- Best Restaurant (County Winner and Ulster Winner): MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion, A renowned fine-dining destination led by chef Neven Maguire, celebrated for its exceptional modern Irish cuisine, seasonal local produce, and outstanding contribution to Irish food (also awarded Outstanding Achievement Award nationally for Neven Maguire).
- Best Chef: Keith Hutton of The Oak Room Restaurant, Cavan Town, A skilled chef recognised for his creative, precise contemporary cooking and dedication to high-quality Irish ingredients in this popular town-centre venue.
- Best Restaurant Manager: Laura Connolly of The Oak Room Restaurant, Cavan Town, An exceptional manager honoured for outstanding leadership and service excellence in this acclaimed restaurant (also Ulster regional winner).
- Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill, A charming historic inn restaurant known for its innovative modern Irish dishes using seasonal produce in a welcoming rural setting.
- Best Gastro Pub: Murph’s Gastro Pub at Derragarra Inn, location in County Cavan, A vibrant gastro pub celebrated for its high-quality pub food, innovative offerings, and lively atmosphere.
- Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Courtroom Restaurant at Cabra Castle, Kingscourt, An elegant restaurant within the historic Cabra Castle Hotel, renowned for refined dining, warm hospitality, and stunning castle surroundings.
- Café: Wild Oak Brew & Bake, location in County Cavan, A welcoming café awarded for its excellent coffee, fresh bakes, and relaxed vibe (also recognised as Best Newcomer).
- Casual Dining: Chapter Cavan, Cavan Town, A modern casual spot specialising in approachable, high-quality meals with a focus on fresh, flavourful dishes.
- Best World Cuisine (Ulster Winner and National Winner): Chilli Lounge, Cavan Town, An outstanding Indian restaurant acclaimed for its authentic, bold curries and tandoori specialities using fresh ingredients in a welcoming setting.
- Customer Service: Deerpark Inn, Virginia, Honoured for exceptional friendly and attentive hospitality in this popular venue.
- Employee Excellence Award: Padraig Reilly of Shades Bar and Grill, location in County Cavan, A dedicated team member recognised for outstanding performance and contribution.
- Innovator: Datsé’s Café & Cakes, location in County Cavan, Awarded for creative approaches to dining, baking, and community engagement.
- Local Food Hero: Carl Rennicks of The Backyard Bakery, location in County Cavan, A passionate baker celebrated for championing local ingredients and artisanal baking excellence.
Other Notable Mentions
- Outstanding Achievement Award (National): Neven Maguire of MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion, Honoured for his longstanding contribution to Irish food and hospitality through his acclaimed restaurant, cookery school, and media work.
Michelin Guide
- Recommended: The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill, A characterful historic inn offering well-executed modern Irish cuisine with strong local sourcing in a cosy, atmospheric setting.
Restaurants Association awards: full list
The 2025 Ulster provincial awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 1st April, Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Road, County Monaghan.
- Overall: MacNean House, Blacklion
- Café: Wild Oak Brew & Bake
- Casual Dining: Chapter Cavan
- Chef: Keith Hutton of The Oak Room Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Olde Post Inn
- Customer Service: Deerpark Inn
- Employee Excellence Award: Padraig Reilly of Shades Bar and Grill
- Gastro Pub: Murph’s Gastro Pub
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Courtroom Restaurant at Cabra Castle
- Innovator: Datsé’s Café & Cakes
- Local Food Hero: Carl Rennicks, The Backyard Bakery
- Newcomer: Wild Oak Brew & Bake
- Pub: The Whistle Stop
- Restaurant Manager: Laura Connolly of The Oak Room Restaurant
- Sustainable Practices: The Cottage Market
- Use of Social Media: Luso
- Wine Experience: Wine Goose Cellar Bar at Farnham Estate
- World Cuisine: Chilli Lounge
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 of Ireland Awards by county
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 of Ireland Awards by county
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
Cavan:
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 – New – Name – 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 –
Cavan is a haven of lakes and rolling hills, with the Shannon-Erne Waterway offering tranquil boating and fishing opportunities. The Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff explores local history, while the Marble Arch Caves, part of a UNESCO Geopark, showcase stunning underground formations. Other attractions include the Killykeen Forest Park’s walking trails. Cavan is Ireland’s 19th largest county by size (1,891 sq km) and eighth smallest by population (81,704). Population peaked at 243,158 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 52,618 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Cavan is Ireland’s 20th most visited tourist county with around 111,000 international visitors per year.
