Awards for several hospitality businesses in County Roscommon

It was a fantastic night for County Roscommon and local hospitality businesses at last week's Connaught Regional Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Old Stone House Restaurant in Ballinlough scooped two awards at Sligo’s Radisson Blu Hotel. Its chef Ray O’Connor won the county’s best chef award and it also won the award for the county’s best restaurant.

The coveted county award for ‘Pub of the Year’ went to J.C. Doorly’s – The Corner House in the county town.

The county award for best restaurant manager was won by Navrish Audit of Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry. The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle won three awards - best use of social media, best hotel and guesthouse restaurant, and best wine experience.

The County Roscommon Employee Excellence Award was won by Dylan Garvey, The Coachman’s Inn, while the Best Casual Dining award was won by Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar & Restaurant, Castlerea.

The Purple Onion, Tarmonbarry, was named the county’s best gastro pub, with Roscommon Town’s The Comfy Café getting the best café award. The best newcomer in the county went to Knockcroghery’s Nana Anne’s Café.

Coothall’s The Waterfront Restaurant won the county’s best contemporary Irish cuisine, while Boyle’s Lovage Bistro won the county award for best customer service.

Lovage Bistro said it was thrilled with the win. “A huge thank you to all our amazing customers for your trust and votes – we couldn’t have done it without you. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible team: Vakho, Agata, Orla, Jiju, Nikola, Marketa, and Patrick, as well as our newest member, Dallas, for their dedication and hard work. This award is a true reflection of the passion and commitment each of you brings to the table.” Castlerea’s Josie’s Café won the county award for best sustainable practices. The county award for innovator of the year went to Cortober’s Éabha’s Street Kitchen.

Castlerea based Tímea Kovacs, Healthy Bake Limited, was named the county’s Local Food Hero. The ZAIQA Restaurant, Roscommon Town, said it was delighted to be the county winner of the best world cuisine award.

“Huge thanks to our amazing team and loyal customers,” the restaurant said. “We can't wait to keep serving you the best food.” Other local businesses received a number of awards, with Carrick on Shannon picking up a number of accolades. The Cottage Restaurant won Leitrim’s best restaurant. The Red Bank Restaurant picked up three titles, winning the best wine experience award and the innovator of the year. Its chef Sonata Horkan was also named Leitrim’s best chef.

Jacinta Callaghan of The Oarsman, Carrick on Shannon, won Leitrim’s best restaurant manager, while Buffalo Boy, a steakhouse and bar, won Leitrim’s best use of social media. FIKA, also in Carrick, won the county’s best new comer, while Flynn’s Bar won the pub of the year award. Carrick’s Spice India won the county’s best world cuisine.

Lough Rynn Castle’s The Sandstone Restaurant was named Leitrim’s best hotel and guesthouse restaurant, while The Brandywell, Dromod, won the best casual dining award. Áine Faughnan, Dromod Boxty, won the county’s local food hero award.

Jinny’s Tearooms, Drumshanbo, won Leitrim’s best café, while Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, Leitrim Village, won the best sustainable practices award.

The Lavender Restaurant in Glenfarne won the county’s best contemporary Irish cuisine award. The Selkie restaurant in Tullaghan won the county’s best customer service award.

Roscommon woman Mary Burke of Cryan’s Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, won also a Connaught Employee Excellence Award at the ceremony.

“Mary has been a crucial part of our team for many years,” the delighted hotel said. “She welcomes every customer and employee with a big smile on her face, often seen dancing around our restaurant. She has trained many of our staff members over the years, which is a true reflection in our staff today. We are all thrilled to see her win this well-deserved award.” With over 500 in attendance, the event honoured the dedication and excellence of the hospitality sector throughout Connaught.

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 come to an end, 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 Connaught 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 celebrate the remarkable dedication, creativity and resilience of those working in Connaught’s hospitality sector. Over the past year, this industry has faced significant challenges, but it is the passion and perseverance of its people that continue to drive it forward. From chefs and café owners to front-of-house teams and food innovators, their commitment brings Ireland’s food culture to life every day.

"The Connaught Regional Awards shine a spotlight on the talent and innovation that make this region such a vital part of our culinary landscape. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, your hard work keeps this industry thriving.”