Our Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards 2026 winners series sees us chatting to our trophy recipients about their business, and what it takes to thrive in the industry.
The Spa at Dunboyne Castle Hotel won Spa of the Year, sponsored by Sothys, which is distributed in Ireland by Chleo, and manager Tanisha Mongan answers our questions.
When did The Spa at Dunboyne Castle Hotel open and how has it evolved?
It opened in 2006, and we began a major refurbishment in 2023, which was completed in 2025. The transformation brought the spa to a new level, enhancing both the environment and the overall guest experience.
We’ve also expanded our treatment menu and introduced new professional brands that align with our core values of wellbeing, sustainability and delivering results. Today, our focus is on creating personalised experiences that combine relaxation with effective, results-driven treatments.
Can you tell us about your own career journey?
I started my career in the spa industry in 2018, working in reception and performing spa treatments at The Buff Day Spa in Dublin, where I learned so much and progressed to assistant spa manager until 2023.
I then joined The Spa at Dunboyne Castle Hotel as assistant spa manager, where I was fortunate to be guided by Lisa Devlin, our spa manager at the time. Her support was invaluable to my development and prepared me for the next step in my career. I was promoted to spa manager earlier this year, and I’m excited to build on everything I’ve learned so far, support the team and continue to grow the spa’s offering.
If we continue to highlight the variety of career opportunities within the spa industry, we can encourage more people to see it as a profession where they can build a long-term career
What do you love most about the spa industry?
I genuinely love what I do and have a real passion for the spa industry. One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing happy clients and hearing their feedback after their experience with us. It’s so fulfilling to know that we’ve made a positive difference to someone’s day. I also really enjoy working with our amazing team, supporting their development and creating an environment where we can all work together to deliver the best possible experience for our guests.
Are there challenges in the industry and how can they be overcome?
Of course. Attracting and retaining talented therapists is probably one of the biggest challenges, and this needs to be an important focus for the industry. I believe creating a supportive environment, investing in training and giving staff opportunities to progress can make a huge difference. If we continue to highlight the variety of career opportunities within the spa industry, we can encourage more people to see it as a profession where they can build a long-term career.
Were you all surprised to win a Beauty, Hair & Spa Award, and what does winning mean?
We were totally shocked when our name was called – what a moment! It’s a real achievement for the whole team and something we’re incredibly proud of. It means a lot to see all the hard work, dedication and passion that goes into the spa recognised by industry professionals.
What advice would you give anyone thinking about entering next year's Beauty Hair & Spa Awards?
I would say go for it! It’s a great opportunity to reflect on how far you’ve come and celebrate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. Having something to work towards is really motivating, and winning gives you an achievement to be proud of and a new goal to aim for over the following year.
Are you thinking about entering the Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards 2027? If so, you can register your interest here.
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