WATCH: As hospitality reopens, it’s the staff we should thank

I haven't spoken to one person who isn't buzzing about the return of outdoor dining and hospitality. It's time to have those long-overdue reunions with the people we have been missing desperately over the past year or so. With that, we're experiencing a newfound appreciation for the staff. From our favourite beer gardens to cocktail verandas, we have to show a lot of love to the people who are creating the great friendly atmosphere we all know and love. Lots has been happening in the background to ensure that the pubs of Ireland are ready to welcome you back to a safe and enjoyable environment. Drinks producers and brands have been playing their part by providing support and investment to Irish pubs. A big part of this has been the training and upskilling of staff to make sure they were “match fit” for reopening. The Guinness ‘Raising the Bar’ initiative has been exemplary in helping support trade across the Island of Ireland to re-open their doors and recover following the pandemic. One element of this is a three-day virtual upskilling and training programme offered to hospitality workers free of charge. So far 600 hospitality workers across the island of Ireland have participated. With training focused on helping these professionals provide excellence in service during Covid times, those who completed it were awarded the WorldHost 2020 certificate. Grounded in the fundamentals and uniqueness of the Irish hospitality experience, the training ensures participants have up to date product knowledge while inspiring new skills and exploring all the latest trends. From food pairing to a cocktail masterclass, the programme means that our experience as visitors to our favourite spots will be the best it can be! More of this can be seen in Drinks Ireland's latest video as part of their #TogetherAgain campaign   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRtpjPDyzWo Constance Balsamo, Head of Alcohol Policy and Public Affairs for Diageo Ireland explained why it was important for them to provide pubs with something substantial and practical to help them. “It was really about how can we be there when we’re needed, and when we have the ability to do something for our industry and for our customers,” she said. Pubs are more than just somewhere to drink. It's where we meet colleagues, friends and even the future love of our life. And who makes the experience as enjoyable as possible? That would be the staff. So I think it's only appropriate that we have a big 'cheers' to Ireland's hospitality staff. READ NEXT: How Ireland's hospitality is shaping up for us to be #TogetherAgain