2019 Award Winners HOST OF THE YEAR 2019

John Edward Joyce, The Mustard Seed, Ballingarry, Co Limerick

Every time a visitor satisfaction survey is published the results are the same, with Ireland’s wonderful scenery (still impressive, despite our best efforts over the last decade) and the warmth and friendliness of the people coming up trumps every time. There was some slippage in the boom years, when visitors were not always welcomed by staff familiar with the local area, and staff in the larger establishments were often too busy to give the individual attention that makes a stay memorable - and we are still
encountering too many examples of unwelcoming staff and offhand, uninterested service. But when it is right, Irish hospitality really is unique.

Times change and life moves on, a fact that can be hard to accept for regular guests when a much-loved host decides to retire - but there were no such worries at this wonderful country house and restaurant when the time came for a change of guard. Established in 1985 as a restaurant by that great Limerick hotelier, Dan Mullane, The Mustard Seed started life in Adare and later moved just ten minutes drive away to Echo Lodge, a spacious Victorian hideaway set on seven acres of lovely gardens, with mature trees, shrubberies, kitchen garden and orchard - and very luxurious accommodation. Deciding to retire in 2016, Dan passed the baton to long time manager, John Edward Joyce, and this magical hideaway could not be in safer hands. The transition was seamless, and everyone is happy. Whether it be welcoming new guests on arrival, reminiscing with regulars, or guiding diners towards the best wine choice to accompany Chef Angel Pirev’s superb dinners, John Edward is the genial host par excellence – and his long association with the house, and the area, makes him the perfect guide, ensuring that the very best time is had by all. Just what Irish hospitality is all about in fact.