This year is a special year for Irish Coffee as it celebrates its 70th birthday – first invented by Chef Joe Sheridan in October 1943. A special Gathering Event will take place in October to celebrate its birthday.
It was celebrated during the recent Foynes coffee festival the highlight of which was the Powers Irish Coffee Making Championship where three finalists competed for the prestigious title 2013 Powers Irish Coffee Making Champion. This year the three finalists were as follows:
Colm Whelan, representing The House Hotel, Galway.
Abdullah Al-Shmmasnh representing Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork
Micheal Griffiths representing The Beacon Hotel, Dublin.
After a very close competition Colm Whelan, representing the House Hotel, Galway, was announced as the 2013 Powers Irish Coffee Making Champion.
Colm works in the bar in the House Hotel. He is a student of media and Cultural Studies at NUIG and is doing his PhD. Originally from Dundrum in Dublin, he moved to Galway two years ago. He is also taking part in the Olympic Weight Lifting Competition next week in Belfast. He was cheered on by his parents Mary andTommy Whelan and his partner, Rachel Corr.
He received a Crystal Trophy, a cheque for €500, two return tickets from Shannon/Dublin to New York with United Airlines, and a Bewleys Hamper.
MC for the night was the wonderful and talented comedian Alan Shortt, who brought along his good friends, our President Michael D Higgins and, of course, our local Minister Michael Noonan to entertain the guests.
The festival kicked off with Hermitage Green on Festival Stage, on Saturday the Children’s Fancy Dress in the Coillte Woods attracted over 300 children .
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