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| MARCH, 2007 |
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Home
At First’s popular Central Ireland staffer Ann
Toohey has received a special citation from Failte Ireland.
Last month when Ireland’s National Tourism Development
Authority Board Failte Ireland
announced its “Irish Welcome Awards” for 2006,
Ann Toohey was cited as one of those “who made a
difference” in Irish tourism for the past year. Failte Ireland
certified Ann’s “special contribution to the Irish Tourism
Industry”. |
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“What I
like best about my work is
meeting people |
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When the girls were younger and all at home, Ann
was very involved with local school activities. When they got
older and went away to school, Ann looked for something
new. Then she answered a help-wanted ad in the local
paper. An American travel company called Home At First
had an opening for a new local representative in Central
Ireland. Following a personal interview Ann was offered and
accepted the position in April 2006. In May Ann began her
training and was quickly working with Home At First guests. “I just love meeting people,” Ann says. “There is nothing about the work that I really dislike.” Early on, Ann faced a challenging test, and learned important lessons about Home At First guests. “Helping the family who had all the problems — I remember how thankful they were of the little bit I did for them. They were lovely.” Ann enjoys introducing Home At First guests to Ireland. “Americans are always so surprised to learn about how often the Irish visit with each other in their homes, and are especially welcoming when someone moves into a new home. I love the Irish country life, and I love my home. I love walking, hurling (the traditional Irish bat-and-ball sport followed passionately in North Tipp), rugby, and, of course, shopping!” “One night I took Home At First guests to a country pub called Johnny Ryan’s of Carney, which is very isolated. One of the Home At First guests — a lady aged 84 — asked one of the pub regulars if she could sit on his knee. He was a local guy and he nearly died. We had great fun that night.” Ann also likes travel. “If the weather is good, I think Galway (city) is the nicest place in Ireland. I like to go to the sun: Spain or the Canary Islands. I would love to go to Australia or America. I’m soon going to Rome, and I would love to go to Lourdes (France), as my mum went there before she died.” As for long-term aspirations, Ann’s are modest and sincere: “I hope the good Lord leaves me to finish rearing my girls. After that, I hope I have the health to continue working.” We think it’s no wonder that Ann’s Home At First guests often write to thank her for her help, and that at least one of them nominated her for the 2006 Irish Welcome Award. “I am a very outgoing person — what you see is what you get. If I can help someone I will. I never hold a grudge. I love talking to people but at the back of it I can be very shy. Last but not least I love my job at Home At First. When you meet Ann Toohey, you can be sure you will receive a real Irish welcome. |
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— Meet the Irish. Like Ann Toohey. Fly away with us to CENTRAL IRELAND — |
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