Pictured left to right: Terry Kelly (Sales and Marketing Manager), Mick and Robin Boyle (Owners), Jason Foody (General Manager), Sarah Lennox (Revenue Manager), Micheal Sheppard (Duty Manager)
We are proud to announce that both Killeavy Castle Estate and our owner, Mick Boyle, have been recognised for our contribution to tourism in Northern Ireland at the inaugural Tourism NI Giant Spirit Awards which took place in early October.
The NI Giant Spirit Awards shine a light on the incredible tourism and hospitality offerings that Northern Ireland has to offer and the invaluable contribution they make to the communities in which they operate, welcoming visitors to the area, generating business and raising the profile of Northern Ireland as a world-class tourism destination.
We were thrilled to receive the award for ‘NI’s Best Food and Drink Experience’ for the authentic ‘Farm to Fork’ approach to dining that we offer at the Estate. By expanding our unique food and drink offering at Killeavy Castle Estate through the development of our vegetable garden and onsite working farm, the benefits to the business and to our stakeholders and guests have been far-reaching.
In addition to offering our guests one of the most sustainable tasting menus in Ireland, with no compromise on flavour or quality, we have created additional jobs in the business and increased our trade with local suppliers. We are so proud to offer a true farm-to-fork experience which sees 90% of all produce that is used in our food operations, being harvested from the Estate grounds or hailing from local approved suppliers that are within a 20-mile radius. To be recognised for this and be awarded the title of ‘NI’s Best Food and Drink Experience’ is a testament to the great work that has been carried out to bring our ethos to life.
Owner of Killeavy Castle Estate, Mick Boyle, was the well-deserving winner of the ‘Local Spirit Award’ in recognition of his vision and commitment to tourism and sustainability in the development of Killeavy Castle Estate as a leading tourist destination in Northern Ireland.
Mick embodies the values of the ‘Giant Spirit’. From the outset, his goal was to restore and launch an internationally-recognised property in the heart of South Armagh that would highlight and complement local people, and the breathtaking landscape of Slieve Gullion and captivate visitors by offering an experience that is second to none.
Mick’s passion for Killeavy Castle Estate is deep-rooted and this passion runs throughout the entire team at the Estate, who reach further every single day. A Giant Spirit, following a considerable investment of time, and money, Mick has brought his vision to life, creating a unique property and visitor experience while staying true to his values, committing to a sustainable approach to business throughout the Estate from the concept and design phase to operations.
We want to express our thanks and gratitude to all of our customers for their ongoing support and, most importantly, to the team of staff here at the Estate. Their contribution to this award win cannot go unacknowledged. The team consistently deliver exceptional service to every one of our guests, going above and beyond to ensure their experience at Killeavy Castle Estate is an unforgettable one.