A number of locals have been named among those to pick up prizes at the CIÉ Tours annual awards of excellence.
The event run by the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland each year celebrates hoteliers and tourist experience operators who have been singled out by the 30,000 people who travelled with them in 2025.
Slieverue man Jack Burtchaell won the National Heritage Award for his Waterford Walking Tours which he’s run for over 35 years, recently completing his 10,000th walkabout for guests of CIÉ Tours.
Added to that Leinster Merit Winners include Lyrath Estate Hotel & Spa and Sullivan’s Taproom.
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, acknowledged the commitment of tour operators across Ireland and paid tribute to the award recipients; “These awards are a testament to the high standards of quality that each operator holds and is a well-deserved recognition of their work in welcoming CIÉ Tours visitors to Ireland, providing them with unique and unrivalled experiences”.
He added; “Tourism is a vital part of the Irish economy, impacting every town and village across the country and is a key source of employment for people in many rural communities. The government recognises the importance of the sector and recently launched a National Tourism Policy Statement which sets out a clear ambition to enhance tourism’s economic contribution, support regional development, and ensure the industry remains inclusive, sustainable, and adaptable to future challenges. This is supported by the provision of €233 million in Budget 2026 for the Tourism Services programme which
aims to drive regional development and employment in the sector”.
Aidan Murphy, Chairman, CIÉ Tours said; “CIÉ Tours has been playing a leading role in promoting Ireland as a tourist destination for almost 95 years and continues to perform at a high level on the international stage which has had a significant impact on the Irish economy. As a market leader in the USA, one of the most competitive markets in the world, CIÉ Tours has helped to increase the number of U.S. visitors to Ireland, who contribute to 31% of visitor spend, which amounted to €1.87 billion in 2024.”
Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours said; “2025 was another landmark year for CIÉ Tours, when we booked over 250,000 bed nights throughout Ireland. That we can offer a unique experience unrivalled by any other country is due in no small part to our many partners who work closely with us, taking the feedback from our visitors and continuously refining their offering.”
He also notes; “Our support for tourism destinations is bringing vital revenue to towns and villages across the country. We are continuously developing our offering, developing new and sustainable tours that will allow our visitors to experience the very best that Ireland has to offer.”
Full winner list
