Donegal hotel owners and staff took a well-earned night off on Tuesday to enjoy the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball.

The annual event is a glamourous celebration of the local hospitality industry and a chance for friends, colleagues and industry figures to catch up and look forward to the year ahead.

This year’s dinner dance was hosted by the Shandon Hotel & Spa, and it was the perfect occasion for the four star coastal hotel to mark three years since it opened on 25th March 2016.

The Shandon Hotel Staff at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

Christie Elliott, Noel Cunningham, and Michael McGrane, Harvey’s Point at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

Karoline and Mary T Sweeney from Castle Grove Country House at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel. Photo Clive Wasson

A glitzy night of outstanding food, drink and entertainment was in store for the 120 guests in the dazzling McCarthy suite.

Derek Arnold of Arnold’s Hotel Dunfanaghy received a special honour from the Donegal IHF for his contribution to local tourism.

A highly-respected and influential hotelier, Mr Arnold was praised as a father figure to many in the industry.

Derek Arnold from Arnold’s Hotel is honoured by the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation at their annual Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Mr Arnold was ‘gobsmacked’ to be presented with the award and paid a warm-hearted tribute to his family, staff and colleagues.

“It’s a complete honour. Tourism has been very important to my whole family. It was tourism all my life,” he said.

“Without the support of my wife, my daughter, and my brother, I don’t think I would have been able to do the things I did, to them, thank you.”

He added: “Arnold’s wouldn’t be here without our staff. Over the years we’ve had a great team who are always behind us, from my grandfather’s day, up to the present day. To them, thank you for keeping Arnold’s going. And that is what keeps the tourism industry going.”

The Arnolds Hotel team at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Paul Diver, Sandhouse Hotel, Maire Aine Gardiner, Michael Lennon, IHF President, Joan Crawford , Failte Ireland and Tim Fenn, CE, IHF at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

Siobhan Barrett Doherty, Seamus Neely, CE Donegal County Council and Carolynne Harisson, Shandon Hotel at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

A surprise was in store for guests at the end of the banquet, as a stern ‘garda’ interrupted proceedings.

However, it soon emerged that he was a singer, who was joined by a hidden waiter for a rousing performance of fun musical numbers and opera. The duo was followed by the Housem8s band, who soon had everyone on their feet to dance the night away.

Singers Secreto entertaining guests at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Singers Secreto entertaining guests at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

See more photos from the Donegal IHF Ball below:

Anne Louise Scott, George Scott, Louise Walsh, Cormac Walsh, Aisling Vaughan, Keri Travers and Emma Logue from the Olde Glen Bar at the Irish Hotel’s Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

The Housem8s Band at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Sharon Ward, Helena Gallagher, Siobhan Barrett Doherty, Patrica Sharkey and Gert Eksteen at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

The staff from Harvey’s Point at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

Marty Carlin gets Linda McKeown, Noreen McClafferty and Orla O’Flannigan in the picture at the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Donegal Branch annual Dinner Dance in the Shandon Hotel on Tuesday night last. Photo Clive Wasson

Teresa White, Noel Cunningham and Shiela Russell from Harvey’s Point at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Stephen Cassidy and David Walsh representing MCM Brands at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Cocktail reception at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Chris Healy and Emma Davis from Gat the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Claire Doran and John Casey (Rosapenna Hotel) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotel Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

David Cahill (Redcastle Hotel), Eithne Cox, Gary Anderson (Pallas Foods), and Donal Cox (Lough Eske Castle) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Gareth McDonnell, Shiloh Kelly, Christine Gallagher and Brian Gallagher from Station House Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

The Abbey Hotel team with Máire Áine Gardiner (Failte Ireland) at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Jacqueline McBride, Paul Boyle, Ursula Boyle, Nollag Rusell and Elaine O’Doherty from McGettigan’s Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Vicky Kee and Noel Pearson at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Kim Kelly and Grainne Dixon at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

The Waterfront Hotel team, Marie McGarvey, GM Martina Rafferty, Pat Boyle, Anne McEleney and Majella Bonner at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Linda McKeown, Noreen McClafferty and Orla O’Flanagan from the Silver Tassie Hotel at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

David Cahill, Jim Creaney and William Tindal at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

Mary T Sweeney and Karoline Sweeney from Castle Grove Country House at the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball at the Shandon Hotel. Photo Rachel McLaughlin

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