Planning a trip to Ireland and wondering where to book? The Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards just made your research easier.
The winners were announced on 22 September at a gala lunch at Dublin’s InterContinental hotel, crowning the country’s top hotel, chef, pub and newcomer of the year. If you’re unfamiliar with these awards, they’re worth knowing — Georgina Campbell’s guides have been a trusted, independent resource for decades, focusing on genuine quality rather than hype.
Among this year’s headline winners: County Donegal’s Lough Eske Castle took five-star Hotel of the Year, while Chef of the Year went to Wade Murphy of 1826 Adare in County Limerick. Blakes of the Hollow in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was named Traditional Pub of the Year, and The Hawthorn by Galway Bay in Oranmore took Newcomer of the Year. Monks in Ballyvaughan, County Clare — pictured above — picked up Pub with Rooms of the Year.
For travelers, this matters because finding great food and accommodation in Ireland can feel overwhelming. Thousands of options across 32 counties, endless TripAdvisor reviews, everyone’s cousin recommending a different spot. Having an independent panel narrow it down is actually useful.
We’d suggest checking the full shortlist, not just the winners. The runners-up often represent excellent value and shorter booking waits — especially helpful if you’re visiting Dublin, Cork, or the west coast during peak season. Consider it a verified starting point for your itinerary.
Originally reported by rte.ie
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