- Best Restaurant: The Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown, A charming neighbourhood restaurant in the village of Jamestown, renowned for its creative modern Irish cuisine using seasonal local ingredients in a welcoming setting.
- Best Chef: Sonata Horkan of The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, An acclaimed chef recognised for her innovative and flavourful cooking, blending classic techniques with fresh Irish produce in this popular town-centre venue.
- Best Gastro Pub: The Oarsman, Carrick-on-Shannon, A vibrant gastro pub celebrated for its high-quality pub food, craft beers, and lively atmosphere in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon.
- Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, An elegant castle restaurant within the historic Lough Rynn Estate, offering refined dining with stunning lake views and a focus on local seasonal fare.
- Best Casual Dining: The Brandywell, location in County Leitrim, A relaxed eatery specialising in approachable, high-quality casual meals with a friendly community vibe.
- Best Café: Jinny’s Tearooms, location in County Leitrim, A delightful tearoom known for its excellent teas, fresh bakes, and cosy, welcoming environment.
- Best Innovator: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, Honoured for creative approaches to dining and strong community engagement in Leitrim.
- Best Wine Experience: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, Recognised for its impressive wine selection and knowledgeable pairings complementing seasonal dishes.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Atmospheric Destination: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, A standout venue celebrated for its evocative, welcoming atmosphere and atmospheric dining experience in a historic town setting.
Good Food Ireland Awards
- Restaurant of the Year Finalist: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, A strong national finalist praised for exceptional culinary experiences and use of high-quality Irish ingredients (joint winners were from other counties).
Restaurants Association of Ireland full list:
The awards ceremony for the Connacht counties in the Restaurant of the Year awards took place on Tuesday 8th April, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Rosses Point, County Sligo. The county Leitrim winners were:
- Overall: The Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown
- Café: Jinny’s Tearooms
- Casual Dining: The Brandywell
- Chef: Sonata Horkan, The Red Bank Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Lavender Restaurant
- Customer Service: The Selkie
- Employee Excellence Award: Mary Burke, Cryans Hotel
- Gastro Pub: The Oarsman
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle
- Innovator: The Red Bank Restaurant
- Local Food Hero: Áine Faughnan of Dromod Boxty
- Newcomer: FIKA
- Pub: Flynn’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Jacinta Callaghan, The Oarsman
- Sustainable Practices: Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway
- Use of Social Media: Buffalo Boy
- Wine Experience: The Red Bank Restaurant
- World Cuisine: Spice India
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
Leitrim:
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 –
Leitrim is a haven of waterways and unspoilt scenery, with the Shannon-Erne Waterway offering tranquil boating and fishing opportunities. Carrick-on-Shannon’s historic Costello Chapel and vibrant marina provide cultural and leisurely appeal, while Glencar Waterfall adds natural beauty. Leitrim is Ireland’s seventh smallest county by size (1,525 square km) and smallest by population (35,199). Population peaked at 155,297 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 25,057 in 1996. In terms of hospitality, Leitrim is Ireland’s 29th most visited tourist county with around 39,000 international visitors per year.
