Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons presents the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Three-Star Hotels, sponsored by Tourism Ireland to Vincent, Olivia and Peggy Duff of the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells.

Headfort Arms Hotel wins top three-star prize

Published: Wed 29 Sep 2010, 4:46 PM

The Headfort Arms Hotel, the landmark Kells three-star hotel owned and operated by Peggy, Vincent and Olivia Duff, has been awarded one of the Irish hospitality industry's top awards, the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Three-Star Hotels, sponsored by Tourism Ireland. The Headfort Arms won the coveted hotel award at the 22nd Annual Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards, held in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on 20th September, beating off stiff competition from its peers in the Irish three-star hotel market to scoop the prestigious title. Organised by Hotel & Catering Review, the leading magazine for the Irish hospitality industry, the Gold Medal Awards are recognised as the industry's most rigorous and competitive independent awards programme. A total of 14 category awards were presented at this year's gala black tie ceremony, which was attended by over 350 leading hoteliers, restaurateurs and caterers from across Ireland. "The Headfort Arms Hotel represents the best of Irish hospitality," said Sarah Grennan, editor of Hotel & Catering Review and chairperson of the Gold Medal Awards jury. "Offering a 'home from home' for guests, this family-run hotel surpasses all expectations, providing winning service, great food and a warm atmosphere to Royal County visitors, and loyal locals." With 45 bedrooms, conference suites, banqueting for up to 500, the Vanilla Pod restaurant, Café Therese, The Kelltic Bar, Vibe Nightclub and The Headfort Spa Rooms, the hotel has been run by the Duff family since 1972. Celebrating 22 years this year, the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry. Competition for the awards is intense, with a record number of entries in 2010. Entrants hailed from the four corners of Ireland and underwent a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Gold Medal Awards team of 14 expert industry judges, who travelled more than 27,500 kilometres across the island this summer to search for the Ireland's best hotels, restaurants, caterers and hotel groups.