North East Regional Winners
The North Eastern Award winners were announced in The Squealing Pig Bar and Restaurant in Monaghan last night.
Innovative Pub of the Year: Warehouse Bar and Kitchen, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Best Music Pub: PJ O’Hare’s, Carlingford, Co Louth
Best Tourist Pub: PJ O’Hare’s, Carlingford, Co Louth
Best Outdoor Space: Russell’s Saloon, Dundalk, Co Louth
Outstanding Customer Service: Russell’s Saloon, Dundalk, Co Louth
Best Local Pub: Liam Smyth & Son, Ballybay, Co Monaghan
Best Food Pub: Murph’s Bistro, Derrygarra Inn, Butlersbridge, Cavan
Pub Personality of the Year: Liam Smyth, Liam Smyth & Son, Ballybay, Co Monaghan.
The awards were presented by VFI President Pat Crotty and the category sponsors. The various Award categories and awards sponsors are:
Innovative Pub of Year – Bank of Ireland Payment Acceptance
Best Music Pub – IMRO
Best Tourist Pub – Molson Coors
Best Outdoor Space – Bulmers
Outstanding Customer Service – Heineken
Best Local Pub – Diageo
Best Food Pub – Musgrave Marketplace
Pub Personality of the Year – Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.
This completes the series of seven regional events which took place around the country between 18th September and 4th October to announce the 56 finalists through all categories.
These now go forward to the Final which takes place in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin, on Wednesday 8th November at which time the overall category winners and the overall winner will be announced.
The objective of the Awards programme is to recognise and reward excellence and innovation across various categories in the Irish pub industry. Entries closed on 30th June and judging took place during July and August.
The Regional Winners will be showcased as best in class in their area and will win a prize package of management training to help them progress their business further. They will also avail of comprehensive media coverage including a profile in the special awards supplement to be published in the Irish Independent on the day of the Gala Awards Ceremony while the overall category winners will also be featured by trade media partner to the Awards Drinks Industry Ireland.
The National Irish Pub Awards are open to all members of VFI and LVA.