Corporate

I’ve been around the block with Bord Failte/Failte Ireland more than a few times with lots of lane changing and gaining a great knowledge of Dublin and indeed Ireland’s tourism landscape. I like golf too !

Favourite place in Dublin

Has to be Bull Island. Growing up nearby and summers of endless fun and splash on Dollymount beach, learning to swim dive and drive (!), and today I spend even more time on it playing golf in my home club Royal Dublin.

Fun fact about me

About the only place in Ireland I haven’t been to is The Skellig Islands ! Still trying to figure how they made Star Wars on it!

My favourite thing about the job

Still learning !

My claim to fame

I suppose if you score the points to win your local rugby team their first trophy in 53 years, I still get the odd free pint!

Having grown up on shores of the Lough Corrib in County Galway, I have always been able to appreciate the beauty of Ireland. With this appreciation, a career in Tourism always seemed to be the obvious choice for me. In 2022, I graduated from Atlantic Technological University with a First-Class Honours Degree, BB in International Tourism Management and immediately launched my career working in Business Events for Fáilte Ireland as part of the Meet in Ireland team, the official MICE brand for the island of Ireland. Having learnt a great deal about this industry from my colleagues, in January 2024, I began the next step in my career, working as Corporate & Incentive Support with the Dublin Convention Bureau, promoting Dublin as a world-class business destination. It has already been an exciting adventure, moving to Dublin’s fair city from Galway, the city of Tribes, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me next.

Favourite place in Dublin & why

My favourite Place in Dublin has to be Killiney Hill, boasting its breathtaking views of Dublin City to the North and County Wicklow ‘The Garden of Ireland’ to the South. Getting here is a breeze, just 20 minutes from the city centre, gliding along the stunning Dublin coastline on the DART to the leafy suburbs of South County Dublin. This tranquil terrain provides the perfect spot to recharge and watch the world go by.

Fun fact about Matthew

Since the age of 6 I have been obsessed with the story of the Titanic. In 2021, I attained my greatest personal achievement and began working in the Titanic Hotel in Belfast. The hotel was formerly the Shipyard headquarters, meaning I got to work in the same building and walked the same halls as those who built the Titanic.

Matthew’s favourite Irish Seanshocail

Seanfhocails are old Irish proverbs full of Knowledge, Wisdom and Humour. My favourite Irish Seanfhocail is ‘Is é an bealach is fearr chun an todhchaí a thuar ná é a chruthú’ which means ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it’. As a young person, this Seanfhocail has always stuck with me, influencing my behaviours and my outlook, both in a personal and professional capacity.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 Irish things would you bring?

If I was stranded on a desert Ireland and could only bring three Irish items they would have to be the following essentials:

– My Irish Aran Sweater
– A lifetime supply of Guinness
– My Mammy

I am new to the DCB team but not to Failte Ireland. I have spent eight happy years dealing directly with the public at the tourist information office at Dublin airport and a further six looking after international media visits. I am a proud Dubliner and delight in showing off our great city to visitors.

Favourite place in Dublin & why

A perfect day for me is a spin out to Howth, a walk on Howth head followed by a pint at the Summit Inn, a stroll back down to the village and late lunch in one of the west pier fish restaurants.

Fun fact about Sandra

I have a masters degree in Spanish Literature and am a fluent speaker.

Sandra’s favourite Irish song

Can I choose two? The romantic in me loves the Furey’s When you were Sweet Sixteen but I can’t deny my long and deep relationship with U2, I struggle to pick a favourite but today I am going with Who’s going to ride your wild horses.

Sandra’s favourite Irish Sport

Gaelic Football, in particular Ladies Football. It has been great to see the female game develop so strongly over the last decade and to see the huge female participation in the sport. It is certainly something I have enjoyed sharing with my daughters.

Profile

I caught the MICE bug early on in my career & thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of it over the years from operations and traveling to weird and wonderful places accompanying groups to Business Development and Management.  

Favourite Place in Dublin

Strolling around St. Stephens Green on a sunny day with my little boy, feeding the ducks & going for a Murphys salted caramel ice cream afterwards.

Fun fact about Aine

Whilst working on an incentive group on the Florida keys, I had to organise the rapid departure of 10 sea planes against a rising tide…the last one left (with a few drops of water in the cabin) in the nick of time with me on it thankfully!

Aine’s favourite thing about her job

I am very proud of our beautiful city, so it’s a pleasure to show International Business Tourism buyers all that we have to offer for their MICE business. I enjoy meeting people from so many different industries and our own industry partners, so it makes for varied and interesting days.

Aine’s claim to fame

In my college days I served Stevie Nicks, Sir Cliff Richard & Belinda Carlisle in the Westbury Hotel & met Sam Neil in a Dublin restaurant one evening while out for dinner.