These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Monaghan
- 1st: Glaslough – An immaculate estate village famously associated with Castle Leslie, where Sir Paul McCartney was married. Its name means ‘green lake’, and it lives up to it with pristine pastel-coloured cottages, manicured gardens, and tranquil lakeside walks. The village exudes an air of elegant, peaceful tidiness, offering a unique blend of boutique hospitality and unspoiled charm.
- 2nd: Carrickmacross – Renowned worldwide for its delicate Carrickmacross Lace, this bustling town has a rich craft and cultural heritage. Visitors are drawn to its lace gallery, the impressive St. Joseph’s Church, and the nearby Drummond oaks gardens. The town centre is vibrant and well-presented, with strong community involvement evident in its public spaces.
- 3rd: Monaghan Town – The county town is a hub of activity with a striking diamond at its centre, featuring the iconic Monaghan Courthouse. It boasts excellent museums like the Monaghan County Museum and the Viking VR centre, alongside peaceful parks and walking trails at Rossmore Forest Park. Its urban tidiness reflects a proud and progressive local authority effort.
The provincial restaurant awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 1st April, Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Road, County Monaghan
- Overall: Wild Thyme, Three Mile House
- Café: Pocono
- Casual Dining: The Batch Loaf
- Chef: Conor Mee of The Courthouse
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Courthouse
- Customer Service: The Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant
- Employee Excellence Award: Jamie Hughes of Barley and Bean
- Gastro Pub: Andy’s Bar & Restaurant
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate
- Innovator: The Tavern Bar & Restaurant @ Westenra Arms Hotel
- Local Food Hero: Seamus McMahon, Brehon Brewhouse
- Newcomer: Greenmount Restaurant
- Pub: The Coachhouse & Olde Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Aprilanna Barker of Taste of Tuscany
- Sustainable Practices: Neighbourhood
- Use of Social Media: Screaming Bean Cafe
- Wine Experience: Wild Thyme Restaurant
- World Cuisine: Eastern Balti House
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
Monaghan:
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 –
Monaghan offers a serene blend of rolling hills and cultural heritage, with the Monaghan County Museum showcasing local history through artefacts and exhibits. The scenic Rossmore Forest Park provides walking trails amidst lakes and woodlands, while Castle Leslie’s historic estate offers a glimpse into aristocratic life. Other attractions include the county’s traditional lace-making heritage and quiet countryside. Monaghan is Ireland’s sixth smallest county by size (1,291 square km) and fifth smallest by population (65,288). Population peaked at 200,442 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 45,732 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Monaghan is Ireland’s 25th most visited tourist county with around 58,000 international visitors per year.
2024 Irish Restaurant 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
2025 Irish Restaurant 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
