TORONTO — CIE Tours capped off its 90th anniversary celebrations in the place where it first began – the Emerald Isle.
More than 150 attendees gathered at the Westin Dublin in Dublin, Ireland on Oct. 10 to celebrate the company’s milestone anniversary and the long collaboration between Ireland and North America. Guest of honour Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, described CIE Tours as a leader in Irish tourism, noting how it has brought more than three million tourists to the destination from North America since its inception.
The event, hosted by award-winning Irish journalist and author Dearbhail McDonald, also included welcome words from Fiona Ross, Chair of CIE Group and Elizabeth Crabill, CEO of CIE Tours.
“It has been an honour and truly gratifying to be supported and congratulated by so many tourism partners and government dignitaries,” said Crabill. “CIE Tours is committed to the growth and sustainability of Ireland tourism, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen and further develop our business in this remarkable destination.”
From L-R: Fiona Ross; Lorcan O’Connor; Ireland’s Prime Minister, Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Elizabeth Crabill; and Stephen Cotter
A panel discussion led by Stephen Cotter, COO of CIE Tours, featured two of the company’s suppliers – Martin Feeney, owner of Atlantic Sheepdogs, and Phillip O’Neill, Group General Manager of Dalata Hotel Group – who shared personal stories about working with CIE over the years.
In addition, Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin, known as the ‘Taoiseach,’ sent in a video message to wish CIE Tours congratulations on its anniversary and acknowledged the company’s impact on transatlantic relations.
“You have played an important role in sustaining the special link between Ireland and America over many, many decades. With nine decades of experience and the strongest satisfaction, I am confident that CIE Tours will continue to grow from strength to strength,” said the Prime Minister.
The next day, CIE’s leadership team met with the Taoiseach who spent time reminiscing about his personal connection to the company. His late father, Paddy ‘Champ’ Martin was not only an international boxing champion for Ireland, but was also a Cork-based CIE bus driver for years. The Prime Minister shared stories from his childhood about doing his homework while seated in the back of the No. 4 bus that his father drove in Cork city.
Travelweek recently highlighted CIE’s 90-year history and its many accomplishments in the Spring 2022 edition of Travel Professional. To read the profile, click here.
For more information about CIE Tours and its 90th anniversary celebrations, go to www.cietours.com/90.
