*Shannon College of Hotel Management students Hannah O’Flanagan and Laura Shanahan with Liam Silke, who graduated in the 1960s from the College, celebrate at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Shannon College of Hotel Management and the launch of a new degree Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management yesterday. Photo by Andrew Downes
New undergraduate degree in Global Luxury and Experience Management launched to coincide with celebrations
Wednesday May 13, 2026: Shannon College of Hotel Management has today marked 75 years of hospitality education with a milestone anniversary celebration and the launch of a new undergraduate degree – Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) in Global Luxury and Experience Management.
The event was centred around the launch of a new ambitious vision for the future of Shannon College, including an outline of plans for a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art learning building.
Founded in 1951 by Dr Brendan O’Regan, Shannon College of Hotel Management has grown from an ambitious idea in the Shannon region to become a world-renowned school as part of University of Galway which has a distinctive place in Irish and global hospitality education.
The 75th anniversary event brought together alumni, students, staff, friends of Shannon College, members of the community and industry partners to reflect on its long-standing contribution to the national and international hospitality sector, while also looking ahead to the future of hospitality education.
Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “It is a privilege to be part of a 75th anniversary celebration which so clearly shows the strength of the bond between students, staff, graduates and the region, while also demonstrating the impact of the Shannon College globally. We look forward to greater successes in hospitality education as ambitions for the future become a reality.”
Adrian Sylver, Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management, said: “Over the past 75 years, Shannon College has adapted to changing times while holding firmly to its defining values. This approach has helped generations of graduates build successful careers. The new degree programme launched today – Bachelor of Business Studies in Global Luxury and Experience Management – will continue to build on that legacy, while opening new pathways for students into dynamic and growing global industries.”
Professor Alma McCarthy, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at University of Galway, said: “The launch of the new BBS in Global Luxury and Experience Management degree programme reflects our commitment to developing future leaders with the skills and insights to thrive in an increasingly experiential-focused hospitality landscape.”
Shannon College’s new BBS in Global Luxury and Experience Management combines business knowledge with specialist capability in luxury markets, digital engagement, service excellence and international brand environments. It has been designed to equip graduates for roles that require the ability to design, deliver and manage high-value customer experiences in a wide range of settings.
The 75th anniversary celebrations included conversations, billed as Down Memory Lane, with graduates including Daniel McLoughlin, founder of RockSalt; former Deputy Head of School Kate O’Connell; and current third-year student, Erin Brady.
Graduates of Shannon College Nicky Logue, General Manager Intercontinental Hotel Dublin, Ruth Scanlon, Marketing Director Reignwood UK, and Christine Murphy, Founder of Urban Aran, also took part in the event, reflecting on their careers and the opportunities presented by the new degree.
The celebrations also included the launch of a Shannon College 75th Anniversary Commemorative Whiskey, produced in collaboration with Co Clare Whiskey Bonder JJ Corry.
The Shannon College brand is carried across the world by a global alumni community of more than 3,000 graduates in senior roles including chief executive officers of international hotel groups, leaders of global hospitality brands, chairs of major tourism destinations, and presidents and chairpersons of national and international hospitality organisations.
Its practice-led approach combines academic study, professional training, immersion in language, international experience and close industry engagement, helping generations of graduates build careers across hotels, tourism, luxury hospitality, financial services, destination management, events, enterprise and other sectors.
Shannon College has maintained a 100% employment record for undergraduate programmes since 1951, reflecting the enduring strength of the Shannon education and the values of professionalism, integrity, service excellence and warmth that continue to define the “Shannon Family”.
Ends
Media queries to pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie
Photos – credit: Andrew Downes, Xposure
Callum Corry, Bachelor of Business, and Erin Brady, Bachelor of Commerce, at Shannon College of Hotel Management, University of Galway at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the college and the launch of a new degree programme, Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.
Erin Brady, Bachelor of Commerce, at Shannon College of Hotel Management, University of Galway at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the college and the launch of a new degree programme, Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.
Shannon College of Hotel Management students Hannah O’Flanagan and Laura Shanahan with Liam Silke, who graduated in the 1960’s from the College, celebrate at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Shannon College of Hotel Management and the launch of a new degree Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.
Adrian Sylver, Shannon College of Hotel Management, Professor Alma McCarthy, Dean of College of Business Public Policy and Law, University of Galway, and Professor David Burns, President, University of Galway, at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Shannon College of Hotel Management and the launch of a new degree Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.
From left, Derek Barrett, CEO, The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber, Adrian Sylver, Shannon College of Hotel Management and Shannon Chamber, Professor David Burns, President, University of Galway, Mick Guinee, Shannon Chamber, Dympna O’Callaghan, Shannon Chamber, and Ray O’Driscoll, Shannon Chamber, at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Shannon College of Hotel Management and the launch of a new degree Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.
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