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From fine dining to golf tourism: Four careers built on creativity and connection

Tourism careers can begin with a passion, a placement, or a new opportunity. Anna Hevers followed her interest in food into professional kitchens. John Burchill built a long career in hospitality after studying culinary arts in Cork. Fiona Togher brought corporate experience to a community golf club in Mayo. Claire Derousseaux creates memorable experiences for international visitors travelling to Ireland.

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Employers supporting careers

Goldie, Hayfield Manor Hotel, Carne Golf Links, and Odyssey International each took part in Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme. Each story shows how tourism careers can combine creativity, progression and people-focused work.

Four careers in tourism

Anna Hevers, Chef at Goldie

Anna Hevers is a chef at Goldie, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Cork. She always had a passion for food and for working in restaurants.

During her placement year studying hotel management at the Shannon College of Hotel Management at the University of Galway, she worked front of house at The Grove, a five-star country retreat in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.

After college, Anna won a scholarship to attend Le Cordon Bleu London, where she studied cuisine and patisserie. She later joined Goldie, where she values the balance created by a four-day working week.

Anna describes hospitality as fast-moving and rewarding. She also appreciates the opportunity to learn from more experienced people in the industry.

At Goldie we work a four-day week. The result is that I’m full of energy, ready to go, full of passion, and not burned out.

John Burchill, Operations Manager at Hayfield Manor Hotel

John Burchill is Operations Manager at Hayfield Manor Hotel, a five-star property in Cork, that he describes as a 365-day-a-year, 24/7 human business.

He says tourism is a people-focused profession where relationships can last for years and sometimes generations.

You get to build great relationships with customers. Some last generations. You become part of the life of that family.

Fiona Togher, General Manager at Carne Golf Links

Fiona Togher is General Manager at Turasoireacht Iorrais Teo, which owns and operates Carne Golf Links in Co Mayo. Before moving into tourism, she worked in corporate roles including in the financial services and local government in London.

After leaving a role connected to the Erris peninsula in north Mayo, Fiona agreed to review operations at the not-for-profit Carne Golf Links. She saw potential in the facilities and began by offering her expertise pro-bono.

Fiona describes tourism as a profession built around positive experiences and human connection. She values working with people who arrive ready to enjoy their time away.

It’s about selling happiness. I work with people who are on holidays and in good form. There’s a feel-good factor to the job.

Claire Derousseaux, Senior Account and Project Manager at Odyssey International

Claire Derousseaux is Senior Account and Project Manager at Dublin-based Odyssey International, which specialises in incentive travel. Her role involves creating memorable experiences for guests visiting Ireland through reward programmes and corporate events.

Claire describes the work as both creative and diverse. She manages programme planning, budgets and logistics while designing experiences tailored to each client.

She values the variety the role brings and the opportunity to create different experiences for every client.

I work at a desk, manage budgets through Excel, and have a bible where every aspect of each programme is mapped out.

Tourism careers combine creativity and progression

These careers span hospitality, food, golf tourism, and international events. Each role requires different skills, but all four stories reflect the same theme. Tourism gives people opportunities to grow, build relationships and create experiences that matter to others.

The stories also show how employers can support development through placements, mentoring, flexibility and long-term progression.

Build a workplace where people can grow

The next great tourism career can start in your business. Build a team that grows with your business. Access tools, training and support designed for tourism employers.