A Welcome win for Norma's guesthouse

The welcome extended to visitors at her Ard na Greine farmhouse in Ballinascarthy, Clonakilty, has won Norma Walsh this year's bed & breakfast category in the 2003 Fáilte Ireland Irish Welcome Awards.

The awards were presented by John O'Donoghue, TD and Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, at a reception at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.

This is the second year of the Fáilte Ireland Irish Welcome Awards, which have been designed to recognise the achievements of people working in tourism, and those who have made the traditional Irish welcome, 'céad míle fáilte', internationally famous.

In excess of 2,300 nominations were received by Fáilte Ireland, from tourists in 34 countries, with entries from as far a field as India and Uruguay, Swaziland and Israel, as well as from Europe and the USA.

"The key findings of the most recent Fáilte Ireland Visitor Attitudes Survey for 2002 are that Ireland continues to rate highly for the beauty of its scenery, and for the friendliness and hospitality of the Irish people", said Minister O'Donoghue.

Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, Ms Gillian Bowler, said "what makes the Irish Welcome Awards so meaningful is that the nominations have been received from tourists themselves - visitors who have experienced first-hand the genuine warmth form which the Irish are renowned."

Nominated by John Browne, form Letchworth, in Hertfordshire, England, Norma Walsh epitomises what is best about the Irish: warm and welcoming; hospitable and homely; caring and generous.

Norma ensures the guests are introduced to one another, usually over tea, cakes and scones, Mr. Brown said. Nothing is too much trouble for Norma: if you need a lift to Clonakilty, she will drive you there; if you have limited English, she will travel to the airport to collect you; if you are feeling unwell, she will nurse you; if it's craic, music and dancing you want, Norma will accompany you to the village pub.

As well as being presented with the National Fáilte Ireland Irish Welcome Award, which was specially handcrafted by the silversmith, Seamus Gill, Norma was presented with holiday vouchers valued at €500.