The Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare

Is it a pub? Or is it a restaurant? Much as the term ‘gastropub’ jars the nerves, it must be admitted that it just about sums this place up – you could certainly drop in here for a coffee, or a drink in the Back Bar (their wine list is excellent), but the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Barry and Georgina O’Sullivans country pub, The Ballymore Inn, is food.

Or, to be more precise, the particular food they have made their trademark – based on tiptop ingredients (sources are proudly credited on menus) and simply stylish, without any of the cheffy complications that spoil many a good meal these days, the cooking at The Ballymore Inn is outstanding for its freshness, flavour and value for money.

Georgina – well known to the public from her former advisory role at Bord Bia – is interested in food trends and this brings a contemporary note and frequent menu changes, but the basics (28 day dry-aged steaks from West Cork, for example) are constant.

Appealing menus and imaginative, carefully selected, drinks lists are both designed to be accessible in straitened times, but no short cuts are allowed – this, together with skilful cooking, and great hospitality from Barry and Georgina and their well-trained team, are the reasons for choosing The Ballymore Inn as our Pub of the Year.