Life as an Intern at Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Cavan

I started working for the Hotel as an intern in 2010 and part on the Bachelor of Business studies in Hospitality Mgmt. Initially, I did not intent to go into the Hotel business as my main focus was to work from contract and event catering companies. However, due to the condition of the economy and recession hitting hard, finding an appropriate establishment proved almost impossible. Pre-recession, there were many more different career paths that students could choose from the hospitality sector i.e. Hotels, Restaurants, Hospital Catering Management and Contract Catering Companies to name a few. A small number of students took the option of travelling abroad for their internship this year to countries such as America, Europe and China.

When choosing what direction I was taking towards my internship I had a number of options lined out. As I qualified as a chef prior to this course I was immediately attracted to areas associated with catering/ the production of food. I was extremely interested in hospital catering, contract catering and event catering companies. Firstly, my lecturer Marie and I researched some hospital catering companies around Ireland, and then my lecturer was in contact with a company in Northern Ireland which specialises in hospital catering around four or five large hospitals in Northern Ireland and she asked if there were any available positions for interns with the company, and the lady representing the company seemed to be interested and asked for my details to be sent and there may be a position in Craigavon Area Hospital for an Intern. After a month she replied to say that due to complications around fairness and equality issues, they were not able to take me on at present.  I applied to lots of other hospitals around Ireland and all replies stated that there was an embargo on recruitment in the public service. I then started contacting contract catering companies around the whole of Ireland such as Aramark/Campbell Catering, Sodexo, Compass, Kylemore and Fitzers throughout January and March to be told there was no positions available at present but we will contact you if anything arises. Having no luck, I got in contact with a large number of hotels around Ireland looking for a position in any department or even an interview, but unfortunately more hotels were feeling the effects of the recession and where unsure about their situation for the months ahead and that they would be in contact with me if there had been any changes.

In mid to late March I started to have a number of replies from various hotels across Ireland, firstly, I was called for interview on the 19^th of March 2010 to the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate outside Cavan Town, and in the same week I was called for interview at Ashford Castle in Co Mayo and in Harvey’s Point in Donegal Town. Four days later I had a reply from the Radisson Blu in Cavan asking me to start on the 25^th March to start in food and beverage and conference and banqueting and maybe a day in the kitchen. I was extremely happy to have got a start at the hotel. I am currently working part time at the hotel to date and I am enjoying it to no end, I would wish to say on with group as there track record for internal recruitment in outstanding.

Radisson Blu Farnham Estate is one of the many Radisson Hotels and Resorts in Ireland and worldwide. Radisson Blu is one of the “S” brands associated with the Rezidor Hotel Group in Brussels, Belgium. The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group is made up of five popular brands:

· Radisson Blu - (First Class)

· Park Inn by Radisson - (Mid-Market)

· Regent - (Luxury)

· Country Inn - (Budget)

· Hotel Missoni - (Luxury)

The Radisson Blu was formally known as Radisson SAS which was in partnership with SAS Airlines. In February 2009 President and CEO Kurt Ritter of the Rezidor Hotel Group changed the name of the core brand Radisson SAS to Radisson Blu reflecting the natural end of its link with SAS Airlines following rezidors IPO back in November 2006.

Farnhan Estate is a 400 year old 16^th century Georgian building which was home to the well known Farnham family in Cavan Town. Farnham House is nestled neatly at end of a 1km winding driveway with breath taking scenery and views of the 1,300 acre estate. The hotel is situated in beautiful countryside 3km West of Cavan Town.

In 2004 Farnham Estate was bought over by Roy Mc Cabe, a successful Chemist across Co. Dublin. The Mc Cabe families plans for Farnham Estate were to renovate and extend Farnham Estate into a world class hotel and resort bring centuries of the very best traditions and natural beauty and blend them with contemporary comfort and service creating a resort unlike any other in Ireland. The Mc Cabe family agreed to lease Farnham Estate to the Radisson Blu Group and in early 2005 and work at the estate began. In early 2006 the project was near completesion and the Radisson Franchise was in place. In mid 2006 the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate was opened to the public.