Newsletter - Skål International

SKÅL NEWS
Newsletter for members of Skål International - Dublin - Club No. 37
December 2014
A WELCOME FROM OUR President Margaret Cronin.
2014 has seen a strong growth in Tourism and Dublin has experienced a 9% increase on
visitor numbers so Dublin is buzzing for all the right reasons. With expected increases
in visitor numbers, and revenue, business is looking encouraging going in to 2015.
As 2014 comes to a close I would like to extend Seasonal Greetings to you all and enjoy
the festive season with your family and friends and look forward to health and
prosperity in 2015.
This time last year we were in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel and were delightfully hosted by Eithne and her
team to a mulled wine reception and sumptuous meal. We were welcomed to the hotel by a piper who
also led the chef’s parade.
Angela Dillon organised a great array of prizes for the raffle which raised almost €2000 for St. Vincent
de Paul.
Christmas 2013
olet Williams,
on, Joe Dillon, Vi
ill
D
la
ge
An
,
Myles Cronan.
Carole Cronan
Ron Charles and
Delighted to se
e that Hilary M
urphy came alon
Fitzpatricks C
g to
astle
Eithne Fitzpatrick, Tom Rei
d & Denis Kane
is McCormack
ronin and Chr
– Page 1 –
Tom Dwye
Margaret C
r, Joe Collins,
February Lunch
We returned to the Fitzwilliam Hotel for a super lunch hosted by Skål Member Fergal O’Connell.
Sam Wilson, Con Horgan and
ermot Quinn with
Carmel Linnnane
Bernadette and D
Denis Kane and
Paul O’Toole
onnell
ith Fergal O’C
March – Lunch and AGM
We had a lovely lunch in The Conrad Hotel which was hosted by General Manager Martin Mangan
Margaret Cronin took over from Denis Kane as president and the following council was elected:
Angela Dillon, Joe Collins, Aidan Doyle, Douglas Jordan (International Councillor), Michael Byrne,
Daragh O’Neill, Sam Wilson, Kathryn Johnston, Denis Kane.
Douglas Jordan
Denis Kane w
national Award
enis with Skål Inter
gD
Douglas presentin
Denis handing ov
er the presidentia
The 2014 Council members.
aragh O’Neill
ice President D
Denis with V
l chain to Margaret
.
– Page 2 –
April Lunch
April saw us in the luxurious surroundings of The Westin Hotel where GM Fred Smits gave a
welcome address and provided a top class lunch.
Frank Feehly, Aoife
– Page 3 –
Henderson & Guest
May Lunch
The Marker Hotel was the venue for our May lunch. As always GM Charlie Sheil was very welcoming
and everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch.
is Kane,
isabeth Diaz, Den
Daragh O'Neill, El
ornton
Th
ie
Leon
Angela Dillon &
Martin Mangan, Martin Cas
sidy & Nicky Logue
le,
n, Aidan Doy
ht, Jim Deega
ig
e
nr
an
E
K
an
is
hr
nd
C
, Bre
s and
Jimmy Dixon
David Frank
June Lunch
GM Peter McCann gave a welcoming address and update on the Tourism Situation which is way
ahead of last year’s figures so all in the hotel industry are looking forward to a good year.
Charlie Shiel with
Daragh O'Neill
Above: Garrett Power, Paddy
Dignam, Margaret Cronin and
Maika Teetz
d Denis Kane
Peter McCann with
n O'Shaughnessy an
Douglas Jordan, Joa
– Page 4 –
President Margaret
Cronin
July
Our evening summer BBQ was held in The Radisson Blu St Helens and as usual our host Neil Lane
provided a sumptuous spread. Douglas took over as MC and a great sing song went on late into the
night.
Left: Douglas and Margaret presenting the Skål Dublin pennant to Maika
Teetz from young Skål in Germany.
Below: Paul O’Toole doing his party piece at the sing song
September Lunch
September saw us visiting the luxurious Ruby Princess in Dublin Port. After seeing the wonderful
facilities that were on offer we had a colourful cocktail reception before our very tasty lunch.
The Cruise industry has increased in Dublin and indeed Ireland has grown 100% since 1994 and has
increased from 51 ships visiting Dublin in 2004 to 86 ships visiting Dublin port in 2014. Cruise ships
carried 56,000 passengers and 28,000 Crew with a spend of over 20 million Euro for direct and
indirect spend to Dublin. Cruise Tourism is important to the local economy in Dublin. Cruise
passengers visit Dublin only for a short visit but creates a huge interest for return visits and
extended stay in the future.
– Page 5 –
Left: National President Nora, Dublin President Margaret with Dermot
Cronin enjoying the colourful cocktails.
Below: Daragh O’Neill with Donal Hughes
October Lunch
Past President Nicky Logue was our host at The Gibson Hotel where guest speaker Charlie Murphy
advised on future plans for the development of the cruise business into Dublin Port while Nicky
spoke of the developments in the Point area. A great future is in store for the whole area over the
next few years.
International
enderleith
Ewan Pl
Nicky Logue with
Counsellor Dou
Bob Fennell, Mercie Conaghan, Denis Kane, David Hudson
– Page 6 –
glas Jordan, P
resident Marga
with guest spea
ret
ker Charlie M
urphy
SKÅL International World Congress in October
This was held in Mexico and we were represented by our President Margaret Cronin. Margaret had
great things to say regarding the organisation and work done at the congress.
Salih Cene from Turkey was elected as World president for the coming year.
The next World Congress will be held in Mombasa, Kenya and in 2016 it will be in Monaco.
World Skål Convention in Mexico City – Exchanging
Skål Pennants, National President Nora Cronin and
International Councillor Werner Flegel from
Germany, with Dublin President Margaret Cronin.
Skål Contingent from Ireland, Gala Evening and
Awards Ceremony, Mexico City, October 2014
Frances Brennan, Margaret Cronin, Dairin Coen,
Dermot Cronin, Mary Bennett, Breda Ryan,
Nora Cronin and Nano Flannery.
November Lunch
The Guinness Storehouse was the very popular venue for our November lunch where Director Paul
Carty was delighted to advise that visitor figures for this year are running 10% up on last year. After
a lovely meal we went to The Gravity Bar to view Dublin and enjoy the nicest Guinness in Ireland.
President Margaret, Paul Carty & Derry Cronin
– Page 7 –
November Lunch contd.
Paul Carty,
Douglas Jord
an and Ewan
Plenderleith
gh O'Neill
y & Dara
President
– Page 8 –
M
aul Cart
argaret, P
More memories from Christmas 2013
– Page 9 –
– Page 10 –
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