The winners of the 2025 NIHF Receptionist Awards have been revealed. After months of deliberation, the awards were announced by compere, Kim Kelly, at a glittering awards ceremony on May 21 at The Ebrington Hotel, Derry. The high volume of entries from receptionists across Northern Ireland continues to highlight the immense talent and skill within the profession, as well as the high esteem in which the Awards are held. The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the Year’, supported by Net Affinity, was Tara Lodge in Belfast. Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry was awarded second place and The Ebrington Hotel in Derry claimed third place. Meanwhile, the winner of the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast. The runner-up was Ellie Darcy from Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry. The ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry. The runner-up was Shannon Donaldson from The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast and third place went to Leah Clarke from Ten Square Hotel in Belfast. For the first time ever, the competition also awarded two Highly Commended accolades to Lauren Ferguson from Harpers Boutique in Belfast and April Colquhoun from Maldron Hotel Derry. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ category was supported by Guestline. PICTURED BELOW: From left to right, Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast, winner of the Most Promising Receptionist category; compere Kim Kelly; Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry, winner of the Receptionist of the Year category and Nicole Hardy from Tara Lodge in Belfast, winner of the Reception Team of the Year category.

placeholder image — The winners of the 2025 NIHF Receptionist Awards have been revealed. After months of deliberation, the awards were announced by compere, Kim Kelly, at a glittering awards ceremony on May 21 at The Ebrington Hotel, Derry. The high volume of entries from receptionists across Northern Ireland continues to highlight the immense talent and skill within the profession, as well as the high esteem in which the Awards are held. The winner of the ‘Reception Team of the Year’, supported by Net Affinity, was Tara Lodge in Belfast. Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry was awarded second place and The Ebrington Hotel in Derry claimed third place. Meanwhile, the winner of the ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast. The runner-up was Ellie Darcy from Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry. The ‘Most Promising Receptionist’ category was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry. The runner-up was Shannon Donaldson from The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast and third place went to Leah Clarke from Ten Square Hotel in Belfast. For the first time ever, the competition also awarded two Highly Commended accolades to Lauren Ferguson from Harpers Boutique in Belfast and April Colquhoun from Maldron Hotel Derry. The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ category was supported by Guestline. PICTURED BELOW: From left to right, Nataniel Rahn from Crowne Plaza Belfast, winner of the Most Promising Receptionist category; compere Kim Kelly; Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry, winner of the Receptionist of the Year category and Nicole Hardy from Tara Lodge in Belfast, winner of the Reception Team of the Year category.

IN PICTURES: Derry Hotels celebrate success at '2025 NIHF Receptionist Awards'

Published 23rd May 2025, 20:33 GMT

The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel

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From left to right, Shannon Donaldson from The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, runner-up in the Receptionist of the Year category; NIHF President Vicky Green; Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry, winner of the category; Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr and Leah Clarke from Ten Square Hotel, Belfast, awarded third place in the Receptionist of the Year category.

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Celebrating a double success for Shipquay Boutique Hotel in Derry: runner-up in the Reception Team of the Year category and a win for Mairéad McGahan, named Receptionist of the Year.

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The team from Maldron Hotel Derry, (Left to right), Caoimhe Deeney, April Colquhoun (Highly Commended in the Receptionist of the Year category), Kadie Mellon, Shannon Fitzpatrick and Noreen Duffy.

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Why not send your images of any local event, wedding, graduation, a beautiful landscape shot, loved one's birthday, a baptism, a snap of your doting grandparents and anything or anyone else you can think of to Derry Camera Club section on DerryNow! The images will be collated each week and published on DerryNow as part of our weekly Derry Camera Club gallery and the images can also appear in the local papers, Derry News and County Derry Post. For more information scan the QR code below.

Derry Derry City and Strabane District Council

IN PICTURES: Derry Hotels celebrate success at '2025 NIHF Receptionist Awards'

The ‘Receptionist of the Year’ award went to Mairéad McGahan from Shipquay Boutique Hotel

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