The Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final took place last night, celebrating the outstanding contributions of the food and hospitality industry across the province including Clare businesses who scooped several prizes.
With over 700 attendees in attendance, the event honoured the dedication and excellence of the hospitality sector throughout Munster. Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations, submitted through The Irish Times, the official media partner of the awards.
As the regional finals continue, anticipation builds for the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner, where both regional and overall national winners will be revealed. The grand event is set to take place on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Munster can now secure their tickets for what promises to be a great evening.
Speaking at the ceremony, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: “Tonight, we gather to honour the dedication and determination of those who keep Munster’s hospitality industry going, even in the most challenging times. The past year has tested the resilience of our sector, making it more important than ever to recognise the passion, creativity and sheer hard work that drive it forward.”
“The Munster Regional Awards highlight the outstanding talent that makes this region a vital part of Ireland’s food culture. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Your commitment and perseverance are what keep this industry alive.”
The county winners were:
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel
Clare – Homestead Cottage
Kerry – Mulcahy’s
Limerick – 1826 Adare
Tipperary – Chez Hans
Waterford – Everett’s Restaurant
Cork – Dede at the Customs House Baltimore
Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service
Clare – Cezary Sodel, Oar Restaurant & Rooms
Kerry – Sean Roche, Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant
Limerick – Angel Pirev, The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
Tipperary – Stefan McEnteer, The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
Waterford – Luis Martin, Mara
Cork – Brian Murray, The Glass Curtain
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon
Clare – Sophie McCauley, Homestead Cottage
Kerry – Cathriona Fitzgerald, Natterjack Bar & Restaurant
Limerick – John Edward Joyce, The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
Tipperary – Louise Matthiae, Chez Hans
Waterford – Alan O’Shea, 360 Cookhouse
Cork – Ronan Sharpe, Elbow Lane
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite
Clare – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel
Kerry – Landline at Park Hotel Kenmare
Limerick – The Oak Room at Adare Manor
Tipperary – The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
Waterford – The Roseville Rooms at Faithlegg House Hotel
Cork – Rare 1784 at Blue Haven Hotel
Best Use of Social Media
Clare – Hotel Woodstock
Kerry – Danú at The Brehon
Limerick – 101 Limerick
Tipperary – The Runnerbean Coffee Shop
Waterford – GROW HQ
Cork – Paladar
Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula
Clare – Alex Beyou, Dromoland Castle Hotel
Kerry – Donal Harte, Ballygarry Estate Hotel
Limerick – Milan Gautam, The Savoy Hotel
Tipperary – Karli Fee, Central House Dining Room
Waterford – Geraldine Ward, Everett’s Restaurant
Cork – Allen Daly, Goldie
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace
Clare – Morrissey’s of Doonbeg
Kerry – O’Carroll’s Cove
Limerick – Hook & Ladder
Tipperary – The Cellar Bar at Bailey’s Hotel
Waterford – Momo Restaurant
Cork – Son of a Bun
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Paynt
Clare – Linnane’s Lobster Bar
Kerry – J. M. Reidy’s
Limerick – Collins Bar Dooradoyle
Tipperary – The Arch Bar
Waterford – The Moorings
Cork – O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill
Best Café
Clare – Sweet ‘n’ Green
Kerry – LUNA
Limerick – Café Rosé
Tipperary – Oh Sugar
Waterford – Seagull Bakery
Cork – Praline Pastry & Chocolate Café
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance
Clare – Glas Restaurant at Hotel Doolin
Kerry – Lagom Restaurant
Limerick – The East Room Restaurant
Tipperary – Larkins Bar & Restaurant
Waterford – Eamo & Ró
Cork – Saint Francis Provisions
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square
Clare – Oileán
Kerry – Willow Café
Limerick – The Olive Tree Restaurant
Tipperary – Sadler’s Restaurant
Waterford – Zuca Brew
Cork – Baba’de
Pub of the Year – Sponsored by istil.38
Clare – Nora Culligans
Kerry – An Siopa Dubh
Limerick – The Creamery
Tipperary – The Thatch Pub Cloneen
Waterford – Tully’s Bar
Cork – Sin É
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum
Clare – Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar
Kerry – The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge
Limerick – The Copper Room
Tipperary – The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
Waterford – UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen
Cork – L’Atitude 51 Wine Bar
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen
Clare – Russells Seafood Bar at Fiddle + Bow
Kerry – Kingstons Bar & Townhouse
Limerick – Cornstore Limerick
Tipperary – O’Neills Bistro
Waterford – Slow and Steady Café
Cork – Restaurant Chestnut
Best World Cuisine
Clare – The Alley Asia
Kerry – Tango Street Food
Limerick – Dasco DeLi
Tipperary – Bodega 1830
Waterford – Mezze
Cork – The Dosa Spot
Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres
Clare – The Armada Hotel
Kerry – Ballygarry Estate Hotel
Limerick – Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
Tipperary – Cloughjordan Ecovillage
Waterford – GROW HQ
Cork – The Town Coffee Company
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
Clare – The Armada Hotel
Kerry – Solas Tapas & Wine
Limerick – 1314 Limerick
Tipperary – The Lazy Cow Coffee House
Waterford – Dún Artisan Bakery
Cork – Trawler Boyz Ballycotton
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap
Clare – Kasha Connolly, Hazel Mountain Chocolate
Kerry – Karen Coakley, Kenmare Foodie
Limerick – Julius Fako, Republic of Grill
Tipperary – Shannon Forrest & Declan Malone, Rivesci
Waterford – Sarah Richards, Seagull Bakery
Cork – Donal & Virginia O’Gara, My Goodness