Hoteliers put their glad rags on for a night off at the Irish Embassy in London
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Hoteliers put their glad rags on for a night off at the Irish Embassy in London

BRITISH-BASED alumni of the prestigious Shannon College of Hotel Management came together in London at a special reception hosted by Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall.

Graduates and friends of the Co. Clare college were welcomed by the Ambassador at the Irish Embassy for a glamorous evening which “celebrated the valued contribution made by members of the Alumni to the wider UK economy” a Shannon College representative told The Irish Post.

More than 100 guests attended the glitzy affair, which saw Ambassador Mulhall make a speech recognising the achievements of students of the college over many years.

Various alumni members have gone on to achieve great things within the global travel and tourism industry, with many former students now holding top spots in high end hotels in London and around the world.

Special mention was given to Gerald Lawless (Class of 1975) on the night, who was inducted into the British Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame earlier this year, and also Patrick Dempsey (Class of 1981), who has been awarded an OBE for his services to the hospitality sector.

In an emotive address, Shannon College Director Phillip Smyth gave a heartfelt account of the history of the organisation and its “enduring links” to the global economy.

With 2102 members currently on the Shannon College alumni database, the institution boasts chapters all over the world, but claims its London branch is the “most active” with the largest attendance at its regular networking events.

Chapters also exist in New York, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, China, Australia and Vancouver.