At a recent awards ceremony in Dublin, the Welcome Ministry of Down Cathedral received special recognition from CIE Tours International.
The awards, which are presented based on feedback from over 25,000 CIE customers surveyed throughout the year, are reserved for those CIE tour partners whose feedback was at or above a 92% customer satisfaction rating.
Dean Henry Hull and Cathedral Administrator Sharon McVeigh collected the award at a ceremony in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Tuesday 28th January 2020. The Cathedral was one of only seven locations in Ulster to receive a merit award, and finds itself in the company of destinations such as Hillsborough Castle and the Giant’s Causeway.
Responding to the news of the award, The Very Revd Henry Hull, Dean of Down, said: “Welcome is at the heart of our ministry here in Down Cathedral. Over 50,000 people visit the Cathedral each year – many arrive as tourists, but we hope that they leave as pilgrims. The Cathedral community has had hospitality at its centre for centuries, since the foundation of a Benedictine Abbey on the site over 800 years ago. We work hard to make sure that welcome is extended today to everyone who arrives through the doors and we pray regularly for those who do visit us.
“I am delighted that our efforts have been recognised with this award. Great credit must go to Sharon, Janet and Sonia on the staff team as well as the many volunteers who support them in this welcome ministry.”
