- Overall (Best Restaurant): Square Restaurant (Dundalk): This bijou fine-dining spot in Dundalk town centre is acclaimed for its modern Irish cuisine rooted in local, seasonal ingredients. It offers elegant, creative dishes with bold flavours in an intimate, stylish setting, consistently recognised as a top destination in Louth for its quality, innovation, and exceptional value.
- Cafe: Strandfield (Ballymascanlon): A multi-award-winning family-run Cafe, florist, and grocer north of Dundalk (near Ballymascanlon), celebrated for its fresh bakes, quality coffee, light meals, and welcoming rural atmosphere. It has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, previously earning national best Cafe honours for its consistent excellence and community appeal.
- Casual Dining: Kingfisher Bistro (Carlingford): This popular bistro in scenic Carlingford delivers relaxed, high-quality casual meals with a focus on fresh, local produce and hearty options. It stands out for its friendly vibe, great value, and strong community support, making it a go-to spot for everyday dining in the Cooley Peninsula area.
- Chef: Mark Gormley, The Clermont (Blackrock): Head chef Mark Gormley at The Clermont in Blackrock (near Dundalk) is honoured for his skilful, creative leadership in the kitchen. He produces flavourful, well-executed dishes-often with modern twists on classics-using quality ingredients, earning praise for his talent and contributions to the venue’s reputation.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Spotted Dog (Dundalk): This Dundalk venue specialises in modern interpretations of Irish classics, emphasising seasonal, local produce in approachable yet elevated dishes. It offers a cosy, welcoming environment with a focus on fresh flavours and hearty pub-style dining with contemporary flair.
- Customer Service: Carrickdale Hotel and Spa (Ravensdale): This hotel in Ravensdale excels in outstanding hospitality and customer service, with a dedicated team delivering warm, attentive, and professional experiences across its dining and accommodation offerings in a scenic, family-friendly setting.
- Employee Excellence Award: Kate Traynor, Carlingford Brewing Company (Carlingford): Kate Traynor is recognised for her exceptional dedication, teamwork, and outstanding performance in delivering top-tier service and guest experiences at Carlingford Brewing Company, exemplifying excellence in hospitality and contributing significantly to the venue’s success.
- Gastro Pub: Blue Anchor (Bellurgan): A standout gastropub in Bellurgan (near Dundalk), known for its elevated pub food using fresh, local ingredients, alongside a strong drinks selection and welcoming atmosphere. It combines traditional Irish pub charm with quality dining, hearty dishes, and excellent hospitality in a coastal community setting.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Scholars Townhouse Hotel (Drogheda): This historic boutique hotel in the heart of Drogheda (originally a Christian Brothers monastery) features an award-winning 2AA rosette restaurant and gastrolounge serving modern Irish cuisine with international influences. It offers elegant dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a stylish, family-run setting with a focus on quality ingredients and welcoming atmosphere.
- Innovator of the Year: King of Kefir (Ardee): Based in Ardee at NEST, this craft producer creates organic, sugar-free, naturally sparkling water kefir drinks using traditional fermentation methods for gut health benefits. It stands out for innovative, clean-label beverages as healthier alternatives to sugary soft drinks, with recent gold awards recognising its refreshing profiles and sustainable approach.
- Local Food Hero: Kian Lou√´t-Feisser, Carlingford Oyster Company (Carlingford): Kian Lou√´t-Feisser leads this family-run oyster farm in Carlingford Lough (established in the late 1960s by his father Peter). He champions world-renowned Carlingford oysters, thriving on the lough’s nutrient-rich tides, promoting sustainable aquaculture, provenance, and supplying premium fresh oysters while continuing generational expertise in the industry.
- Newcomer: East (Drogheda): This vibrant new venue on West Street in Drogheda offers daytime Cafe-style eats and coffee, transitioning to authentic Mexican cuisine (tacos, cocktails, and more) Thursday to Sunday evenings, plus weekend brunch. It quickly gained popularity for its fun atmosphere, entertainment, great food, and lively vibe in a central town location.
- Pub of the Year: The Vinegar Man (Dundalk): A beloved traditional pub in Dundalk, recognised for its authentic Irish pub experience, excellent drinks selection, warm hospitality, and strong community appeal. It combines classic pub charm with welcoming service, making it a standout local favourite in the county.
- Restaurant Manager: Wayne Fitzpatrick, No. 3 Wine Bar & Restaurant (Collon): Wayne Fitzpatrick is honoured for his exceptional leadership and management at No. 3 Wine Bar & Restaurant in Collon, delivering outstanding service standards, warm hospitality, and operational excellence that contribute to the venue’s success and guest satisfaction.
- Sustainable Practices: Forge Field Farm Coffee Shop (Termonfeckin): This farm-based coffee shop in Termonfeckin excels in eco-friendly operations, focusing on sustainable sourcing, local produce, waste reduction, and green practices in its Cafe management and food preparation, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the sector.
- Use of Social Media: Mo Chara (Dundalk): This Dundalk spot is celebrated for its highly engaging and effective social media strategy, which brilliantly showcases its offerings, events, food, atmosphere, and community connections to build a strong online presence and customer loyalty.
- Wine Experience: D’Vine Bistro & Tapas Bar (Drogheda): This Drogheda venue delivers an exceptional wine programme with a curated selection, expert knowledge, thoughtful pairings, and knowledgeable service that complement its tapas and bistro cuisine, earning praise for outstanding wine-focused hospitality.
- World Cuisine: Sitar Indian Restaurant & Takeaway (Dundalk): A popular Indian restaurant and takeaway in Dundalk, specialising in authentic, flavourful curries, tandoori dishes, and classic Indian favourites with consistent quality and generous portions. It is recognised for excellence in world (primarily Indian) cuisine and welcoming neighbourhood dining.
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 (Ballymascanlon)
- Casual Dining: Kingfisher Bistro (Carlingford)
- Chef: Mark Gormley, The Clermont (Blackrock)
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Spotted Dog (Dundalk)
- Customer Service: Carrickdale Hotel and Spa (Ravensdale)
- Employee Excellence Award: Kate Traynor, Carlingford Brewing Company (Carlingford)
- Gastro Pub: Blue Anchor (Bellurgan)
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Scholars Townhouse Hotel (Drogheda)
- Innovator of the Year: King of Kefir (Ardee)
- Local Food Hero: Kian Louët-Feisser, Carlingford Oyster Company (Carlingford)
- Newcomer: East (Drogheda)
- Pub of the Year: The Vinegar Man (Dundalk)
- Restaurant Manager: Wayne Fitzpatrick, No. 3 Wine Bar & Restaurant (Collon)
- Sustainable Practices: Forge Field Farm Coffee Shop (Termonfeckin)
- Use of Social Media: Mo Chara (Dundalk)
- Wine Experience: D’Vine Bistro & Tapas Bar (Drogheda)
- World Cuisine: Sitar Indian Restaurant & Takeaway (Dundalk)
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
Dining
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
2026 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
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
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.
