Mayo shines at regional restaurant awards

Ciara Galvin

MAYO’s culinary finest were honoured at this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards regional finals.
Sixteen restaurants, food producers and bars were recognised for their exceptional offerings, at the awards in Kilronan Castle, Roscommon.
The awards covered a wide range of venues and categories including Best Casual Dining, Pub of the Year, Best Kids Size Me and Best ‘Free From’.
Castlebar’s Bar One took the title of Best Casual Dining, and owner Mark Cadden said the team at the Rush Street eatery are ‘thrilled’.
“It’s great for the team. This business is labour-intensive so when you get recognition it goes a long way. We’ve had huge support from our customers,” said Mark.
Bar One has been operating for 16 years and Mr Cadden says the focus is on ‘local fresh produce’ and making customers’ experience ‘personable’.
Cian Hayes of Cian’s, Bridge Street, Westport which only opened in June 2016, said he was ‘shocked’ when his restaurant was named ‘Best Restaurant’ at the awards.
“It’s great for the staff and for morale. I didn’t know we got nominated until the day before. We were shocked but there was a big effort put in,” said Cian.
Speaking at the awards, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: “Now in their tenth year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the exquisite and admirable calibre of food available in our restaurants and pubs nationwide…We have an appreciation for what we eat, for the journey of our food from farm to fork, and for the dedication of those working in the food industry to serve up Ireland’s finest food.”

Mayo Winners
Best Casual Dining - Bar One Mayo
Best Kids Size Me - Café Rua
Best ‘Free From’ - Leafy Greens Café
Best World Cuisine - Love Lee’s Asian Restaurant, Ballina
Best Restaurant Manager - Eva Ivanova of Sage Restaurant
Best Wine Experience - Ashford Castle
Pub of the Year - John McHale’s
Best Café - Heffernan’s Fine Foods, Ballina
Best Customer Service - House of Plates, Castlebar
Best Gastro Pub - Cronin’s Sheebeen
Best Newcomer - Jack Fenn’s Courtyard Cafe at Belleek Castle
Best Chef - Philippe Farineau of Ashford Castle
Best Restaurant - Cian’s, Bridge Street, Westport
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Wilde’s at The Lodge
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Wilde’s at The Lodge
Best Local Food Hero - Liam and Justina Gavin of Drumanilra Farm Kitchen