Resilience in an
Uncertain World
TOURISM CONFERENCE
01 OCTOBER
LYRATH ESTATE, KILKENNY
The annual conference of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) took place on October 1st 2025 in the 5 star Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny in Ireland's Ancient East.
The flagship tourism conference of the year had the theme "Resilience in an uncertain world" and looked at how tourism can prosper in these challenging times. The conference was once again moderated by award-winning broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald.
Thank you to all those who attended and who made it such a memorable day. See highlights and event information below.
VIDEOS
A short review of how tourism is faring in 2025
ITIC Chair Niall MacCarthy
Opening address
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment
Fireside chat with Dearbhail McDonald
Mark Little
'Media, Technology and Democracy'
Opportunity for Growth
'Ireland's Ancient East'
Colin Hunt
AIB CEO and Ibec President
Timmy Mallett
'Ireland from a Bike'
Panel discussion
'Tourism performance, priorities and policies'
The Eileen O'Mara Walsh Tourism Industry
Special Recognition Award 2025
Francis Brennan
'The importance of Ireland's Céad Míle Fáilte'
Panel discussion
'Can tourism prosper in uncertain times?'
ITIC CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh
'Wrap-up chat with Dearbhail McDonald'
A look back at ITICConf25
'Resilience in an Uncertain World'
GALLERY
SPEAKERS
Siobhan McManamy
Director of Markets & Partnerships
Tourism Ireland
About Dearbhail
Dearbhail McDonald is an author, journalist, broadcaster and documentary maker.
A global Eisenhower Fellow, Dearbhail has won a series of awards for her contribution to public affairs journalism including the Outstanding Achievement Award from the UCD Smurfit Business School, the Mary Cummins Award for Women of Outstanding Achievement in Media, a Dublin City University Special Alumni Achievement award, as well as several Law Society of Ireland Justice Media Awards for her legal affairs and business coverage.
The former Group Business and Legal Editor of Independent News and Media, and author of Bust: How the Courts Exposed the Rotten Heart of the Irish Economy (Penguin), Dearbhail has consistently used her platforms to highlight a range of diverse issues at the interface of law, business, society, economics and culture.
President of the Strategy Committee of Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, Dearbhail has also served on the boards of Fighting Words, Ireland's national creative writing centre for children and young adults, the St. Stephen's Green Trust as well as the External Advisory Board of Maynooth University Department of Law.
Dearbhail has made a series of television documentaries for RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster, including Fertility Shock (2019), The Last Nuns in Ireland (2024) and The Last Missionaries in Ireland (2025).
Dearbhail holds an LL.B (Law) from Trinity College Dublin as well as a Masters Degree in Journalism from Dublin City University.
About Niall
Niall is an experienced Senior Executive within the daa Group with over 23 years of experience in airport operations management across the three primary airports in Ireland and the largest airport in Saudi Arabia. A qualified Chartered accountant, Niall is the Managing Director of Cork Airport and a member of the daa Group leadership having directly led teams of up to 3000 staff in Saudi and 1000+ staff in Ireland.
Niall was appointed Vice Chair in May 2017 and then Chair of the Airport Council International Europe Regional Airports Forum in May 2019. This body represents the voice of over 400 of Europe's regional airports through the ACI Europe permanent offices in Brussels Niall served in this role until March 2022.
Acknowledging that aviation and tourism go "hand in hand", Niall is pro bono Chairperson of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation Board since June 2024 and a Board member of the Cork Tourism Initiative, Pure Cork since August 2016.
Niall is married with 5 children & lives in Belgooly, County Cork. Unsurprisingly, given the business he works in, he loves to travel in his spare time and explore new countries, foods and experiences.
About Alice
Alice Mansergh is Chief Executive at Tourism Ireland, with leadership responsibility for marketing the island of Ireland to overseas visitors. Collaborating with industry and government partners, Alice and the Tourism Ireland team are proud to support and grow the contribution overseas tourism makes to economies and communities across the island of Ireland.
Previously, Alice spent 19 years leading large scale commercial organisations at Google. As Managing Director, UK & Ireland Customer Solutions, she helped hundreds of thousands of businesses to digitise and succeed online. During a period based in London, Alice led Google's own consumer marketing, growing iconic brands like Google Chrome, Maps and Gmail to market leading positions.
Alice is passionate about tourism and has not let a year of her life go by without holidaying around the island of Ireland. From 2018 to 2023, she served on the Board of Fáilte Ireland – the Irish national tourism development authority – with oversight of investments to strengthen tourism offerings and support industry through the Covid period. She is honoured to serve as Chief Executive with Tourism Ireland since September 2023.
About Jim
Jim Power has worked as an economist in the private sector for over 35 years. He is owner manager of Jim Power Economics, an economic and financial consultancy, which he set up in 2009.
He was previously Treasury Economist at AIB (1987-1991), Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland Group (1992-2000) and Chief Economist Friends First Group (2000 to 2018). He is a board director of Love Irish Food. He is a member of the Institute of Directors in Ireland. He successfully completed the Institute of Directors Diploma examinations in Company Direction in 2022 and is now busily looking for board positions!!!!.
In February 2021, Jim and Chris Johns launched their own Podcast 'The Other Hand', which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcasts hosts.
He lives in Dublin and is a native of Waterford. He comes from a farming background.
About Eoghan
Eoghan is the CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the representative body for Irish tourism and hospitality interests. Eoghan is passionate about Irish tourism and its potential and has worked in the sector for 20 years, previously with O'Mara Travel and Heritage Island. Eoghan is a Board Director of the St Patrick's Festival, Dublinia and was Chairman of the charity War Child Ireland.
In his earlier career he was Procurement Executive with Diageo in London and Dublin.
Eoghan is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Management Institute and has been CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) since September 2015.
About Anne
Anne was appointed CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust in 2018 and leads a team of over 100 colleagues and 300 volunteers across properties in the Trust's care at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens, Cork; The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, Roscommon; Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens, Wexford; and 11 Parnell Square, Dublin. She is Deputy Chair of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) and Deputy Chair of AVEA, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, where she will take over as Chair in October 2024.
Prior to her current role, Anne held many executive and non-executive directorship roles, spanning both the public sector and commercial enterprises, across financial services, media, and renewable energy sectors, as well as in non-profits and cultural institutions.
About Ruth
Ruth Andrew's career in Irish tourism began in the hotel sector in the mid-eighties, working as a marketing/sales professional in some of Ireland's then largest hotel chains – Doyle Hotel and Great Southern Hotel Groups.
She established her own marketing/sales consultancy service in the late '90's, providing marketing communications, coaching & mentoring and business development expertise to a wide range of Irish Tourism industry businesses in a variety of sectors.
As Chief Executive for the ITOA, Incoming Tour Operators Association-Ireland, a position she has held since 2006, she also works with AVEA, the Association of Visitor Experience and Attractions, as special advisor to the Board. In 2019, she accepted the two-year term as Chairperson of ITIC, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, which was extended by a year to assist the industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. She was instrumental in guiding the industry during this difficult time as Chair of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce. Ruth has served on many industry and advisory boards.
She was appointed as Chair of Fáilte Ireland in October 2023.
About Francis
Francis, who was born in Dublin, studied hotel management for four years and after working in a number of hotels he commenced working as a manager in the Park Hotel Kenmare. In 1980, an opportunity arose to purchase the property, and Francis summoned all his entrepreneurial skills to raise the funds. Francis Brennan extended wonderful and welcoming hospitality in this marvelous five-star hotel. Luxurious rooms and suites, inspiring surroundings and exemplary discreet personal service were at the pulse of ensuring visitors enjoyed the ultimate guest experience. The property was sold in 2023.
Francis and his brother John both present At Your Service on Irish National TV and are regular contributors to newspapers, TV, and radio on a range of issues from hospitality to commentary in Ireland in general.
Francis Brennan the Collection is now entering its 9th year in Dunnes Stores. It offers a hotel lifestyle collection for private homes and has expanded considerably since its inception due to quality and design of the pieces.
Francis is the author of 9 best-selling books covering topics from etiquette, how to keep a perfect home to travel all based on his own experiences. His most recent publication is "Age is Just a Number", written to mark his 70th birthday in 2023.
Francis travels extensively and is constantly seeking new opportunities and ideas to enhance his business portfolio. He is regarded as one of Ireland's leading brains in the Irish hospitality sector and is both forward thinking and visionary in his outlook.
About Catherine
Catherine was appointed CEO of AVEA, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, in 2022. Having spent the early part of her career in operations, sales, and marketing in the hotel sector, including Great Southern Hotels and Gresham Hotel Group plc, latterly Catherine's interests lie in research, advocacy and representation for the wider tourism sector.
Catherine is a Director of ITIC, and Chair of the Five Lamps Arts Festival. She has a BA in European Studies from Trinity, an MSc in Hospitality Management from TU Dublin, and postgraduate diplomas from the UCD Smurfit Business School and Trinity's Tangent School.
About Daniel
A native of Waterford, Daniel Mulhall is a former Irish diplomat, author and commentator, who has served as Ireland's Ambassador to Malaysia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. He was a member of the Irish Government's delegation to the negotiations that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement (1998).
Since his retirement in 2022, he has been Global Distinguished Professor of Irish Studies at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, Parnell Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge and a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics, Harvard University. He is Honorary President of the Yeats Society (Sligo) and a consultant with the global law firm, DLA Piper, Rockwood Public Affairs, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Carlichauns Entertainment, an animated children's entertainment venture based on Irish folklore.
He is the author of Ulysses: A Reader's Odyssey (New Island Books, 2022) and Pilgrim Soul: W.B. Yeats and the Ireland of his Time (New Island Books, 2023). He has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London and of Waterford, and has been inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame.
About Peter
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Peter Burke is Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. He previously served as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning.
Before being appointed to the government, Peter sat on the Oireachtas Finance and Public Accounts Committees and has been a frequent media commentator on tax and financial issues.
He was born in Mullingar, Ireland and attended National University of Ireland, Galway where he studied Commerce. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession with ten years' experience in the private sector. Peter served as a Councillor on Westmeath County Council from 2007 until he was elected to the Dáil in 2016. He is married to Olivia and they have two young sons, Leo and Ted.
About Colin
Colin Hunt was appointed Chief Executive Officer of AIB and an Executive Director on the AIB Board in March 2019. He joined AIB in August 2016 as Managing Director, Wholesale, Institutional & Corporate Banking Division.
Prior to joining AIB, he was Managing Director at Macquarie Capital where he led the development of its business in Ireland. Previously, he was a Special Policy Adviser at the Departments of Transport and Finance, Research Director and Chief Economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers, Head of Trading Research and Senior Economist at Bank of Ireland Group Treasury and a country risk analyst at NatWest.
He has a PhD in Economics from Trinity College, Dublin and degrees in Commerce & Economics from University College, Cork. He served as a Non-Executive Director of Aer Lingus Group plc from 2008 to 2014. Colin is the President and Board member of Ibec, a Board member of The Ireland Funds, Ireland Chapter, and was President 2021/2022 of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.
About Mark
Mark Little is an entrepreneur and journalist working to understand the impact of technology on media and democracy.
Mark is the co-founder of Kinzen, which used AI and human analysis to detect online harms, and the founder of Storyful, the world's first social newsagency.
Mark has worked on trust and safety issues at Spotify, and developed media partnerships for Twitter. He is a former TV presenter and foreign correspondent for RTE, and was a member of the Future of Media Commission, tasked with mapping the future of public media in Ireland.
Mark is a former TV anchor and foreign correspondent for RTE, where he spent the first twenty years of his career.
About Timmy
Timmy Mallett – beloved iconic face on UK TV and Radio since the 1980s with award winning shows including Wide Awake Club, Wacaday, Mallett's Mallet, Timmy Towers and Timmy on the Tranny pop radio shows.
Number one around the world with million seller 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' in conjunction with Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1990.
Internationally collected Fine artist in oils and watercolours. His artwork is eagerly sought by discerning fans.
Renowned Author – including his acclaimed memoirs Utterly Brilliant – My Life's Journey, framed around cycling the Camino De Santiago across Europe
Celeberated legendary Cycle tourer – has completed solo circumnavigations of Britain and Ireland as well as pedalling throughout Europe.
In modern parlance Timmy is recognised as an influencer with a keen social media presence and a tourism ambassador in many regions of the UK and Ireland.
About Dermot
Dermot Crowley was appointed CEO of Dalata in November 2021, having joined the company as Deputy CEO in 2012. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in Dalata's growth, including overseeing the successful IPO in 2014 and leading the €450m acquisition of Moran Bewleys Hotels in 2015. Dermot has been instrumental in shaping Dalata's brand portfolio, fostering a culture of innovation, and prioritizing sustainability, all of which have contributed to the company's accelerated growth under his leadership.
Before joining Dalata, Dermot gained extensive experience across various industries holding senior roles at Proctor & Gamble, Ion Equity, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, Renault Ireland, and Forte Hotels. Notably, between 2000 and 2006, he was Head of Acquisitions and Development at Jurys Doyle, where he led the successful rollout of the Jurys Inn brand in the UK.
In 2025, Dermot and his team led a comprehensive strategic review of Dalata, initiated in March, with the aim of optimizing capital opportunities and enhancing shareholder value. The process concluded in July 2025 with the acceptance of a €1.2 billion takeover offer from a Scandinavian consortium comprising Pandox and Eiendomsspar. This delivered exceptional shareholder value.
Dermot is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, having trained with PwC, and holds a first-class honours Business degree from University College Cork.
ITIC Conference 2025 Terms & Conditions
DELEGATE REGISTRATIONS
TERMS OF BOOKING – Conference Registration
- The term Organisers as listed below includes ITC Conference 2025 organising committees and Keynote PCO.
- Registrations are accepted only on full completion of the online registration form.
- No booking will be confirmed until payment is received in full.
- Bookings or changes will not be accepted by telephone, cancellations and or changes must be sent in writing to the registration desk at ITICreg@keynotepco.ie
- There is no refund for non-attendance.
- A name change on a paid registration will be accepted up to 14 days prior to the Conference, after that date a charge of €10 will apply.
- Payment by invoice/bank transfer will incur a €25 non-refundable administration charge.
- There is no administration charge for payment by MasterCard or VISA.
- All fees/rates are quoted in Euro €, all bank transfer fees/charges are the responsibility of the participant.
- All refunds requested prior to the 1st of August 2025 are subject to cancellation terms listed below and subject to a €25.00 processing fee.
- All refunds requested from the 1st of August 2025 are subject to cancellation terms listed below and subject to a €25.00 processing fee.
- The Organisers reserve the right to alter any of the programme or other arrangements for this Conference; including cancellation or postponement of the event should unforeseen circumstances require it. The Organisers accept no responsibility for resulting costs or inconvenience to participants in this case.
- The Organisers will not be held liable for any loss or damage of personal items of attendees or injury caused at any venue used in connection with the Conference.
- Force Majeure: The Organisers shall not be deemed to be in breach of this registration agreement or otherwise liable to the delegate for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this agreement as a result of an event or series of connected events outside the reasonable control of the Organisers (including, without limitation, acts of God, floods, lightning, storm, fire, explosion, war, military operations, acts or threats of terrorism, strike action, lock-outs or other industrial action or a pandemic, epidemic or other widespread illness).
CANCELLATION TERMS – Conference Registration
Delegate Cancellations
- All cancellations and/or changes must be sent in writing to ITICreg@keynotepco.ie
- Cancellation refers to complete and/or partial cancellation of registrations and social events.
- Cancellation fees are incurred as follows:
Cancellations received prior to the 1st of August 2025 – full refund less administration fee of €25.00
Between the 1st of August 2025 and the 31st of August 2025 – 50% refund less administration fee of €25.00
From the 1st of September 2025 – No refund for cancelled registrations
Delegate Non-Attendance
- Should the delegate be unable to attend due to circumstances beyond their control, cancellation fees are subject
to terms listed above. This includes the delegate being unable to travel into Ireland from their country, due to
either their own country's travel restrictions or the Irish Government's travel restrictions – this includes refusal of
travel visa application.
Cancellation of Conference by the Organisers
- Should the Organisers completely cancel the Conference, with no content or sessions being available on-line, registrations will be refunded in full less a €25 processing fee.
- Under these circumstances the Organisers are not liable for any other expenses incurred, this includes travel and accommodation costs – delegates are encouraged to have sufficient travel insurance in place to cover such other costs.
Postponement of Conference
- Should the committee need to reschedule the Conference, all registration fees will be transferred to cover attendance on the new Conference dates – no processing fees will apply in this case.
- Should the delegate not wish to accept attendance on the new date they may cancel their registration, in such cases cancellations will be governed by the cancellation terms as outlined above.
- Under these circumstances the Organisers are not liable for any other expenses incurred, this includes travel and accommodation costs – delegates are encouraged to have sufficient travel insurance in place to cover such other costs.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS – Conference Registration
Travel and Medical Insurance
- Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance. The Conference fee does not include insurance. We strongly recommend that, when registering for the Conference and making travel arrangements, a travel and/or equipment insurance policy be taken out to cover any loss, cancellation, medical costs, etc. Refunds will not be offered outside of the terms and conditions above, so delegates should ensure they contact their insurance company to ensure sufficient cover is in place from the time of booking. The Organisers do not take responsibility for any delegate, speaker, or exhibitor failing to insure their travel and attendance.
CONFERENCE AGENDA*
10:00
Welcome by MC Dearbhail McDonald
Award-winning broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald welcomes delegates and outlines the exciting agenda ahead.
10:05
Opening video: "State of the Nation – how is Irish tourism faring in these uncertain times"
10:10
Opening address by ITIC Chair Niall MacCarthy
Niall MacCarthy, MD of Cork Airport and Chair of ITIC, outlines how Irish tourism can be responsibly ambitious as he outlines industry opportunities and challenges.
10:15
Fireside chat with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment, Peter Burke TD
A week before Budget 2026, Minister Burke discusses his tourism policies and priorities.
10:40
Mark Little – "Media, Technology and Democracy"
Renowned tech entrepreneur and former broadcaster Mark Little discusses a volatile geopolitical landscape.
11:25
Video: "Growth opportunity – Ireland's Ancient East"
11:30
Coffee break
12:00
Fireside chat with AIB CEO and IBEC President Colin Hunt
Dearbhail in discussion with AIB's CEO about the Irish economy, challenges for business sector and finances for SMEs.
12:30
Ireland from a bike
Timmy Mallett chats with Dearbhail about the recent completion of his cycle around Ireland.
13:00
Lunch
14:00
Industry Leaders Panel: Tourism performance, priorities and policies.
Siobhan McManamy (Tourism Ireland), Ruth Andrews (Fáilte Ireland) and Dermot Crowley (Dalata Hotel Group) discuss Irish tourism's outlook.
14:40
ITIC Deputy Chair Anne O'Donoghue unveils the 'Special Recognition Award' winner for an Irish tourism hero.
14.55
Francis Brennan (At Your Service) discusses the importance of Ireland's famed "céad míle fáilte".
15:25
Panel discussion: Can tourism prosper in uncertain times?
Jim Power (economist), Dan Mulhall (former Ambassador), and Catherine Flanagan (AVEA) in conversation.
15:55
Wrap up chat with ITIC CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh
Dearbhail concludes the conference with a discussion with ITIC's CEO.
16:00
Conference ends with networking wine reception until 17:00.