The Travel Counsellors Conference 2025 concluded last night in spectacular fashion as TCs, spouses and partners, as well as suppliers came together for the pre-dinner drinks, sponsored by Qatar Airways, the Gala Dinner, and highly anticipated awards at Druid’s Glen Hotel & Gold Resort. The Black Tie dress code was apparent during the pre-dinner drinks with the ladies dripping in sequins and elegance, while the men suited up in tuxes complete with dickie bows and looking very dapper.
It wasn’t long before everyone made their way into the beautifully decorated James Joyce ballroom and Cathy once again thanked everyone for their hard-work and efforts over the two days. Jim Eastwood took to the stage to give a witty rendition of Christy Moore’s ‘Lisdoonvarna’, which had the whole audience signing along to the chorus of “ooooooh, TC Ireland twenty!”
The Awards, which were voted for by the TCs, were met with cheers and hugs aplenty as Travel Counsellors congratulated their colleagues and joined in celebrating their successes as Cathy and Bernie made their way through the 12 awards. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners from all at ITTN!
Making Waves 2025
Finalists: Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises & Royal Caribbean
Winner: MSC Cruises
Business Partner of the Year 2025
Finalists: Blue Insurance, A Tent with a View, Aer Lingus
Winner: Aer Lingus
Lifetime Achievement
Winner: Mary Foyle
Most Helpful TC 2025
Winner: Sharon Tiernan-Murphy
Top New Starter 2025
Finalist: Dee Haugh, Brian Bloomer, Miriam Kelliher, Karen Reid & Emma Dowling
Winner: Miriam Kelliher
Top Cruise TC 2025
Finalists: Emma Campbell, Sinead Lonergan, Eleanor Roche, Criona Buggy, Sharon Tiernan-Murphy
Winner: Sinead Lonergan
Customers for Life
Finalists: Mary Foyle, Sarah McCarthy, Mandy Walsh, Kathy O’Sullivan, Katrina McMullan, Rosemary Chawke
Winner: Mandy Walsh
Best Business Growth 2025
Finalists: Sarah Appleton, Andrew Bedford, Eleanor Roche, Margaret Kelly, Brenda Murray-Flynn
Winner: Brenda Murray-Flynn
New Business Champion 2025
Finalists: Andre Bedford, Kathy O’Sullivan, Mandy Walsh, Rosemary Chawke, Imelda McCarthy
Winner: Andre Bedford
Best Corporate Business 2025
Finalists: Emer McDermott, Catherine Maguire, Maeve Doherty, Lorraine Lawless, Brenda Murray-Flynn
Winner: Catherine Maguire
Top Performing Leisure 2025
Finalists: Mary Foyle, Kathy O’Sullivan, Sarah McCarthy, Andre Bedford, Mandy Walsh
Winner: Sarah McCarthy
Sarah was unfortunately unable to attend the conference
Top Performing Travel Counsellor 2025
Finalists: Mary Foyle, Emer McDermott, Catherine Maguire, Mandy Walsh, Sarah McCarthy
Winner: Emer McDermott
From a personal perspective, I thoroughly had a great time reconnecting with TCs and the Head Office team, most of whom I haven’t seen since last year in the Lyrath Hotel. As always, your warmth and smiles made covering this conference an absolute joy.
The man of the conference and new to TC Ireland Head Office – the exuberant Cathal White – deserves a mention as he brought laughter, abundant energy and positivity every time he was on stage, with shout-outs from guest speaker Dermot Whelan, Cathy Burke and Jim Eastwood throughout the conference!
As always, catching up with suppliers and meeting plenty of new ones was a pleasure and it was evident how much your presence at the conference meant to the TCs as the energy during the travel market networking session was electric.
From the business sessions to the travel market, the guest speakers to the delicious Gala Dinner, the whole conference was seamless and was incredibly enjoyable to be part of. A massive shout out to the Head Office team who brought everything together and made this conference everything that it was. For fear of leaving someone out, I won’t mention names, but you all know who you are.
Lastly, to Cathy and Bernie, thank you for asking me to be part of your big 20th anniversary celebrations and cover the two days on behalf of ITTN. It is always a pleasure to cover the TC Ireland Conference so hopefully you’ll have me back again next year!
Take a look back at ITTN’s coverage over the two days in the links below…
