Mícheál fêted by Hotel Federation

LEGENDARY GAA commentator Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh has been named as the recipient of the Irish Hotels Federation’s (IHF) 2020 President’s Award.

The annual award is bestowed on an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to tourism and Ireland.

A special presentation was made to Mr O’Muircheartaigh at a Gala Dinner celebration in the Galmont Hotel, Galway, following the IHF’s 82nd annual conference last week. The recipient of the inaugural IHF

President’s award in 2013 was Dr Martin Naughton, followed by Dr Tom Kavanagh; former President Mary McAleese; Paul Carty; Anna Mae McHugh; Donie Cassidy and by JP McManus in 2019.

Congratulating Mr O’Muircheartaigh, the Irish Hotels Federation’s outgoing President, Michael Lennon, said his work as a commentator was unparalleled.

“Nobody else could elevate the spectacle of a damp league match in February to the heights of ancient Fenian battles on Ventry Strand or

Moytura. His was the voice that helped to link many Irish at home and abroad with their origins, a new Ireland, proud of who we are and where we came from,” said Mr Lennon.

“Mícheál tells us that there is poetry in everyday language and in everyday events. This resonates with many success stories in our industry, where language is an intrinsic part of communicating the emotions and experiences that Ireland offers as a tourism destination,” Mr Lennon added.

Photo by Don MacMonagle Mícheal O’Muircheartaigh, former RTÉ GAA commentator, with a painting of West Kerry he received from the IHF in honour of his lifetime contribution to tourism at the annual IHF conference in Galway.