Love him or otherwise, you just can’t ignore controversial Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary.
Several of Kerry’s most influential tourism and business leaders enjoyed the moment they were told that the high-flying airline boss, born in nearby Kanturk, “bears a remarkable resemblance” to Hollywood pin-up George Clooney’s younger brother.
The outspoken businessman, who spearheads Europe’s most successful airline, was one of the keynote speakers in a debate on access at the Irish Hotels Federation’s annual conference in Trim, Co Meath.
Other guests included Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Transport and Tourism Minister, Leo Varadkar and the dapper MC for the gala black tie dinner was Killarney hotelier Michael Rosney of the Killeen House Hotel.
A brief pen-picture biography on the official conference brochure stated that O’Leary became “another boring KPMG accountant” until divine inspiration “sentenced him to a life of penal servitude” in the airline business.
The mini profile further stated that the charismatic 52-year-old budget airline boss is “manifestly unsuitable for a job in any properly functioning industry”.
In the tongue-in-cheek introduction, it said O’Leary was “born in a stable in 1961” and became a boy genius who excelled academically and at sports. It added that he represented Ireland internationally at bog snorkeling and flower arranging and he graduated from Trinity College Dublin “as soon as they could get rid of him”.
O’Leary has recently overseen a number of customer service improvements which have significantly enhanced Ryanair’s image. The airline currently employs 9,000 people operating from 64 bases across 30 countries.
Meanwhile, at the IHF annual general meeting, Malton Hotel, Killarney general manager, Conor Hennigan (pictured above) was elected vice president of the organisation.
Now there’s a man that really does bear a striking resemblance to George Clooney’s younger brother.
