Graduate Programme

Salary: €32,758 -€49,647 *This role will be filled in line with Public Pay Policy at Point 1 of the relevant Salary Scale unless the successful candidate is appointed from an existing public sector role.

Locations: 1st floor, Market House, Pearse Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 PW95

4th Floor Mathew House, Fr. Mathew Street, Street, Cork, T12 TN56

Unit 5, Calbro Court, Tuam Road, Galway, H91 YKH4

4th Floor, Wallace House, Maritana Gate, Canada Street, Waterford, X91 PP2R

Áras Fáilte, 88-95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, D01 WR86

Vacancy Description

Level 8a 

Fixed Term Contract, full-time (24 months) x 3 roles 

Job Purpose 

The Fáilte Ireland Graduate Programme is designed to offer recent graduates an exceptional opportunity to gain practical experience and accelerate their professional development within Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority. Participants will engage in dynamic rotations across a variety of Directorates, such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Dublin Region, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and Business Tourism. This immersive programme empowers graduates to build valuable skills, expand their network, and contribute to the continued success and innovation of Irish tourism. 

Job Description

Programme Details 

There are three graduate placements available on the Fáilte Ireland Graduate Programme, which include rotations in areas such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Business Tourism . 

Placements will be based in the relevant regional offices aligned to programme teams. Successful candidates will be expected to work regularly from their designated base office, attend required in-person team meetings, and engage with stakeholders both within the office and at other locations as necessary. This will include travel within the destination area to support required industry activities. 

Successful graduates will have the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a dynamic team, contributing to a wide range of meaningful projects. Through hands-on tasks and stimulating challenges, they will continuously build their skills and confidence as they begin their career in tourism. Each graduate will be supported by a dedicated mentor throughout the placement, gaining invaluable, real-world experience in the tourism sector and the opportunity to bring their own ideas to life while applying their academic knowledge in practice. 

What You’ll Experience

• Hands on involvement in impactful national tourism initiatives and programmes that shape Ireland’s visitor economy. 

• Exposure to a diverse range of projects, working within your assigned division and collaborating across the wider organisation. 

How You’ll Grow 

• Support from experienced tourism professionals, including structured mentoring throughout the programme. 

• A comprehensive learning and development programme designed to build core professional capabilities such as project management, communication and career development. 

Who You’ll Connect With 

• The opportunity to build a strong professional network across Fáilte Ireland and the wider tourism industry. 

• Ongoing collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders and partners across multiple areas of the organisation. 

What You’ll Take Away 

• A deep understanding of Fáilte Ireland’s strategic priorities and how each division contributes to the success of Ireland’s tourism sector. 

• Practical experience, confidence and insight to support the next step in your career. 

The flexibility to travel domestically, and on occasion internationally is an element of the roles. 

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria 

The Graduate Programme is open to Graduates of Tourism & Hospitality related courses with a strong interest in the development of Ireland’s tourism industry, good communication and interpersonal skills and who are flexible, adaptable and have a willingness to learn. 

Applicants must be willing to travel nationwide for attendance at site visits, regional meetings, industry activities and team meetings as required. (expenses will be paid by Fáilte Ireland as per the Fáilte Ireland Travel and Expense policy). 

Graduates must be available to attend an in-person competency-based interview during week commencing 4th May 2026.

Please note that the Programme will commence in June 2026, so all successful candidates will be required to be available to start the role in line with this start date. 

In order to be eligible to apply candidates must showcase on their application:

• Completion of a minimum of a second-class honour (2:1 Degree) level 8 degree in a Tourism and Hospitality course or expectation of same upon completion of exams between the years of June 2024 to June 2026. 

• Must be available to start in the role June 8th 2026. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft office. 

• Must be eligible to work in Ireland

Desirable Criteria:

• Work experience within the tourism sector.

• Knowledge and experience of the tourism sector in Ireland

The successful candidate must possess and through their application show evidence of:

Key Competencies 

• Planning and Managing Work – Please provide an example of a time when you had to manage competing priorities or workloads, for example balancing academic, work placements, or parttime work. Outline how you planned your work, met deadlines, and maintained quality. 

• Effective Communication – Please provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to suit different audiences, for example during a tourism related project, work placement, group assignment, or customer facing role. Describe how you adjusted your approach and why this was important.

• Teamwork - Please provide an example of where you worked as part of a team to deliver a tourism related project. 

• Inspire and Engage – Please give a specific example demonstrating what would appeal to visitors visiting Ireland, showcasing your knowledge of local/national attractions.

Selection Process

Shortlisting will be based on applications and the selection process may involve one competency-based interview. A panel of successful candidates may be formed following the selection process.

Fáilte Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of the workforce. We encourage you to reach out to us directly at recruitment@failteireland.ie should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process