Local Business Woman honoured at Fáilte Ireland Employer Excellence Awards

Ireland’s leading tourism businesses have been recognised at the Fáilte Ireland Employer Excellence Awards 2026, which took place at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin recently.

Crosshaven businesswoman Dee Munnelly and Orso Kitchen & Bar in Cork City were big winners at the event, winning the Best Employer: Food and Drink  category. The awards celebrate businesses who are setting the standard for employee engagement and workplace culture through their participation in Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme.  Since its launch in 2022, the programme has supported over 300 businesses and positively influenced more than 30,000 employees nationwide, helping to strengthen employee engagement, improve retention and enhance workplace practices. This is the fourth year of the ceremony.   

Pictured Caroline Bocquel, CEO, Fáilte Ireland, presenting the Best Employer – Food & Drink Award to Dee Munnelly, Orso Kitchen & Bar, Co. Cork.

Speaking at the awards, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:   “The tourism sector is powered by its people, and the Employer Excellence Programme is playing a critical role in ensuring our people are supported, valued and given the opportunity to thrive. The progress we are seeing across the sector, from improved employee engagement to stronger workplace practices, is very encouraging. These awards recognise businesses that are leading the way, and I congratulate this year’s winners for their commitment to building a more sustainable and attractive tourism workforce and protecting and promoting our Céad Míle Fáilte.”  

Caroline Bocquel, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland said:   “Tourism is, at its core, a people industry, and the quality of our visitor experience is directly shaped by the people who deliver it. The Employer Excellence Awards recognise those businesses that are placing their people at the centre of their success. The results we are seeing across the programme are clear evidence that a sustained focus on employee engagement, leadership and workplace culture is delivering real benefits, not only for employees, but for business performance and the wider tourism sector.

It is particularly encouraging to see the strong re-engagement from businesses and the continued uplift in results across all levels of organisations.”    For more information about Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme visit: https://www.failteireland.ie/employerexcellence.aspx