Our People

As a hotel group, we strongly believe in our people. We encourage our staff to strive for balance between work and living. We offer recreational incentives to cultivate an enjoyable working environment. We communicate and develop our core values to build an internal value system and we offer ongoing training and promotion opportunities.

Alan Morrison - F&B Manager at Galway Bay Hotel

Hi I’m Alan and I’m outside our new Beachfront Bistro here opposite the promenade at Galway Bay Hotel. Ironically, at a time when we have been closed, we have never been so busy, developing and improving our product and our processes – for our colleagues and for our customers. The team here have received the best Barista training in the country, and with since we opened two weeks ago, we have attracted great numbers off the promenade.

Hodson Bay Hotel Bedroom re-furb

Hi, I’m Daniel Cross here at Hodson Bay. In addition to our new outdoor dining, let me give you a sneak peak to the new rooms you can also look forward to. Over the lockdown, when works could take place, we’ve taken full advantage of the lockdown time and here’s a sneak peak of what we’ve been up to. This project was planned for some time and with this time has allowed us to crack on and we’ve really made great progress. So to all my team who are returning to us, we cannot wait to see you again.

Joanna Mockler - Human Resources at Galway Bay Hotel

Hi, my name is Joanna, Human Resources at Galway Bay Hotel. Over the lockdown, we have made huge strides in the training and development of our teams right across Hodson Bay Group. For example, to date, we have completed over 750 training modules via Failte Ireland’s Training Platform across all departments. And in March, many of the team here embarked on a ten week course on leadership management with the Enterprise Training Board.

OSEM

Hi my name is Jill Shorthall, here at Hodson Bay. I’m delighted to have been involved in the Installation of a new Sales and Events package. OSEM. Its my role in the group to coordinate the Meeting & Events and Weddings at the hotel here. This involves the careful planning of all detail, and the OSEM project will make like a whole lot easier for me and for my team. We are really looking forward to welcoming all our staff back for our re-opening.

Catherine Hession - Front Office Manager at Galway Bay Hotel

Hi I’m Catherine, Head of Front Office here at Galway bay Hotel. Similar to Joanna and Alan, behind the scenes we have taken on two major projects. Firstly, we are right in the middle of replacing our Property Management System with the most up to date cloud based Opera 20.4. What’s great about this project, is that all of my team, and indeed all teams using this platform will have the opportunity to learn every aspect of the system from the best trainers available.

Yew Point at Hodson Bay

Hi, my name is Tim Hayes of Hodson bay Hotel. I’m here amidst 145 acres of beautiful parkland, hugging the shores of lough rea, which is host to so much native wildlife, ancient trees and unique plant life. When you come and visit us this summer, our guests can look forward to so much included guided walks, picnic delivery here under the tree, Meditation and Yoga on the Hill here or simply a 5 Km run around the Point. So to all our returning colleagues, I really look forward to taking you on this new journey as we develop Yew Point at Hodson Bay.

Staff Celebrations

Each year Hodson Bay Group creates a Staff Celebration Night to celebrate their successes over the past year. It is a great way to create memorable staff moments and includes exceptional food, fun, dancing and laughter. This annual celebration strengthens staff bonds and allows new staff members to meet others from various departments.

Sports & Social

The Hodson Bay Group believes that Sports and Social Events are a recognised effective means of acknowledging employees’ contribution and developing a positive culture within the Hotels. Employees are encouraged to attend, participate in and enjoy social events. Highlights of the Sports and Social Calendar for the Hodson Bay Group are:
Annual Staff Party including Overnight Stay, 5 Course Meal with Entertainment and Award Ceremony, Annual Summer BBQ and Children’s Christmas Party.

Employee of the Year

Hodson Bay Group recognises the value of all our staff. We award one employee from each hotel annually with the ‘Employee of the Year Award’. This award recognises ability, participation and honesty across teams; passion, flexibility and excellence with all members of staff and our guests.

Core Values

Hodson Bay Group launched the company’s core values in June 2017. Since then, Hodson Bay Group has continued to develop and refine the concept of the core values. Respect is the over arching value encapsulating our 5 core values of Fun, Passion, Excellence Honesty and Flexibility.

Benefits for Our People

• Healthcare schemes
• Free meals on duty
• Complimentary use of Leisure Centre
• Bike to work scheme
• Subsidised Taxi Service
• Employee of month & year
• Dry cleaning of uniform
• Sports and Social Club
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Spa Discounts

Learn More…

Gary O’Hanlon – Past Employee

Former chef at Galway Bay Hotel, Gary O’Hanlon, is currently Executive Chef of Chateau du Coudreceau in Loury, France (formerly, Head Chef at VM at Viewmount House). He writes a weekly column in The Irish Times Magazine, offering readers interesting ways to use Irish artisanal produce. He is also one of the Chefs featured on the television programme ‘The Restaurant’. Gary reflects with fondness about his career with Galway Bay Hotel and recommends Hodson Bay Group for all young chefs looking to progress their career.