- Overall: Square Restaurant, Dundalk, A bijou fine-dining spot in Dundalk town centre, acclaimed for its modern Irish cuisine rooted in local seasonal produce and precise techniques.
- Chef: Brendan Mulligan of The Spotted Dog, location in County Louth, A talented chef recognised for his creative and flavourful cooking using high-quality Irish ingredients in this standout venue.
- Restaurant Manager: Aine Stanley of Square Restaurant, Dundalk, An exceptional manager honoured for her outstanding leadership and contribution to service excellence in this acclaimed restaurant.
- Café: Strandfield, Ballymascanlon (near Dundalk), A family-run destination café, florist, and grocer awarded Café in Leinster and nationally for its fresh bakes, quality coffee, and welcoming atmosphere.
- Casual Dining: The Valley Inn, Dunleer, A relaxed eatery specialising in approachable, high-quality casual meals with a focus on fresh, flavourful dishes in a community setting.
- Gastro Pub: The Glyde Inn, Annagassan, A welcoming gastro pub celebrated for its innovative pub food, great atmosphere, and use of local produce along the coast.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Scholars Townhouse Hotel, Drogheda, An elegant restaurant within the historic hotel, known for refined dining and warm hospitality in a central town location.
- National Irish Restaurant Awards Highlights for Louth
- Café (All-Ireland Winner): Strandfield, Ballymascanlon, A multi-award-winning family business recognised nationally for exceptional café offerings and community appeal.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Hideaway of the Year: Ghan House, Carlingford, A charming historic hideaway offering intimate hospitality, excellent dining, and stunning views in the scenic Cooley Peninsula.
- Chef of the Year (National Winner): Conor Halpenny of Square Restaurant, Dundalk, An outstanding chef awarded for his innovative modern Irish cooking deeply rooted in local heritage and artisan producers.
Michelin Guide Recommended:
- Square, Dundalk, A modern cuisine restaurant praised for its exciting, place-rooted dishes and professional service in a compact, art-filled setting.
Restaurants Association of Ireland full list
- Overall: Square Restaurant, Dundalk
- Café: Strandfield
- Casual Dining: The Valley Inn
- Chef: Brendan Mulligan, The Spotted Dog
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Number One Jocelyn Bistro
- Customer Service: Social Bar and Restaurant
- Employee Excellence Award: Sarah McGarry, The Bay Tree Restaurant
- Gastro Pub: The Glyde Inn
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Scholars Townhouse Hotel
- Innovator: Mo Chara
- Local Food Hero: Adam Murray of Biddo’s Street Food
- Newcomer: The Cathedral Restaurant
- Pub: Sarsfields Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Aine Stanley, Square Restaurant
- Sustainable Practices: The Gateway Hotel
- Use of Social Media: Rocksalt Cafe
- Wine Experience: No. 3 Winebar & Restaurant
- World Cuisine: Sally Cinnamons
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow – Overall – County winners – Good Food Ireland – Michelin Star
2025 Restaurants Association Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
2024 Restaurants Association Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Louth:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Louth is a county of historic depth and coastal beauty, with Drogheda’s St Peter’s Church housing a historic shrine and the Boyne Valley offering ancient sites like Newgrange, a UNESCO-listed passage tomb across the border in Meath. Carlingford’s medieval streets and castle provide scenic walks, while Dundalk’s coastal paths add natural allure. Other attractions include the Cooley Peninsula’s hiking trails. Louth is Ireland’s smallest county by size (821 sq km) and 17th largest by population (139,703). Population peaked at 128,240 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 63,665 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Louth is Ireland’s 21st most visited tourist county with around 108,000 international visitors per year.
