The best of Galway’s restaurant industry has been showcased in the Connacht Regional Finals for the Irish Restaurant Awards this week.
More than 650 people attended the awards event at the Knockranny House Hotel in county Mayo on Wednesday evening.
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.
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 Connacht’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 Connacht’s and the country’s talented restaurant, café and food-led hospitality staff.
“Once again, this year’s Connacht 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.”
The winners will now go on to the All-Ireland Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards taking place in Mayo.
The full list of the Connacht Regional Winners is below.
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Flo Gas
Galway – Kenneth Keavey, Green Earth Organics
Leitrim – Patrick J Rigney, The Shed Distillery
Roscommon – Mike Waldron, Waldron Family Meats
Sligo – Lindy O’Hara, Coopershill Venison
Mayo – Eddie O’Malley, Jack & Eddie’s
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
Galway – Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery
Leitrim – Leitrim Hill Creamery
Roscommon – Éabha’s Street Kitchen
Sligo – Stoked
Mayo – Ryan’s Food Emporium
Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres
Galway – Kai Restaurant
Leitrim – Riverbank Restaurant
Roscommon – Bastion K2tchen Castlerea
Sligo – Honestly Farm Kitchen Strandhill
Mayo – Foxford Cafe
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by San Pellegrino
Galway – Neo
Leitrim – The Cottage Restaurant
Roscommon – My Kitchen by Sham Hanifa
Sligo – Funké – Afro Caribbean Restaurant
Mayo – Jalan Jalan
Best Café – Sponsored by Illy
Galway – Wylde
Leitrim – Tegi’s Tearoom Carrick On Shannon
Roscommon – Rogue & Co Cafe
Sligo – Vintage Lane Cafe
Mayo – Postbox Coffee
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen
Galway – Rusheenduff Restaurant at Renvyle House Hotel & Resort
Leitrim – Dartry Cafe
Roscommon – Bastion K2tchen Castlerea
Sligo – Lyons Café and Bakeshop
Mayo – La Fougère Restaurant Westport at Knockranny
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum
Galway – Daróg Wine Bar
Leitrim – The Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle
Roscommon – The Old Stone House Restaurant Roscommon
Sligo – Hargadon Bros
Mayo – The Gallery Cafe, Wine & Tapas Bar
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square
Galway – The Willow Tree Restaurant Clifden
Leitrim – Morning Glory Cafe
Roscommon – The Coachman’s Inn
Sligo – Otto Pizza
Mayo – The Moy Hotel
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance
Galway – Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Leitrim – The Red Bank Restaurant
Roscommon – Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant
Sligo – Fish & Bean
Mayo – Cronin’s Sheebeen
Best Gastropub – Sponsored by Molson Coors
Galway – The Huntsman Inn
Leitrim – The Oarsman
Roscommon – Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant
Sligo – Harrisons Bar & Restaurant
Mayo – Nevin’s Newfield Inn
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace
Galway – POTA
Leitrim – The Selkie
Roscommon – Athlone Golf Club Restaurant
Sligo – Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern
Mayo – The Cot and Cobble
Pub of the Year
Galway – Freeney’s Bar
Leitrim – Flynn’s Bar
Roscommon – J Beirne’s
Sligo – Foleys Bar
Mayo – Warde’s
Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula
Galway – Catalina Gabriela Caltun, 56 Central Restaurant Cafe
Leitrim – Saoirse Supple, Honestly Farm Kitchen
Roscommon – Lauren Walsh, Regan’s Gastro Pub and Restaurant
Sligo – Deirdre Quinn, Waterfront House & Restaurant
Mayo – Niamh Walsh, The Creel Castlebar
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite
Galway – Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
Leitrim – The Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle
Roscommon – The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
Sligo – The Coral Restaurant at Diamond Coast Hotel
Mayo – George V at Ashford Castle
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon
Galway – Zsolt Lukács, Daróg Wine Bar
Leitrim – Gabriel Camburu, Buffalo Boy
Roscommon – Michele Montis, The Waterfront Restaurant
Sligo – Angela Davis, Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern
Mayo – Fatima Santos, Flannerys Bar & Restaurant
Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service
Galway – Danny Africano, Lignum
Leitrim – Piero Melis, The Courthouse Restaurant
Roscommon – Martin Duffy, Athlone Springs Hotel
Sligo – Stéphane Magaud, Montmartre
Mayo – Kevin Stirzaker, Dining Room
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel
Galway – Blackrock Cottage
Leitrim – The Red Bank Restaurant
Roscommon – The Purple Onion Kitchen
Sligo – Eala Bhán
Mayo – Poacher Restaurant
