Businesses from across the Ballymena area have joined forces to raise an impressive £12,500 for the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, taking to the River Lagan for a competitive Dragon Boat Race in support of future hospitality talent.

Now in its fourth year, the fundraising event brought together ten teams representing Galgorm Collection, McKeever Group and Tullyglass House Hotel, with generous support from local businesses including Henderson Group, Britvic Ireland, Richmond Marketing and Smyth’s Engineering.

Combining friendly competition with a shared commitment to developing local talent, the event raised vital funds to support the School’s training academies, helping more people access the skills, experience and opportunities needed to build rewarding careers in Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry.

Established in 2021 with initial funding from The Gallaher Trust, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School was founded through a collaboration between three local hotels — Adair Arms Hotel, Galgorm Resort and Tullyglass House Hotel — to address skills development and improve employment opportunities within the sector.

Since its establishment, the registered charity has supported more than 250 people through its training programmes, including its bar, chef and restaurant academies. Alongside securing employment within local hotels, a number of graduates have progressed into supervisory and management positions, demonstrating the opportunities available through practical, industry-focused training.

Northern Ireland Hospitality School

Ashley Douglas, Director of Operations at the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the success of this year’s Dragon Boat Race and incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, supported the teams and contributed to such a fantastic fundraising total.

“The Northern Ireland Hospitality School is all about creating opportunities for people to develop their skills, build confidence and take the first steps towards rewarding careers in hospitality. The funds raised will go directly towards supporting and enhancing our academies, helping us continue to deliver practical training and open doors for future talent.

“To see so many local businesses come together in support of that ambition is hugely encouraging. It demonstrates a real commitment to investing in people and ensuring our hospitality industry has the skilled workforce it needs for the future.”

Competition on the water was equally spirited, with teams battling it out across a series of closely contested races. Ultimately, Roe Valley Resort’s aptly named ‘Roe Row Row Your Boat’ team claimed victory, narrowly beating Galgorm to take the top spot.

Eddie McKeever, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, said: “The Northern Ireland Hospitality School plays an important role in connecting people with the skills, training and opportunities they need to build successful careers within our local hospitality sector.

“Events like the Dragon Boat Race are a fantastic example of what can be achieved when businesses come together with a shared purpose. Not only was there some great competition on the water, but the generosity and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved will make a meaningful difference to the work of the School.

“I’d like to thank all the participating teams, sponsors and supporters for making the event such a success – it was a brilliant family day out, with food, music, dancers and even a few cheer leaders joining in on the fun. Their continued commitment is helping us invest in the next generation of hospitality professionals and strengthen the future of our industry.”

The annual Dragon Boat Race forms part of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School’s wider fundraising efforts, bringing together businesses and industry partners to support training, skills development and long-term employment opportunities across the local hospitality sector.