Malzards Pub, Stoneyford, Co, Kilkenny named Irish Pub of the Year 2024
Pub of the Year 2024! Willie Aherne, chair, LVA, Roisín, Bríd, Fred and Aoibhinn Malzard and Garry Canavan of Malzards, Stoneyford, Kilkenny, John Clendennen, president, VFI Picture Conor McCabe Photography.
Malzards Pub, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny is celebrating after being named National Pub of the Year at the Irish Pub Awards 2024. The Kilkenny pub was crowned national champion from a field of 70 regional winners at a Gala Awards Ceremony in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin last night.
The Irish Pub Awards are jointly presented by Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and The Licenced Vintners Association (LVA). With over 1,000 entries from all over Ireland this awards programme continues to be recognised by publicans around Ireland as a valuable way to promote their business.
Malzards is a fifth-generation, family-run business situated in a charming rural village just 15 kilometres outside Kilkenny City. This traditional pub has become a model of the “Pub as a Community Hub” by reimagining its role and expanding its offerings to serve both local customers and visiting tourists. Through innovative offerings, Malzards has created experiences that have gained recognition in both international and domestic markets,
establishing it as the top destination pub in rural Kilkenny. Their unique product range includes “The Hurling Experience,” “Gigs in the Garden,” glamping pods, motorhome accommodations, and a newly added Airbnb unit this year.
The Irish Pub Awards ten category winners are:
• Best Food Pub sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace:
The Bailey Bar & Eatery, Enniscorthy, Wexford
• Best Tourist Pub sponsored by Fáilte Ireland:
Lowry’s Music & Whiskey Bar, Clifden, Galway
• Innovative Pub of the Year sponsored by BOI Payment Acceptance:
Mother Macs Public House, Limerick City
• Best Local Pub sponsored by Diageo Ireland:
The Liberty Belle, The Liberties, Dublin 8
• Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Edward Dillon:
Murph’s, Monkstown, Cork
• Best Music Pub sponsored by IMRO:
Gracie’s Bar Sligo, Sligo Town
• Best Outdoor Space sponsored by Bulmers:
Swans Bar | Paud O’Donoghues Forge, Curragha, Meath
• Best Digital Innovator sponsored by Heineken:
The Shelbourne Bar, Cork City
• Best Late-Night Bar sponsored by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard:
Wrights Café Bar, Swords, Co. Dublin
• Best Match Day Pub, sponsored by Molson Coors
Fagan’s, Drumcondra,Dublin 9
Speaking at the Irish Pub Awards, VFI president John Clendennen praised the remarkable quality of pubs in this year’s awards: “With each passing year, the Irish Pub Awards continue to raise the bar and the 2024 entries have truly set a new standard for excellence in Irish pubs. Winning a category award tonight is a significant accomplishment, given the exceptional quality and innovation displayed by all entrants. Irish pubs are celebrated globally, so it’s fitting that we have an awards programme of this calibre to highlight their unique charm and creativity. I hope the achievements showcased here will inspire other publicans to consider entering the Irish Pub Awards next year.”
LVA chair, Willie Aherne said, “The Irish Pub Awards have solidified their place as the leading awards program in the pub industry, with participation continuing to rise each year. The programme has earned recognition not only for its extensive national and local media coverage but also for the comprehensive management training provided to all finalists, which has proven invaluable for their businesses. We are thrilled with the growth and success of the awards, and it has become a fantastic platform to showcase the crucial role pubs play in Irish business, community life, and tourism.”
Drinks Industry Ireland is the trade media partner to The Irish Pub Awards with the Irish Independent as the media partner.
