The Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2024 has declared OX, a fine dining establishment located in Belfast, as the restaurant of the year. OX, a venture of long-time friends Stephen Toman and Alain Kerloc’h, was established in 2013. The restaurant, known for its Michelin star, constructs dishes centred around seasonal creativity and sources its produce from an often-updated store.
The five-star hotel of the year was identified as Sheen Falls Lodge in Co Kerry, with Kilkea Castle Estate & Golf Club in Co Kildare securing the four-star category, and Foyle’s Hotel of Clifden, Co Galway being awarded the best three-star hotel.
Georgina Campbell lauded resilient restaurateurs and hospitality teams during the trying year of 2024, with budget cuts and restaurant closures trying the sector’s mettle. Danni Barry, representing Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, earned the chef of the year award, while Mark Nolan of Dromoland Castle was honoured as the hospitality hero of the year.
The Long Haul Hero Award, acknowledging long-term high achievers in the industry, was awarded to Mary Wall from Hanora’s Cottage in Co Waterford. The cottage, which was initially opened by Mary and her late husband Seamus in 1986, still runs successfully with assistance from her son Eoin and his wife Judith.
Campbell cautioned against unnecessary cost reductions compromising the quality of service. She expressed concerns, particularly about the quality of breakfast, suggesting innovative options like diversified menu sizes to tackle budget-related challenges. Campbell also emphasised the promising rise in sustainable practices, such as kitchen gardens.
This year, chefs are increasingly demonstrating their commitment to eco-friendly practices, with increasing instances of home-growing seasonal produce becoming a point of pride for many establishments – not to mention its positive effect on the environment. The leading example of commitment to sustainability this year has been Wren Urban Nest based in the heart of Dublin, Ireland’s first accommodation to produce no net carbon. The green hotel project is the result of sustainable thinking by Mark Butler and Neville O’Boyle, founders of the waste management solutions company Key Waste.
This information comes from the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards, which are now in their 26th year. The awards are determined through the independent studies carried out by a covert group of specialists.
The 2024 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards winners were:
Hospitality Hero of the Year: Mark Nolan from Dromoland Castle, Co Clare.
Trailblazers of the Year: Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery, Skibbereen, Co Cork.
Most Supportive of Irish Food and Drink Producers: The Coach House, Roundwood, Co Wicklow.
For haute cuisine, the accolades were given to OX, Belfast for the best restaurant, while House Restaurant, Cliff House Hotel Ardmore, Co Waterford won for hotel restaurants. Neighborhood award went to The Lemon Tree Restaurant, Letterkenny, Co Donegal and the boutique award to Restaurant Chestnut, Ballydehob, Co Cork. Chef Danni Barry from Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Recess, Co Galway was named chef of the year.
The top hotels were: Five-star hotel Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry, Four-star hotel Kilkea Castle Estate & Golf Club, Castledermot, Co Kildare, Three-star hotel Foyles Hotel, Clifden, Co Galway, Boutique hotel Elephant Rock Hotel, Portrush Co Antrim, and Business hotel The Horse & Jockey Hotel, Horse & Jockey, Co Tipperary.
For smaller accommodations, the winners were; Country house: Ballyvolane House, Fermoy, Co Cork, Guest house: Teach de Broc, Ballybunion, Co Kerry, Bed & Breakfast: Barnahown, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and a special Hideaway award for No. 1 Pery Square, Limerick.
Utilising the original text’s data, this text provides an alternative listing.
Casual Cuisine
– Landmark with history: Stitch & Weave, Derry
– Eating and drinking spot: Sadler’s, Fethard, Co Tipperary
– Semi-formal eatery: The Glass Curtain, Cork
– Local dining place: No 14 Georgian House, Comber, Co Down
– Pastry shop and café: Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
– Roadside fare: Pyke’n’Pommes, Derry
Unique Hospitality and Eco-Friendly Practices
– Tourist site: The Shed Distillery & Jackalope Café Drumshanbo Co Leitrim
– Local waterway food choices: The Purple Onion, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon
– Innovative methods: Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewing Company, Stradbally, Co Laois
– Eco-conscious practices: Wren Urban Nest, Dublin
– Top fish cuisine: QC’s Seafood Restaurant, Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse, Caherciveen, Co Kerry
– Best seafood cook: Aishling Moore, Goldie, Cork
– International food: Nightmarket, Dublin
Unforgettable Instances
– Cheerful location: Osteria Lucio, Dublin
– Noteworthy visit: The Drawing Room at Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo
– Annual new addition: Farmgate Lismore, Lismore, Co Waterford
– Food pub of the year: Deerpark Inn, Virginia, Co Cavan
– Old-fashioned bar of the year: Thomas Connolly Traditional Pub & Whiskey Bar, Sligo, Co Sligo
– Wine excursion: Ristorante Rinuccini, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
Characteristic Irish Hospitality
– Family-welcoming accommodation: McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo
– Place that welcomes pets: Seaview House Hotel & Spa, Ballylickey, Co Cork
– Setting filled with character: The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, Co Down
– Esteemed hosts: Margaret & Laura Bowe, Marlfield House, Gorey, Co Wexford
– Extended-stay champion: Mary Wall, Hanora’s Cottage Nire Valley Co Waterford
Traditional Irish Breakfast Awards
– Hotel division: Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare
Rathsallagh House in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow is a renowned country house, while Castlewood House in Dingle, Co Kerry is noted as a superb guest house. For café lovers, POTA Café in Inverin, Co Galway is beloved, particularly for their fresh Irish bread which is also a specialty of Castle Grove Country House in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When it comes to natural foods in different categories, a number of businesses stand out. Among them, Higgins Family Butchers in Dublin specialise in meats. For honey, look no further than Sliabh Aughty Honey from Leahy Beekeeping in Carrownmore, Co Galway. Dairy enthusiasts might be familiar with Dart Mountain Cheese, originating from Claudy, Co Derry. Lastly, fresh produce is the hallmark of Waterfall Farms located in Waterfall, Co Cork.