President’s Report – June 2025

What an unforgettable evening we shared on May 19th at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, where we came together for the All-Ireland Irish Restaurant Awards! It was a true celebration of passion, talent and dedication across our incredible hospitality sector.

To all the winners, be proud of your achievements! You are setting the standard for excellence. To those who narrowly missed out make sure to keep pushing, keep innovating and keep striving for greatness.

Here’s a few lines from my opening address to over 900 guests:
“We gather here tonight to recognise the dedication and determination of those at the forefront of Irish hospitality, every chef, front of house team member and establishment here tonight. It is vital that we continue to celebrate excellence at Awards events like this. What a great opportunity to reflect on what makes hospitality in Ireland so unique!  It is a chance to thank all those people that make Ireland’s food-led hospitality sector tick. Despite all the financial challenges that we currently face day in and day out, it is vitally important we strive to feel optimistic about the future of hospitality.”

On the night, we were proud to support two exceptional charities: Friends of the Elderly and Tourist SOS. Both organizations work tirelessly to provide care, connection and critical support to those in need. But they can’t do it alone. Please consider donating, no matter how small or large, to help them continue their vital work.

On the international front, I recently attended the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, where I had the pleasure of meeting leaders from the National Restaurant Association of America. We’ve laid the groundwork for an exciting new collaboration, one that will open doors and create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and partnership in the months and years ahead.

Meanwhile, back home, Adrian Cummins and the entire RAI team are working tirelessly on your behalf, lobbying for the changes our industry needs, advocating for fair policies and keeping you informed every step of the way. Your voice matters. I strongly encourage all members to stay engaged: attend your local branch meetings, connect with our office and make sure you are part of shaping our collective future. Together, we are stronger.

Wishing you all continued success and a prosperous, thriving season ahead!