Pictures: Donegal hoteliers honour Paul Diver at glitzy gala dinner

Main pic L-R: Niall Coffey, Harvey’s Point, Paul Diver Sandhouse Hotel, and Matt O’Connor, Vice President Irish Hotels Federation. Photo Clive Wasson

The Donegal Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) this week hosted a ‘Thank You Gala Dinner’ in honour of fellow member, Paul Diver.

Mr Diver, owner of the Sandhouse Hotel in Rossnowlagh, earlier this year stepped down as Branch Chair. The celebration, held at the Shandon Hotel, Dunfanaghy, saw over one hundred guests, including local hoteliers and industry representatives, come together to thank him for his enormous contribution to the sector and local tourism community.

The event was led by Aisling Arnold, the current IHF Donegal Branch Chair.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity on behalf of my colleagues and fellow hoteliers throughout Donegal to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Paul for his leadership and the immense dedication he has shown throughout his tenure as our branch chair,” she said.

“Paul’s passion for our sector and wider tourism industry is matched only by his tireless personal commitment to promoting business in Donegal.”

“During this time, he has provided a strong voice for local hotels and guesthouses, advocating on behalf of our tourism and hospitality sector to ensure the right conditions are in place to deliver a sustained recovery so that our wider tourism industry can live up to its full potential.

“Paul epitomises all that is good about our sector and the talented people who strive every day to make Irish tourism such a success, and no more so than here in Donegal. His extensive experience, amazing drive and energy have been a tremendous asset to the IHF, and it has been a great pleasure to work closely with him at branch level in recent years. Thank you Paul.”

He thanked Aisling for the fantastic recognition and wished her well in her new role, commenting that the branch is in very safe hands with such an enthusiastic and competent Chair.

Mr Diver has spent his entire life in the hotel industry, starting off in the Hyland Central Hotel collecting glasses. He also spent a number of years in London before returning to Ireland to help with the transition of Teach Furbo to the Connemara Coast Hotel. In 1991, he moved to the Sandhouse Hotel to manage it for the Britton family. In 2012, he managed to purchase the hotel at the first Allsopp distressed property auction.

 

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