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Welcome award for friendly driver
A COACH driver who brightened the last days of a wheelchair-bound American
tourist has won the Irish tourism industry’s premier award for the nation’s
best Cead Mile Failte.
Martin Guilfoyle was praised for the friendship he showed Barbara Krause
when she made her last trip to Ireland in March shortly before she died
of pancreatic cancer.
Three weeks after her return to the US she passed away to a recording
of the 41-year-old coach driver reading The Lake Isle of Innisfree as she
had wished.
US travel agent Mary Ann Coot nominated Mr Guilfoyle from Urlingford
in Co Kilkenny for his special welcome — which has resulted in numerous
return trips to Ireland by many in her groups.
The married father of two was presented with the National Title in the
2003 Failte Ireland Irish Welcome Awards at the National Museum.
Mr Guilfoyle — who drives for Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Coaches — was also
presented with the Transport & Tours Category Award.
Ms Coot said that her friend Mrs Krause had made her first trip to Ireland
five years ago and although after the death of her husband she had vowed
to travel to as many places as possible she then chose to return repeatedly.
“She confided in me that it was Martin’s way of making her feel at home
that urged her to return again and again,” said the Illinois-based agent.
The Welcome Awards were designed by Failte Ireland to recognise Ireland’s
tourism champions.
A special award was also made to honour all host families who opened
their homes to welcome thousands of visiting athletes for the 2003 Special
Olympics World Games.
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