2019 Award Winners NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2019

The Foyle Hotel, Moville, Co Donegal

This is always one of our most exciting awards … the ‘short list’ is anything but - and how could it be otherwise when the establishments under consideration are all fresh and new and full of enthusiasm? Recent openings have mainly been in cities, especially Dublin, so it is particularly pleasing to give recognition to an exciting new business in a much less obvious location.

A wide main street lined with impressive Victorian buildings hints at the significant history of this handsome town on the shores of Lough Foyle. Once a port used by transatlantic travellers, it now plays a more relaxed role as a northern stop-off on the 1,700 mile Wild Atlantic Way driving route - and the Foyle Hotel by Chef Brian Mc Dermott will be first port of call for many. Well known throughout Ireland as a TV chef and teacher with a great commitment to promoting the superb produce of his native Donegal and the North-West of Ireland, Brian McDermott and his wife Brenda have restored the old Foyle Hotel to create a boutique hotel, wine bar and informal dining destination that is sure to attract many more visitors to this beautiful area - and with another well known and like-minded chef, Derek Creagh, as Head Chef, and Monto Mansour as Head Pastry Chef, this now one of the most exciting kitchen teams in the region.