Waterways Ireland Loughfest Event

This year's Waterways Ireland Loughfest event will take place on Saturday 31 May 2014 at the Broadmeadow, Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen.

The annual extravaganza is a FREE event sponsored by Waterways Ireland and organised by Fermanagh District Council which promises thrills and spills for the whole family with a range of activities taking place in Lough Erne and the Broadmeadow throughout the day.

A FREE programme of land-based entertainment and activities will take place on the Broadmeadow from 12 noon to 3.30pm with climbing walls, bouncy castles, high ropes course, face painting and much more!

A number of adrenaline fuelled wakeboarding and RNLI demonstrations will also take place on the water and various emergency services will be in attendance providing information and demonstrations.

At 4pm the Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-92 helicopter is scheduled to make a special landing at the event - a spectacle not to be missed!

A FREE programme of 'Come and Try It' activity sessions for children will also take place throughout the day. Please note, registration for the 'Come and Try It' activity sessions is essential. 

'Come and Try It' Canoeing  Suitable for children aged 8 years old and over. Sessions last an hour and a half. Session times: 10am - 11.30am, 12noon - 1.30pm and 2pm - 3.30pm. Registration is essential. Please click here to download a registration form.

'Come and Try It' Angling  Suitable for children aged 8 years old and over. Sessions last one hour. Session times: 10.30am - 11.30am and 11.30am - 12.30pm. Pleaseclick here to download a registration form.

'Come and Try It' Wakeboarding  Suitable for children aged 8 years old and over. Sessions last an hour and a half. Session times: 10.30am - 12 noon, 11.30am - 1pm, 1pm - 2.30pm and 2pm - 3.30pm. Registration is essential. Please contact Samantha Crawford on 07 808 966 163 or email info@cableandwake.com 

'Come and Try It' Kite Design  Suitable for children aged 5 years old and over. Sessions last one hour. Session times: 12.30pm - 1.30pm, 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Registration is essential. Please click here to download a registration form. Children will get to keep their kite which they design. 

All activities are FREE. If you require any additional information please contact Chris Elliott, Fermanagh District Council, 02866 325 050 or emailchris.elliott@fermanagh.gov.uk 

If you're planning a trip to Enniskillen for the Waterways Loughfest Event and need accomodation

Belmore Court & Motel offer something to suit everyone, from family rooms to executive suites  Click the link to check out all our special offers http://www.motel.co.uk/en/hotel-deals-fermanagh/ 

High Five! Belmore Court celebrates 5th Birthday

Flying high five years on! Although operating for almost 25 years, the extended Belmore Court & Motel opened for business in 2009. The 30 room ‘Belmore Court’ extension continues to offer guests a choice of high quality 4 Star Guest Accommodation, at great value prices and is delighted to be celebrating its 5^th Birthday!  The addition of 30 Superior and Executive rooms and suites in the heart of Enniskillen Town Centre was a welcome boost to Fermanagh’s growing tourism industry. 

The award winning reception team help celebrate 5 years in the new building

The 5^th Birthday celebrations include an exclusive Birthday £55 per room/night Sale* where guests are invited to join the party and avail of a ‘May Birthday Stay’ for less! This exclusive rate is available for Sunday to Thursday short breaks in May – subject to availability.

Since its expansion Belmore Court & Motel continues to go from strength to strength with numerous improvements to facilities and additions to its swelling Awards cabinet; showcasing its commitment to delivering the best experience for every guest. 

Most recently Belmore Court & Motel where absolutely thrilled to be crowned ‘Hotel and Guesthouse Reception Team of the Year’ by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) at a glittering awards ceremony on Wednesday 30th April 2014.  Reception Team team member, Angie McDaniel was also a finalist in the ‘Hotel and Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year’ Category. Belmore Court & Motel pride themselves in offering a warm Fermanagh welcome and this award is testament to the dedicated, friendly reception team.  

Belmore Court & Motel’s Housekeeping Team cleaned up at the annual NIHF Awards by winning the 'Under 90 Rooms' category, fending off stiff competition from Malmaison, Ten Square, Clandeboye Lodge Hotel and Galgorm Resort & Spa.

Belmore Court & Motel have also been shortlisted for the forthcoming Northern Ireland Tourism Awards (NITA) in two categories: ‘Serviced Accommodation of the year’ and ‘Customer Service Excellence’. The Awards are considered the ‘Oscars’ of the tourism sector in Northern Ireland will take place at the Ulster Hall Belfast on Thursday 29th May 2014.

With the growing importance of environmental issues and Green Tourism, Belmore Court & Motel was proud to be awarded the ‘Gold’ Green Tourism Award by NITB, demonstrating that the highest standards of sustainability are been adhered to.

As the first business in Northern Ireland to join Zero Carbon World, Belmore Court & Motel are meeting the needs of a new market of electric vehicle owners by giving them the option of an overnight charge. To promote this facility, users of the service have the opportunity to avail of a night’s free accommodation!

Commenting on the 5 year milestone, Owner Terry McCartney ,“We are proud to reach this company milestone in what has been a challenging, yet exciting time for Tourism. Fermanagh was showcased to the world as the host location for the 2013 G8 Summit and continues to develop as a tourist destination. At Belmore Court & Motel we are passionate about delivering the best experience for all our guests, whilst offering value for money. We continuously strive to improve the facilities and services available at Belmore Court & Motel. We would like to thank all our customers and dedicated staff for their continued support”.

Enjoy a Spring break to the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands with a stay Northern Ireland’s only 4 Star Motel and avail of Belmore Court’s 5^th Birthday offer which is available throughout May (Sun – Thurs).

*Offer subject to availability valid Sun – Thurs May 2014. Book Online www.motel.co.uk/Birthday or T: 028 6632 6633

The Best of the Best in Northern Ireland Hotels and Guest Houses

The team at the Belmore Court and Motel, Enniskillen, won the title of Reception of the Year at this year’s Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year gala awards ceremony. It was double delight of the team at the Belmore, who also won the housekeeping team of the year title in March. The Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year competition is organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and is in its eleventh year. The award is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Its aim is to highlight the importance of the role of the reception team, reward the best in class and highlight excellence in guest service.

Mandy Patrick (NIHF), Terry McCartney, Michelle McCaffrey, Carolyn Boyd (NITB), Angie McDaniel and Samantha Munton

Mandy Patrick, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said, “The Hotels Federation recognises that people are an integral part of our success. The hotel receptionist has a unique role to play and is the main point of contact for our guests. A major part of a hotel’s success rests with the people in this competition. Without their contribution we could not give the guest the excellent experience they are looking for.”

The win by the Belmore Court and Motel is the first for Fermanagh and Terry McCartney, Managing Director of the property said, Our mission at Belmore Court and Motel is to make the guest the number one priority and all the team are dedicated to making this happen. I am extremely proud of everyone in the organisation now that our team holds the awards for both Best Housekeeping Team and Best Reception Team in Northern Ireland..”

A number of individual categories were also awarded on the evening. The title of Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year 2014 went to Peter Reid of the Bushmills Inn. This is the first time in the competition’s history that there has been a male overall winner. The runner-up was Rachel Lennon from the Premier Inn Belfast City Centre with third place going to Chantelle McCallion of the City Hotel Derry.

The winner of the Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year was Lesley Woods from the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast. The runner-up in this category was Tyler Stothard of the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel.

UTV’s Pamela Ballantine compered proceedings at the awards dinner, which was held in the Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel on Wednesday 30th April 2014. The NIHF was joined on the evening by supporters, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Derry City Council, Diageo and Frost Couture for a glamorous evening in the Maiden City.

Ends

Photos:

Notes for Editors

Hotel & Guesthouse Reception of the Year sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Winner: Belmore Court & Motel

Runner-up: Benedicts Hotel, Belfast

Third Place: City Hotel Derry

Recognising the achievements of the whole reception team.

Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Peter Reid, Bushmills Hotel

Runner-up: Rachel Lennon, Premier Inn Belfast

Third Place: Chantelle McCallion, City Hotel Derry

Most Promising Hotel & Guesthouse Receptionist of the Year

Winner: Lesley Woods, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast

Runner-up: Tyler Stothard, Best Western Plus WhiteHorse Hotel

Recognising those in the role for less than one year.

Background

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation successfully re-launched the competition in 2004. The event has been very well received within the sector and currently recognises excellence in three distinct categories.

The competition aims to recognise the attributes and skills of the reception function and has been reinstated after consultation with the sector and keen interest from the hotel trade. The competition also seeks to recognise international standards and competitiveness within the hospitality sector.

This award previously ran for over 20 years and was recognised as a leading accolade within the hospitality sector. The last ten years have seen the award receive significant attention from the public, press and industry including applications from over 95 hopeful contestants this year.

More Information

For further information please contact Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation:
Tel: 028 9077 6635   Mobile: 07799711960  Email: janice@nihf.co.uk