There are some 3,000 students overall in the Athlone Institute of Technology. John O'Hara, head of the department of hotel, catering and tourism studies, says that the institute has been offering diploma courses since l989. Students come from all over the country and, because of the `ladder system', the institute can offer the only add-on bachelor of business studies in tourism and hospitality management in the country.

"Numbers for the degree course are growing all the time," says O'Hara. "The majority are our own students but we're now taking in quality students from other colleges too.

"We are also the only college in the country offering a national certificate in front office administration. It's a two-year course and we take in about 35 students each year."

The Athlone Institute also offers a national certificate in hotel and catering supervision. This is a three-year, block-release course during which students spend two extended periods in industry. Merit students can go on to take the national diploma in hotel and catering management.

Other certificate courses in Athlone include professional cookery, hospitality studies, bar service, bar supervision and tourism.