Teens mean business
THE region’s top young business minds were celebrated in Waterford recently at a Junior Cert Award Ceremony hosted by WIT and the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland.
Students from Loreto Wexford, Presentation College, Enniscorthy Vocational College, Our Lady of Lourdes New Ross and St Mary’s New Ross were given awards for receiving an A grade in Junior Certificate Higher level Business Studies this year. The Chairperson of BSTAI Pat Younger and Registrar of WIT Dr. Derek O’ Byrne presented students with a certificate of achievement while their business teachers received recognition plaques. They were some of 260 students from 46 schools in the region to be given awards for their top marks. CASTLEBRIDGE guesthouse Maple Lodge has once again won the affection of its guests as it has been placed first in the four star hospitality category on hotel site Trivago.
Run by Philippines native and trained nurse Yolanda Hughes, the bed and breakfast has proved extremely popular since it was set up in its current form three years ago. However, according to Yolanda’s husband Danny, running their home as a bed and breakfast was not their original plan.
‘I never wanted to run a b and b. We bought the place as a house and it happened to be a b and b before. I wanted to take down the sign but Yolanda suggested that she keep the business going,’ he said.
Three years later, the business is a great success and according to Yolanda, the formula is simple.
‘I just love people and love meeting with them and having a chat. For me, it’s just normal. I never act. I enjoy doing everything I can for guests,’ she said.
‘Every time they come, I treat them like family rather than guests. They keep coming back and many of them have become my friends.’