These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Cavan
- 1st Place: Cavan Town – The bustling county town is a hub of activity set amidst the iconic lakeland scenery. Visitors can explore the fascinating Cavan County Museum, enjoy angling and water sports on nearby Lough Oughter, and discover a rich musical tradition in its many pubs, all within a well-presented urban environment.
- 2nd Place: Killeshandra – Deep in the heart of the lakelands, Killeshandra is a picturesque heritage town perched on an island. It’s a paradise for anglers and nature lovers, with the Killykeen Forest Park offering forest trails, cycling, and access to the intricate waterways of Lough Oughter, creating a serene and naturally beautiful retreat.
- 3rd Place: Redhills – A small, tidy village that exemplifies strong community spirit. Its peaceful setting offers a genuine taste of rural Cavan life, with local attractions including the historic St. Patrick’s Church and convenient access to the fishing and boating opportunities on the surrounding network of lakes.
The 2025 Ulster provincial restaurant awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 1st April, Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Road, County Monaghan. Here are the Cavan winners:
- 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
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.
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
