Three Clare businesses, all members of the Burren Ecotourism Network, are celebrating after winning big at the Irish Restaurant awards last night.
In total, this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards – the 15th year of the Awards – received over 160,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and other food services establishments across the country – the highest number yet.
The Burren is renowned for its top quality food and restaurants boasting two Michelin starred establishments; Homestead Cottage and the Wild Honey Inn. It also has two food festivals, the Burren Slow Food Festival held on Sunday in Lisdoonvarna and the Burren Food Fayre as part of the Winterage Festival in October.
The region has a rich food culture dating back to the 12th century, when the Cistercian monks settled in Corcomroe abbey and began growing produce. This tradition has continued with some of the best food producers in Ireland!
The Clare winners are:
Vaughan’s Anchor Inn n the ‘Best Gastropub’ category
Homestead Cottage Doolin n the ‘Best Newcomer’ Categoy
St Tola Irish Goat Cheese in the ‘Local Food Hero’ category
