Cronin's of Cork - Celebrating 55 years in the Tourism Industry

18 April 2011

Some of the leading figures in the Tourism Industry in Ireland gathered on Friday to celebrate the life and achievements of one of the great industry personalities, Dermot Cronin, founder of Cronin’s of Cork.  After 55 years of paving the way in the tourism industry, Dermot is officially retiring at the end of May.  To mark the occasion the directors of Cronin’s held a celebratory luncheon in Vertigo, on the 17th floor of Cork County Hall on Friday 15th April 2011.

In 1957, together with his late wife Joan, Dermot started his original Taxi and Bus Hire business in Cork.  From  these humble beginnings sprang Cronin’s of Cork which today has 50 touring coaches, 2 coach depots, a destination management company with international offices,  a coach sales and service company and a hotel marketing group.Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was John Brennan, hotelier and host of RTE's 'At Your Service'.  John, together with his brother Francis Brennan has strong ties with Dermot, going back decades.

John spoke of Dermot’s immense contribution to the Tourism Industry.  “Dermot has been one of the most progressive and adaptable entrepreneurs this industry has ever seen – a man with great integrity, loyalty and an ethos of hard work and quality, a man very much ahead of his time.  His philosophy has always been that we must all work together in the industry to survive and thrive. One example of this would be his involvement with Skål International, an organisation representing the Travel and Tourism Industry around the world.  Dermot’s lifelong commitment to groups such as this, have insured that Ireland has a very strong voice on the International tourism stage today.”

Even though it will most likely be a retirement in name only, Dermot is handing the reigns over to five of his children including his eldest, Nora Cronin, who has worked alongside him for forty years and recently appointed Chairman of the Board, and Derry Cronin, the youngest, appointed Managing Director.

Derry, speaking on behalf of the family and board of directors of Cronin’s of Cork, stated “It is a tribute to Dermot when we look at the cross section of great individuals and organisations represented here today, several of whom are close friends for many years and have travelled from all over the world to share this special occasion and like us, wish to express their thanks to him.  Dermot is retiring leaving a phenomenal legacy and a very strong plan for the Company’s future with five of his children, who have worked alongside him for many years, taking it forward and who will continue to promote Ireland as a holiday destination to home and faraway markets.”

The new board of Cronin’s of Cork will also include Niall Cronin, Transport Sales and Service Director, Margaret Cronin, Sales Director, who is also current President of Skål International Ireland and Anne Cronin, who is the new Operations Director.

Representatives from Trade and Industry organisations at the event included Tim Lucey - Manager Cork City Council; Theresa White, Assistant Manager Cork County Council, Ger O’Mahony - President Cork Chamber of Commerce; Fiona Buckley – Fáilte Ireland, Una Young and John Ryan- Select Hotels of Ireland; John Clancy – Air Lingus; Willie Poulliart – Vanhool, Belgium; Gary Sullivan - Collette Vacations, USA and Malcolm Payne – Intercruises, UK.