Local bar wins two prestigious awards

McHugh’s Bar in Carrick-on-Shannon won two prestigious awards at The Square Bar of the Year Awards 2026 held at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road, Dublin last night.

The well-known Leitrim bar took a silver award for Outside Space of the Year and also won the People’s Choice Award for Connacht/Ulster.

The popular pub was among the premier stars of Ireland’s licensed trade who were at the gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage.

Following a record-breaking year featuring over 1,000 national entries, the industry gathered to honour the extraordinary innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship defining Irish bars, hotels, craft breweries, and hospitality venues.

Led by overall headline sponsor Square, the national competition recognised gold, silver, and bronze winners across more than 30 dynamic categories.

"The sheer calibre of entries we received this year was nothing short of inspiring," said Trish Murphy, Sales and Sponsorship Director at Licensing World.

"Across every region, venues are setting new benchmarks and re imagining what top-tier hospitality looks like. The standard of entries highlights an industry rich in innovation, passion, and an unyielding commitment to delivering remarkable experiences."