Our #MeetInKerry Ezine is packed full of the latest MICE news from the Kingdom of Kerry. No Images? Click here #MemorableMeetings #InspiredIncentives #CaptivatingConferences #ExtraordinaryEvents#MeetInKerryIts where ancient history and future worlds collide...... Let us inspire youOur June #MeetInKerry Ezine is packed full of the latest MICE news from the Kingdom of Kerry. Its been an exciting start to 2019 and we are delighted to be able to share news of innovative new experiences, property expansions, international awards, new members, upcoming activities and much, much more in this edition. We hope the stories and information will inspire fresh thinking and new perspectives on why you should keep Kerry on your destination radar ☘ #MeetInKerry #MakeItIreland Come and say helloKerry Convention Bureau will be on the road in July, attending two international trade events with our colleagues from the Dublin Convention Bureau. If you are attending one of these events and would like to catch up, we would love to have the opportunity to reconnect and talk through your event requirements. Wednesday 10 July Awards GaloreWith many of our member properties regularly taking out top national and international accolades, Kerry is deserving of its reputation as one of Ireland's top destinations for meetings and incentives. The latest Member awards include: Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice Ireland Awards 2019 A huge congratulations to all our members recognised in this year's awards. Top 25 Luxury HotelsInternational Acclaim for the Europe Hotel The multi award winning 5* Europe Hotel & Resort has been added to Preferred Hotels & Resorts prestigious ‘Legend’ collection. The collection is considered as their ‘Ultra Luxury’ portfolio with less than 100 hotels worldwide achieving this accolade ESPA at the Europe Hotel & Resort was also named 2019 Hotel Spa of the Year at The European Hotel Awards. The luxurious 4,500 sq.m Spa is set in a spectacular location on the shores of Lough Lein and the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range. Multiple Awards for the Lake Hotel The Lake Hotel, Killarney swept the board at the 2019 Irish Hotel Awards winning five awards including Ireland's 'Country House Hotel of the Year' & 'Chef of the Year' Dingle Gin: Best in the World! Dingle Original Gin has beaten over 400 others to be awarded overall 'Best in World' at the World Gin Awards Ceremony 2019. It was also named 'World's Best London Gin'. The unique flavour profile of Dingle Gin includes locally foraged botanicals from the surrounding Wild Atlantic Way landscape like rowanberry, fuchsia, bog myrtle, hawthorn and heather. Make your next #MeetInKerry event 'world class' by bringing the Dingle Distillery team & bar onsite or visit the distillery for a private tour and tasting session. Kerry's Reeks District named in Rough Guides Top Six' regions to visit in 2019 Kerry's spectacular Reeks District has been named in Rough Guides ‘Top Six Regions’ as one of the world's best places to visit in 2019. Set against an impressive backdrop of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain, the area offers a wealth of immersive social program activities ranging from soft to high adventure which will a touch of the extraordinary to your event. Delegates can walk, hike, climb, bike, kayak, surf and sail around the mountains, lakes and coast of this very special part of the Kingdom. Our member activity partners Hidden Ireland Tours & Orangeworks can assist to create a bespoke program of activities ideally suited to all fitness levels, with cultural highlights woven in. After a day which will be talked about by delegates for years to come, its then time to sit back, relax and take in the views while enjoying a gastronomic five course tasting menu at Jacks Coastguard Restaurant. Six Kerry beaches make Trip Advisors 2019 Top Ten Irish beaches list Located within easy proximity of our main MICE destinations, Banna Strand, Inch, Derrrynane, Ladies Beach, Coumeenoole & Rossbeigh beaches can incorporated into #MeetInKerry social programs with immersive activities including horse riding, kayaking, surfing, stand up paddle boarding all on offer. What's New in the Kingdom......Cahernane unveils new Coach House roomsThe Cahernane House Hotel now boasts 8 new luxurious bedrooms in its renovated coach house. Each room is bespoke with feature wallpapers, luxurious fabrics and original Irish antique furniture. Situated on 6.4 acres in a stunning location on the edge of Killarney National Park, this luxury 48 bedroom manor house, often referred to as Ireland’s own ‘Downton Abbey’ can be booked exclusively for incentive groups Dingle Skellig celebrates 50 years with launch of multi-million redevelopmentThe Dingle Skellig Hotel has celebrated its 50th year anniversary with the completion of a multi-million redevelopment which includes 32 luxury guest bedrooms, five stunning rooftop suites offering balconies with panoramic views and upgraded dining and event spaces. This 152 bedroom property, set in a stunning location overlooking Dingle Bay is ideal for incentive groups and small residential conferences, with event spaces up to 250 pax. New Experience spotlightCardboard Currach RegattaOrangeworks specialise in creating exceptional experiences that will be talked about for years to come. For a team activity that immerses participants in nature & gives them the chance to get 'their feet wet', while overcoming the seemingly impossible, the ‘Cardboard Currach Regatta' can be held in locations throughout Kerry. Teams are presented with an outwardly impossible task: construct a seaworthy vessel in a short time with unlikely building materials. This inspirational corporate & incentive friendly event helps teams to discover how innovation and the blending of skills from different individuals can make difficult tasks easier to achieve. Essentially the Cardboard Currach Regatta is a challenge that hinges on project management, group communication and keeping a cool head under pressure. Suitable for groups of 20 pax upwards and offering a choice of race, regatta, sea battle or sunken treasure challenge, this adventure can take place on a lake, pool or the open sea. For an added injection of Irishness, the teams are given Hurleys to propel the boats on the water. Delegates can also navigate a route collecting grab bags packed with all the essentials to make a Hot Irish Whiskey back on the shore! The perfect end to this unique regatta! Innovative event optionsGifting suites & eco friendly, artisan lunch packsLocated at the foothills of the McGillycuddy Reeks, only ten minutes drive from Killarney town centre is Moriarity's, one of Ireland's most highly renowned gift stores and it's adjoining artisan restaurant, Heather. Nestled on the banks of the River Loe, the venue offers stunning views of the iconic Gap of Dunloe. Proudly owned by the Moriarty family, for over 50 years, they offer a range of bespoke service and event options for corporate and incentive groups visiting Kerry including:
Heather Restaurant is a bright and spacious table service restaurant set on 5 acres of multi-level gardens with breath-taking views of the mountains. It's vision is to produce fresh, simply prepared, seasonal food. As well as produce from it's own garden and poly tunnels, the menu features local artisan food producers, organic farmers and wild Atlantic seafood that the South West of Ireland has to offer. Local entertainment can be arranged to play traditional Irish tunes while the guests are enjoying the displays in the shop & the garden or for some pre or post dinner dancing. Lift the latch on the pastLocated in the grounds of the Ballygarry House Hotel, this mid-18th Century Lodge was formerly the gate lodge of an adjacent farm. When the main Dublin road was moved, the lodge was seperated from the farmhouse and became part of Ballygarry House. The lodge was home to Thomas and Ellen O'Brien. Their love story began when they refused to be separated because of religious differences despite the promise of family fortunes. They lived here for 22 years until the 1940's raising 8 children together. Ballygarry House has maintained the Lodge as part of Tralee's history and it is now available as a private event space for small groups up to 12 pax. Choose from the Prosecco & Gin Afternoon Tea with a personalised butler or small drinks receptions. Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa is a 64 bedroom luxury 4* hotel, located just outside of Tralee with two large event spaces, maximum 350 pax, private dining options and extensive gardens and is ideal for small residential conferences and incentive groups. Activity ideal for small groups as inclusion in social & partner programs Pioneering vegan menus, following soil to fork mantra delighting delegates at The BrehonDelegates following a plant based diet can count on their tastes being well catered when attending events at The Brehon and Killarney Convention Centre. Since the start of the year, multi award winning Head Chef Chad Byrne has been experimenting and focusing on vegan food and the Convention Centres' onsite 4* property, The Brehon has now launched a new five-course vegan tasting menu. Created and carefully curated by Chad and his team, this menu evolves weekly and aims to introduce people to vegan food at its finest as well as catering for those who already enjoy the flavours of a plant-based diet. Using only the most seasonal and local produce, this unique menu is sustainable and embraces a soil to fork mantra. Whether its for a private reception or dining event at the Brehon or for delegates attending conferences in the Convention Centre, the venues’ commitment to providing exceptional and sustainable plant based fare enables event planners to ensure that delegates looking for vegan options will be extremely well looked after. Membership News....KCB Members become SITE Global Certified Incentive SpecialistsFour KCB members recently qualified as SITE Global’s Certified Incentive Specialists. In a program supported by Meet In Ireland, Toddy Doyle from Muckross Traditional Farms, Ann Shanahan and Olivia Walsh Murphy from Killarney Convention Centre and Allan O’Connor from Killarney Park Hotel & achieved accreditation which will assist them in delivering #InspiredIncentives & exceptional service to groups visiting the region. New Members spotlightHidden Links® Golf and Incentive TravelKCB's newest member Hidden Links® Golf and Incentive Travel specialises in delivering highly-customised programs for corporate and incentive group events across Kerry! The Kingdom of Kerry is thought by many to be the world’s finest “golf trail” and whether your group consists of all golfers or just a few golfers, Hidden Links draw on long-standing relationships with all of Kerry’s major golf courses and best 4-and-5-star properties to take care of all of the arrangements, seamlessly integrating the golf outings into the rest of your incentive itinerary. Hidden Links are also able to create bespoke incentive or conference social programs filled with authentic, 'off the beaten path experiences and cultural highlights. Innsifallen Hotel Innisfallen Hotel is a 4* 73 bedroom hotel offering glorious views of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and the world famous Lakes of Killarney. Situated a short drive outside of Killarney town, the property is ideal for smaller groups or as supporting accommodation for large events being held at the Europe Hotel & Resort, which is located directly opposite the hotel. The property has one 60 pax capacity meeting room and can also be booked exclusively. Associate Membership & Industry collaborationKerry Convention Bureau recently launched a new Associate Membership category & are delighted to welcome on board many of Ireland’s top Professional Conference Organisers, Destination Management Companies & Event Management Companies. To find out more about the bespoke #MeetInKerry programs that these partners can deliver across the region of Kerry, working collaboratively with our member suppliers, please check out the Professional Organiser sections on our Meetings & Conferences and Incentive on our website. Explore our regionKerry is a world class business events destination and is home to some of the most iconic scenery in Ireland. Offering breathtaking landscapes and unrivalled facilities in idyllic locations, our five MICE ready destinations Dingle, Kenmare, Killarney, Sneem and Tralee excel in combining the traditional with the modern, the historic with the contemporary and the dynamic with that famous Irish laid-back quality. Visit our website to explore what each destination has to offer including member hotels, offsite venues and top ten activity suggestions. Our useful sample itineraries provide example programs for each destination, across different budget levels. The site is here to be your 'go to' resource on all things MICE In the Kingdom Did You Know? Kerry is serviced by three international and one regional airport. Kerry Airport is located just twenty minutes drive from the main towns of Killarney and Tralee and is serviced by twice daily flights from Dublin as well as frequent flights from London and Germany. With flights originating from the US or via Dubai, baggage can be checked through all the way to Kerry. Feeling Inspired?Do you now have an event or client in mind that would be a great fit for the region? Contact the team today on sales@kerryconventionbureau.com and allow us to assist you to explore and develop creative #MeetInKerry options for your next event....... Kerry Convention Bureau offers a free and impartial service facilitating connections to passionate, local suppliers who are committed to working together to Our region wide membership comprises of small to large meeting and offsite venues, hotels, activity and transport providers. INDUSTRY PARTNERS#MemorableMeetings #InspiredIncentives #CaptivatingConferences #ExtraordinaryEvents |