Lignum in rural Galway near Loughrea, recently accorded Michelin status, received another accolade when it won the county Galway restaurant of the year at the Connacht finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards. The gala awards ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Rosses Point, County Sligo.
The overall restaurant of the year award winners in the Connacht counties were:
- Galway: Lignum, Bullaun, Loughrea
- Leitrim: The Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown
- Mayo: An Port Mór, Westport
- Roscommon: The Old Stone House, Castlerea
- Sligo: Eala Bhán, Sligo
- Overall: Lignum, Bullaun, Loughrea
- Café: POTA
- Casual Dining: Guys Seafood Bar
- Chef: Alice Jary, Rúibín Bar & Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Blackrock Cottage
- Customer Service: Frends Restaurant
- Employee Excellence Award: Jamie Farrell, The Connacht Hotel
- Gastro Pub: McSwiggans
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
- Innovator: Ugly D’s Pizza
- Local Food Hero: Margaret Leahy of Fable Tours
- Newcomer: Oifig An Fish
- Pub: Lowry’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Maude Heslin-Brick, Dela Restaurant
- Sustainable Practices: Kali Coffee Bar
- Use of Social Media: Urban Fire
- Wine Experience: Daróg Wine Bar
- World Cuisine: Mama Rich Woodquay
- 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
- Overall: An Port Mór, Westport
- Café: This Must Be The Place
- Casual Dining: Friends Bistro
- Chef: Yvonne Kathrein, Poacher Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Amethyst Bar
- Customer Service: Arno’s Bistrot
- Employee Excellence Award: Jason Moyles, The Cot and Cobble
- Gastro Pub: The Cot and Cobble
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: George V at Ashford Castle
- Innovator: Jimmys
- Local Food Hero: The Calvey Family of Calveys Achill Mountain Lamb
- Newcomer: La Casa
- Pub: Matt Molloy’s
- Restaurant Manager: Shirley Stirzaker, Dining Room
- Sustainable Practices: Cloona Health Retreat
- Use of Social Media: Mam’s
- Wine Experience: The Kitchen Restaurant at Mount Falcon Estate
- World Cuisine: Olde Bridge Restaurant
- Overall: The Old Stone House, Castlerea
- Café: The Comfy Café
- Casual Dining: Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar & Restaurant
- Chef: Ray O’Connor, The Old Stone House
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Waterfront Restaurant
- Customer Service: Lovage Bistro
- Employee Excellence Award: Dylan Garvey, The Coachman’s Inn
- Gastro Pub: The Purple Onion
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
- Innovator: Éabha’s Street Kitchen
- Local Food Hero: Tímea Kovacs, Healthy Bake Limited
- Newcomer: Nana Anne’s Cafe
- Pub: J.C. Doorly’s – The Corner House
- Restaurant Manager: Navrish Audit, Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry
- Sustainable Practices: Josie’s Cafe
- Use of Social Media: The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
- Wine Experience: The Waterfront Restaurant
- World Cuisine: ZAIQA Restaurant
- Overall: Eala Bhán, Sligo
- Casual Dining: Shells Cafe
- Chef: Paudie O’Brien, The Driftwood
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Lyons Café
- Customer Service: Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern
- Employee Excellence Award: N/A
- Gastro Pub: Austies Pub & Kitchen
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Markree Castle
- Innovator: The Little Cottage Cafe
- Local Food Hero: The Food Trail Network
- Newcomer: Oak Moon Cafe
- Pub: Shoot the Crows
- Restaurant Manager: Declan Harrison, Harrison’s Bar & Restaurant
- Sustainable Practices: Honestly Farm Kitchen
- Use of Social Media: Hooked
- Wine Experience: Lyons Café
- World Cuisine: Stoked
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
