Email: ​[email protected]

ABOUT US

The Guild of Sommeliers in Ireland began in 1958 as a subsidiary branch of the parent body in the UK. Mr. John Morgan of Morgans Wines in Dawson Street was the first President. The  first Chairman was Mr Paddy Kingsbury of the Gresham Hotel. Mr. John d’Turton of McCullagh's Wine Merchants was the first Secretary.

The parent body in  Ireland was established at the EGM in 1972. Its aims are to promote branches of the Guild in different parts of Ireland. The Irish Guild affiliated to the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) in 1983

WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER?

If you work in sales, service, promotion or any aspect of the wine business you are welcome to join the Guild. ​

COUNCIL MEMBERS 2019/2022

​PRESIDENT
​MORGAN VANDERKAMER

Vancouver born, Morgan is an internationally experienced Sommelier with certification from WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers. She has worked in hospitality for over 19 years. Her work has taken her to restaurants in Australia, London and Dublin. She also has Michelin experience and is  a certified Sherry educator.

​Along with her partner, Stephen McArdle, Morgan owns and runs The Barrows Keep Restaurant in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. ​Morgan was named Irish Sommelier of the Year in the 2021 Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards

VICE PRESIDENT
​NIAV MC NAMARA

Niav has a BSC in Chemistry and is a graduate of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has her Diploma WSET (level 4) since 2004 and has taught WSET courses levels 2 & 3. Niav honed her skills in her local off-licence doing tastings and wine recommendations. She also developed her own wine courses on matching food and wine.

In 2021 Niav became C0-VP of IGS in May 2021 and Sole VP in October 2021. She is representing IGS in Cyprus at the ASI Best Sommelier Europe and Asia 2021 in November 2021. She works in Clontarf Wines advising customer on food and wine pairings. She holds a National Off-Licence association NOffLa) Beer Diploma, with distinction.

​TREASURER
​HARRIET CONNOLLY

Harriet was introduced to the guild in 2010 when studying the wine module on the culinary arts course in DIT Cathal Brugha Street. She has studied WSET Level 2. For the past eight years she has enjoyed the position of treasurer for the ISG.