County winners named at Irish Restaurant Awards regional finals

Winners from Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon were unveiled yesterday at the Irish Restaurant Awards Connaught Regional Final 2024.

The event, held at the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport last night (Wednesday) brought together culinary talents and hospitality greats from across the province to celebrate Ireland’s food-led hospitality industry.

The celebration of food and hospitality in Connacht drew a significant crowd, with almost 650 attendees joining in the celebrations on the night.

The Irish Restaurant Awards – now in its 15th year – garnered over 160,000 nominations from the public for restaurants, cafés, and other food service establishments across the country this year, setting a new record for participation.

Nominations were made through The Irish Times website, the Irish Restaurant Awards’ media partner.

Following the completion of all regional events and the announcement of county winners, attention will turn to the unveiling of Regional and All-Ireland Winners at the prestigious All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner, set to take place at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road, Dublin 4 in May.

Further ticket and event information for the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner will be released in April following the Regional Events.

Speaking about the significance of the Irish Restaurant Awards during last night’s event, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, emphasised the resilience and innovation evident within Connaught’s food industry.

“Amidst the challenges faced by our industry, celebrating Connaught’s vibrant food and hospitality sector is more important than ever.

“The Irish Restaurant Awards continue to provide a vital platform to acknowledge the dedication of Connaught’s and the country’s talented restaurant, café and food-led hospitality staff.

“Once again, this year’s Connaught Regional Final showcased the unparalleled culinary talent within the province. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their dedication and passion really paying off.” 

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Flo Gas 

Roscommon – Mike Waldron, Waldron Family Meats 

Sligo – Lindy O’Hara, Coopershill Venison 

Mayo – Eddie O’Malley, Jack & Eddie’s, Westport 

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo 

Roscommon – Éabha’s Street Kitchen 

Sligo – Stoked, Strandhill 

Mayo – Ryan’s Food Emporium, Cong 

Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres 

Roscommon – Bastion K2tchen Castlerea 

Sligo – Honestly Farm Kitchen Strandhill 

Mayo – Foxford Café 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by San Pellegrino 

Roscommon – My Kitchen by Sham Hanifa 

Sligo – Funké – Afro Caribbean Restaurant, Sligo 

Mayo – Jalan Jalan, Ballina 

Best Café – Sponsored by Illy 

Roscommon – Rogue & Co Cafe 

Sligo – Vintage Lane Café, Rathcormac 

Mayo – Postbox Coffee, Kiltimagh 

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen 

Roscommon – Bastion K2tchen Castlerea 

Sligo – Lyons Café and Bakeshop, Sligo 

Mayo – La Fougère Restaurant Westport at Knockranny, Westport 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum 

Roscommon – The Old Stone House Restaurant, Roscommon 

Sligo – Hargadon Bros, Sligo 

Mayo – The Gallery Cafe, Wine & Tapas Bar, Westport 

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square 

Roscommon – The Coachman’s Inn, Roscommon 

Sligo – Otto Pizza, Sligo 

Mayo – The Moy Hotel, Foxford

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance 

Roscommon – Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant, Termonberry 

Sligo – Fish & Bean, Rosses Point 

Mayo – Cronin’s Sheebeen, Westport 

Best Gastropub – Sponsored by Molson Coors 

Roscommon – Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant, Castlerea 

Sligo – Harrisons Bar & Restaurant, Cliffoney

Mayo – Nevin’s Newfield Inn, Tiernaur 

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace 

Roscommon – Athlone Golf Club Restaurant 

Sligo – Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern, Drumcliffe 

Mayo – The Cot and Cobble, Ballina 

Pub of the Year 

Roscommon – J Beirne’s, Strokestown 

Sligo – Foleys Bar, Sligo 

Mayo – Warde’s, Claremorris 

Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula 

Roscommon – Lauren Walsh, Regan’s Gastro Pub and Restaurant, Roscommon Town 

Sligo – Deirdre Quinn, Waterfront House & Restaurant, Enniscrone 

Mayo – Niamh Walsh, The Creel Castlebar 

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite 

Roscommon – The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle 

Sligo – The Coral Restaurant at Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone 

Mayo – George V at Ashford Castle, Cong 

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon 

Roscommon – Michele Montis, The Waterfront Restaurant, Boyle 

Sligo – Angela Davis, Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern, Drumcliff 

Mayo – Fatima Santos, Flannerys Bar & Restaurant, Ballinrobe 

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service 

Roscommon – Martin Duffy, Athlone Springs Hotel 

Sligo – Stéphane Magaud, Montmartre, Sligo 

Mayo – Kevin Stirzaker, Dining Room Castlebar 

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel 

Roscommon – The Purple Onion Kitchen, Termonberry 

Sligo – Eala Bhán, Sligo 

Mayo – Poacher Restaurant, Ballina