You've Been Served: Noel Cunningham

Noel Cunningham is the general manager of Harvey’s Point Hotel in Co Donegal. www.harveyspoint.com

Noel has also written a guide to etiquette inspired by his time in the hospitality industry. ‘Noel Cunningham’s Guide To Modern Manners’ is available now. www.obrien.ie

"I really began in hospitality as a child — there were no restrictive age laws in those days! I worked in Fintragh House, a local guesthouse in beautiful Donegal. Now I proudly general manage the beautiful Harvey’s Point, or rather I lead a wonderful team who make my life incredibly easier to manage!

"In hotels, routine goes out the door! Today I breakfasted with a renowned travel magazine writer, I recorded a promotional video for Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way, I oversaw the day to day business that is hotel life and I met many of our wonderful residents and rehearsed our fabulous Cabaret which runs every Wednesday.

"One of my favourite memories from my time in hospitality was welcoming Henry Ford to the old Jury’s Hotel in Cork city and sitting with him throughout the night as he battled jet lag. In my book, I reveal his invaluable contribution to my etiquette crusade.

"We live in an ever-increasingly informal world. Etiquette guides us along a more gracious, elegant way of doing things in life in general.

This is never more important than in a beautiful hotel such as Harvey’s Point. The gracious service and attention should be part of what we offer.

"Perhaps in doing this we can influence people to carry some of that gracious living beyond the hotel. In view of my work and other activities, I have met almost every well-known Irish celebrity and a highlight of my year was that Kathleen Watkins, Lorraine Keane, and Mary Kennedy, launched my book.

"Sadly Gay Byrne left this wonderful world and it was surely a privilege to know him. He helped to put my beautiful Donegal on the map. Hotel business is akin to show business! Had I not followed this career I would have been an all singing all dancing Donegal Gene Kelly! I love theatre, I love dance, I love people, I love communication in all its artistic forms.

"Truth be told, still on the wish list is Dancing With The Stars! Give me an audience! In Harvey’s Point the audience are our treasured guests. That is in itself a very special audience!

"The best part of my job? People, people, people! Both guests and staff members are complex, intriguing, exciting, and amazing. But they are always exciting!"