Community, Connection & The Heart of Irish Hospitality

Hotels in Ireland are evolving. They’re no longer just places to stay, they are community hubs, cultural anchors, and trusted partners in local life.
In this month’s edition of The View, The iNUA Collection explores how community engagement strengthens Irish hospitality, supports local identity, and builds reputation that lasts generations.

We spoke with two hotel leaders whose work shows what community-fist hospitality looks like every day:

• Sharon Deegan, Director of Sales at The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, a property with a 55-year legacy rooted in Kildare life.
• Niamh Kenny, Director of Sales at Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone, a Midlands hub shaped by regional partnerships and local pride.

Their experiences highlight a shared truth across iNUA: when a hotel invests in its community, the community invests back.

Sharon Deegan: Community, Connection & Local Impact at The Keadeen Hotel

Sharon Deegan is a Co. Wicklow native now living in Kildare, and recently stepped into her role as Director of Sales at The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. With over 13 years’ experience at the property, Sharon previously served as Conference & Event Manager, leading high-profile events and building deep client relationships.

Her focus now is on strengthening The Keadeen’s market presence while protecting the hotel’s best-known quality: genuine hospitality built on local trust.

What community events has The Keadeen supported recently?

The Keadeen has hosted an extraordinary range of events over its 55-year history, from international conferences and concerts to gala dinners and large-scale fundraisers. But as Sharon notes, the hotel’s true pride comes from its longstanding relationships with local groups:

• Sports clubs hosting awards nights
• Charity concerts
• Resource centre fundraisers
• Milestone family celebrations

The events team works hand-in-hand with organisers “from earliest planning stages right through to the final applause.” Success, for The Keadeen, isn’t just attendance numbers, it’s what the night means to the people behind it.

Has community engagement improved brand awareness?

Yes, measurably. Community support has been embedded in The Keadeen’s ethos for decades. By helping local groups create events they otherwise couldn’t, the hotel has become:

• A trusted venue for generations of families
• A community hub for Kildare life
• A go-to space for local business gatherings

Sharon captures it simply: “That kind of brand awareness can’t be bought; it’s built through genuine relationships and shared history.”

How vital is a hotel’s role in supporting local initiatives?

Hotels have a unique role in sustaining community traditions. At The Keadeen, this often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but with real impact. A key example is their weekly Monday Social Dancing event, which offers locals:

• Companionship
• Routine
• Warmth
• Intergenerational connection

Small recurring moments like these reinforce the fabric of a town, and Sharon sees supporting them as both privilege and responsibility.

Niamh Kenny: Community Partnerships & Regional Engagement at Radisson Blu Athlone

Niamh Kenny has been with the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone for over six years, rising from Sales Manager to Director of Sales. As an Athlone native, she brings a natural understanding of local culture, and relationships built on trust. Her leadership reflects how iNUA hotels serve as regional gathering points as well as visitor destinations.

What role do local events play in sales and marketing?

Local events are core to Radisson Blu Athlone’s strategy. Sitting on the River Shannon, centrally placed in the Midlands, the hotel naturally serves as a hub for:

• Sporting fixtures
• Cultural weekends
• Charity events
• Local business and networking gatherings

Each event creates opportunity to increase visibility, grow partnerships, and support the people who support the hotel.

How do events build long-term community relationships?

Community visibility is relationship-building in its most authentic form. For Niamh:

• Athlone relationships are built on familiarity and consistency
• People remember who shows up and supports local causes
• Presence signals the hotel is invested in more than business

Hosting, sponsoring, or participating shows commitment to Athlone’s people and traditions, and creates lasting goodwill.

What emerging community trends are exciting?

Two clear trends are shaping community events right now. The first is the growing move toward sustainable community gatherings, with organisers prioritising lower-carbon choices, zero-waste planning, greener energy use and locally sourced, eco-friendly supply chains. Supporting these kinds of events not only benefits the environment, it also reinforces Radisson Blu Athlone’s position as a responsible, community-focused hotel that is aligned with how guests and local groups want to meet today. The second trend is a rising enthusiasm for cultural and heritage-led events. More people want to celebrate place, history and local identity, and Athlone is perfectly placed for this, with its rich stories spanning from Athlone Castle, Viking heritage and the Shannon. These experiences create pride locally, attract visitors regionally, and help position the hotel as an active part of the community fabric rather than simply a venue.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every partner, client and community group we’re proud to work alongside across Ireland. Your trust, support and collaboration continue to shape who we are, and they remain the true heartbeat of our hotels. The stories shared in this edition of The View are a timely reminder that great hospitality is built on people, place and connection. From all of us at The iNUA Hotel Collection, we wish you a wonderful Christmas season and look forward to welcoming you again in the new year.