinness Storehouse.8“To fellow Skålleagues everywhere Happiness,Good Health, Long Life, Friendship”Skål News is an e-zine for members of Skål International Dublin. Editor: Frank Corr. Photography: Aidan R. Doyle. Design: Desktop Print and Design.