Killeen Castle, Co. Meath, has been awarded Overall Tourism Business of the Year at the 2025 Meath Business & Tourism Awards, announced over the weekend. Recognising excellence in local business and tourism, the awards ceremony took place on Friday 14th November at Trim Castle Hotel.
The award celebrates Killeen Castle’s remarkable achievement in hosting The HotelPlanner Irish Challenge, delivering an event that struck the perfect balance between championship golf and authentic Irish hospitality.
Over four unforgettable days, the event drew 7,500 spectators, filled 890 hotel bed nights and generated an estimated €480,000 in local economic impact. Beyond the numbers, the event highlighted the warmth of the local community and Killeen Castle’s dedication to world-class hospitality. Working closely with the Harvest Festival, Dunsany GAA, and Fergies in Kilmessan, the Killeen Castle team came together to create a festival atmosphere that extended far beyond the course, full of music, food and community spirit.
Cormac Ryan, Director of Golf & Hospitality Operations at Killeen Castle, said: "Winning this award is a true honour for our team. Hosting The Irish Challenge was about more than golf; it was about bringing the county together, sharing our hospitality with the world and showcasing Meath as a world-class destination. Congratulations to all 40 finalists whose work continues to showcase the very best of Meath; its creativity, culture, innovation and exceptional visitor experiences. From the support of our local community to the excitement of welcoming visitors from across the globe, this recognition reflects the collective effort and pride of everyone involved."
The Killeen Castle team's efforts reached a global audience of over 30 million through a partnership with Sky Sports, achieving a total reach of 7.6 million viewers across multiple platforms and highlighting the beauty of the county of Meath.
Cormac continued: “Beyond the numbers, what makes The Irish Challenge special is the pride it instilled - in our team, who delivered excellence at every level; in our county, which welcomed the golfing world with warmth and authenticity; and in our resort, which showcased Meath as a truly world-class golfing destination worthy of a global audience. Here’s to elevating Meath as a premier destination for tourism, events, and unforgettable experiences.”
The Meath Business & Tourism Awards 2025, organised in partnership with The Meath Chronicle, Meath County Council and Boyne Valley Tourism, celebrate the innovation, dedication and excellence of local businesses and tourism providers across the county.