Kenmare-native and IT Tralee graduate Keara O'Brien was named by Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) as ‘Graduate of the Year’ at the prestigious IHI Founders Banquet and Hospitality Awards that took place in Dublin last Thursday night. Keara, who holds the position of Operations Manager at Parknasilla Hotel & Resort, is a graduate from IT Tralee's Hotel Management Programme (TMDP). This is the second time a graduate from this programme has received this award with Ian Madden winning the award in 2016.

Earlier this year Keara won the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) Kerry Branch student of the year in the non-academic category and followed this with IHF Kerry academic award for the highest performing student.

Michael Crossan, lecturer at the IT Tralee said, “Keara is a deserving winner, her passion for the industry and her commitment to her own academic development whilst working full time is to be commended.”

Mary Rose Stafford, Head of the School of Business, Computing & Humanities at the Institute of Technology, Tralee added, “The Trainee Management Development Programme has a proven record of accomplishment in moulding exceptional graduates. To have two winners over the past two years is a sign of the strength of the programme, but also the calibre of student it attracts, meaning that students get the opportunity to learn from both the lecturing staff, their employer and their classmates. This dynamic approach to teaching enables graduates to progress in their chosen career, while instilling the strong Kerry tradition of hospitality.”

The Hotel Management Programme (TMDP) is offered through IT Tralee’s Life Long Learning Department and gives those currently employed in the Hotel Industry the opportunity to pursue a degree in Hotel Management while simultaneously working with their sponsoring employer. Each year the programme comprises of the delivery of 60 credits of study through a blended learning approach.

Established in 1966, the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) is the professional body for managers within the hospitality and tourism industry in Ireland. The IHI Founders Banquet and Hospitality Awards now in their 22nd year, are presented in recognition of the individuals, professionalism, capability and technical skills and their thirst for continual learning coupled with the energy and innovation they bring to their role.