Congratulations: Mayo hotel employees win prestigious awards
Pictured (L-R): Michael Magner, Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) National President; Beatrix Szoregi (Knockranny House Hotel & Spa), IHF Mayo Employee of the Year and Declan Heneghan, IHF Mayo Branch Chair. Photo: Conor McKeown
Beatrix Szoregi, from Knockranny House Hotel & Spa, has been announced as the 2025/2026 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Mayo Branch ‘Employee of the Year’.
The announcement was made at an awards lunch in the Knock House Hotel, where guests gathered to celebrate and recognise 11 nominees from hotels and guesthouses across Mayo who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.â¯
Congratulating Beatrix on the award, IHF Mayo Chair, Declan Heneghan said that, when selecting her as the winner, the judges highlighted Beatrix’s commitment to customer service, analytical approach to improving the spa experience for the customer, and the collaborative approach she employs with team members from other departments.
At the event, IHF President Michael Magner congratulated all nominees and said, “Our nominees represent the very best of our profession that thrives on dedication, innovation and the development of its people. There has never been a better time to start a career in tourism and hospitality in a sector that employs 69,000 in vibrant unique roles across Ireland including 6,000 in Mayo.”
Beatrix has worked at Knockranny House Hotel & Spa for nine years and is currently a Spa Therapist in the hotel. Beatrix’s colleagues say she “goes out of her way to welcome guests to the spa with a warm and genuine caring manner, that she has no issue with changing a treatment at the last minute to keep her guests happy and give them what they need on the day”.
Other award presentations on the day included an ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Profession Award’ for Ann McHale, F&B Assistant and Hotel Florist at Knock House Hotel and a ‘Rising Star Award’ for Oisin Coen, Receptionist at Breaffy House Resort.
The IHF Mayo Branch extends its gratitude to the expert judging panel of Padraig Nolan (IHF Galway Branch Chair and General Manager of the Oranmore Lodge Hotel) and Colette Brawn (Project Manager, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board) who had the difficult job of selecting a winner from the nominees.
The members of the IHF Mayo Branch now wish Beatrix the very best of luck as she goes on to represent them at the upcoming National IHF Employee of the Year Awards which will be held during the IHF’s Annual Conference which will take place at Gleneagle, Killarney in late February.
