Events

Nov 09 2024

A Tea Table Classic: Afternoon Tea and Exploring Tea Cultures

Join us for an afternoon of tea, conversation, and hospitality as we explore the rich cultural significance of tea with authors Dr. Detta Melia and Dr. Ann T. Conway. The authors will discuss their contribution to a pioneering book that delves into the unique tea-related habits and rituals of Europe, with their chapter focusing on Tea and Irish Hospitality.

Tea, in all its forms, represents not only a moment of enjoyment but also a bridge for connection and peace. Through this event, you’ll gain insights into the history and social role of tea—from fascinating tea ceremonies to the evolution of tea gardens and teapots. As we sip tea together, we’ll explore how this beloved drink brings people together across cultures.

This promises to be a delightful experience for tea lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the history and traditions behind the world’s most iconic beverage.

Included is a delicious afternoon tea.

A bit about the Authors

Dr Ann T. Conway is a lecturer in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management with the Technological University Dublin, City Campus. She lectures in marketing, management and business studies in the hospitality, tourism, leisure, and events area since graduating with an MPhil by research in Tourism Marketing (Consumer Behaviour) from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in 1999. In 2002 she graduated from the Learning Teaching and Technology Centre with a Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching in 2003; and a year later with a MA in third Level Learning and Teaching, 2004, following research into the phenomenon of attrition and retention rates on the BA Hospitality Management course. She is now the Chair of the programme. In 2015 she completed her Doctor of Education programme with the University of Sheffield, UK. She researched the effects of change on culture and identities via a case study of a higher educational institution undergoing transition. She has worked extensively in the Irish hospitality sector and was sales and marketing representative for the ‘Be Our Guest Guide’ and market researcher with Bord Fáilte (now Fáilte Ireland) and the Tourism Research Centre.

Dr. Detta Melia is a lecturer in Hospitality Management with Technological University Dublin, City Campus, in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, lecturing on a diverse range of modules and has completed a Doctorate with Loughborough University in the UK in January 2009. Her doctorate research ‘Towards Performance Measurement in Hotels: An Incremental Approach’ focused on small and medium-sized independently owned hotels in Ireland. She has a wide range of industrial experience in hospitality and tourism including business consultancy. She continues her research and has a number of publications and conference papers which are available on-line and in the TUDublin ARROW Library. The most recent include The Future of Hospitality Education: Trends and Drivers for Change and the Growth of Resort Hotels in Ireland. A further paper, Food Tourism: Cases from Food Tourism Providers networks was delivered at the EuroCHRIE Conference 2022. At the EuroCHRIE conference In 2023, a paper on Reimagining Food and Beverage Operations in Ireland Post Covid-19 was delivered. In 2025 at the International ICHRIE conference in Canada a paper on Sustainability Management Cases of Best Practice in Hospitality and Tourism Ireland was presented.