Who's who in Ireland
HOTELS
Gresham Hotel Group
The Gresham Hotel Group includes Ireland's oldest-established hotel, the Gresham Dublin, dating back to 1817. The chain is best known for providing quality accommodation and business facilities for corporate clients. It is also famous for its afternoon teas.
Where: Eight hotels, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Dun Laoghaire in Ireland, plus four across Europe, in London, Hamburg, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Why work there: Gresham Hotel Group likes to develop staff and encourages promotion from within. All general managers started off in more junior positions. There are also opportunities for workers to progress across different job areas, moving from trainee bar person to senior receptionist, for example.
Training schemes: A huge training drive for different levels of skill has recently been implemented. As well as in-house training, this year the company will take 22 degree students of hotel management from the UK and Ireland to spend a year on the Gresham student placement programme.
Contact: Sharon Coleman, human resources manager
The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 874 6881
E-mail: personnel@thegresham.com
Web: www.gresham-hotels.com
Jurys Doyle Hotel Group
Jurys Doyle is a large and rapidly expanding hotel group in Ireland. Most hotels are based in cities and are a mix of three-, four- and five-star standards, attracting mainly corporate clients.
Where: With its headquarters in Dublin, this hotel chain has 32 properties in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Why work there: The group prides itself on its progressive and dynamic attitude and is always looking for fresh ways of doing things. Of the 3,500 employees, about 2,000 are based in Ireland. There is an opportunity to travel, with transfers regularly taking place between properties within Ireland and overseas. Those wishing to work in the USA will usually need a year's service under their belt. There are currently a number of hotels under construction.
Training schemes: A range of training programmes includes supervisors' and managers' development schemes as well as front-line skills training.
Contact: Noeleen Waters, human resources officer
Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, 146 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 607 0070
E-mail: jobs@jurysdoyle.com
Web: www.jurysdoyle.com
The Clarence
Purchased in 1992 by two members of rock band U2, the Clarence is a lovingly restored boutique-style hotel. The theme is understated elegance and contemporary design, aimed at the sort of discerning customers who would appreciate individually designed rooms and luxurious touches.
Where: Central Dublin
Why work there: It's establishing a name for itself on both quality and service.
Training schemes: Training is given at all levels, from senior management to operative level. Each department has its own training plan and the hotel provides general training in areas such as safety and hygiene.
Contact: Liz Wall, PA to general manager
The Clarence, 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 407 0800
E-mail: pa@theclarence.ie
Web: www.theclarence.ie
Quinn Hotels
Quinn Hotels is part of the Quinn Group, whose portfolio also includes manufacturing, insurance and leisure businesses. The company was founded in 1990 and turns over £275m annually. Three- and four-star hotels cater for a corporate and leisure clientele, and the flagship Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club is a favourite with government ministers.
Where: There are five hotels in Ireland, all within a two-hour radius of Dublin, and two in England.
Why work there: This is a well-known local company, which trusts its instinct to recruit people for their enthusiasm and interpersonal skills rather than relying on formal qualifications. Promotion from within is very much encouraged, and workers are able to move between branches when the opportunity arises.
Training schemes: A range of in-house and external training is available from day one. Management training goes from school-leaver level upwards. Employees are encouraged to have a say in what training they receive.
Contact: Ciara Devlin, human resources manager
Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, Ireland Tel: 00 353 49 952 6444
E-mail: devlinc@quinnhotels
Web: www.quinnhotels.com
Le Méridien Shelbourne
As one of the most famous and historic hotels in Ireland, Le Méridien Shelbourne is a name to bolster any CV. The hotel became part of the Le Méridien brand in 1996, joining about 140 luxury hotels in 55 countries.
Where: Dublin.
Why work there: Working for Le Méridien means good career opportunities working for an established and world-class company. After six months' service, staff can take advantage of the international transfer list to work abroad. Many do, and Le Méridien Shelbourne has a mix of about 60% Irish and 40% overseas staff.
Training schemes: A comprehensive training and development programme is tailored to staff and their individual needs. All are provided "log books" to monitor their own training and development. Staff are encouraged to test out and comment on the restaurants, so they are better able to make recommendations.
Contact: Maebh Breathnach, human resources manager
Le Méridien Shelbourne, 27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 663 4510
E-mail: maebh.breathnach@lemeridien.com
Web: www.lemeridien.com
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Capital Bars
Many of Dublin's best-known bars belong to Capital Bars, the Irish leisure company. All 12 are individually designed with their own distinct personality and vibe. Zanzibar, for example, is decked out with Far Eastern-inspired opulence; 19th-century Paris is the influence at Café en Seine, winner of Jameson's Pub of the Year 2002; SoSuMe is a new chill-out bar; and club/bar Fireworks plays host to celebrity parties and fashion shows. The group also owns hotels.
Where: Around Dublin.
Why work there: It's a forward-thinking company with unique bars and clubs. There is an opportunity to move to other units in the company. There are plenty of management positions as each bar has a general manager, assistant manager, a team of deputy managers and a number of trainee deputy managers.
Training schemes: Structured company training schemes are in place, as well as external training programmes in a number of areas such as marketing and technical training. There are plenty of opportunities for promotion.
Contact: Each bar general manager looks after his or her own HR requirements.
Capital Bars, 40 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: 00 353 1 648 1200
E-mail: reception@capitalbars.com
Web: www.capitalbars.com
Fitzers Restaurants
This contemporary restaurant and contract catering outfit has its finger on the urban-cool pulse. The group strives to support Irish industry by insisting on sourcing top-quality home-grown produce.
Where: Branches at Temple Bar, the nightlife centre of Dublin, and the fashionable shopping area of Dawson Street.
Why work there: The restaurants are run in a very hands-on style, and the company is always alert to its market.
Training schemes: A variety of training programmes are in operation, include management training and floor training.
Contact: Mary Keogh, human resources manager
40 Temple Bar Square, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 679 0440
E-mail: eat@fitzers.ie
Web: www.fitzers.ie
Thomas Read Group
Think lofty ceilings, stone floors and original artworks and you have the cool urban feel of the fashionable Morrison hotel. A similar atmosphere runs through the group's caf‚-bars. Expansion plans are in the pipeline for 2004.
Where: The hotel and 12 bars are all in and around Dublin. The group also runs the bars at Dublin Airport.
Why work there: The bars and hotel attract a young, cosmopolitan workforce looking for good promotional opportunities and above-average pay.
Training schemes: Appropriate training programmes are provided.
Contact: Ivo Fay, human resources manager
Morrison Hotel, 37 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 887 2458. E-mail: hr@morrisonhotel.ie
Web: www.morrisonhotel.ie
CONTRACT CATERING
Campbell Catering
Campbell Catering is an Irish-owned giant that joined forces with US food service company Aramark in 2000. Clients include a wide range of businesses, both Irish and multinational, in a variety of sectors. Among its contracts are universities, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Irish Distillers, Guinness Storehouse, SAP and the institutes of technology nationwide.
Where: About 300 contracts throughout Ireland, employing 3,000 workers.
Why work there: The company was recently voted one of the 50 Best Companies to Work For in Ireland, from more than 4,000 contenders, as part of an initiative by the European Commission. Workers are encouraged to participate in all the company's initiatives.
Training schemes: A dedicated quality department carries out training and development from pre-employment induction onwards. Individual training plans are drawn up for staff.
Contact: Caitriona Ferriter, human resources manager
Campbell Catering, Northern Cross, Malahide Road, Dublin 17, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 816 0700
E-mail: ccl@campbellcatering.ie
Web: www.campbellcatering.ie
Karroll Food Services
This up-and-coming contractor is expanding fast. Owner Kenneth Karroll puts his success down to being personally involved at every stage of the business.
Where: About 20 contracts around Ireland in sectors including education, healthcare and business.
Why work there: Being a smaller organisation, there are opportunities for individuals to progress rapidly. The company promises that people showing initiative can progress quickly up the ranks into management.
Training schemes: Health and safety, food safety and customer care programmes. Other training is based on the specific needs of the individual.
Contact: Kenneth Karroll, owner
4 Thorn Castle Street, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 668 6095
