2021 Award Winners 'HAPPY PLACE' AWARD 2021

'HAPPY PLACE' AWARD 2021

HOTEL: Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort Ballymena Co Antrim

Well located for visiting the North Antrim coast and set amidst beautiful scenery, with the River Maine running through the grounds, this former gentleman’s residence now proclaims its place as Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel and spa - and few who have visited it would argue with the claim. The flagship property of the Galgorm Collection (which the charming Old Inn at Crawfordsburn has recently joined) it’s long been a favourite of the Guide’s and not only for its comfort, superb facilities (including equestrian) and outstanding food, but because of the sense of space and terrific staff who manage large numbers - guests attending several concurrent weddings, for example - brilliantly, while retaining a pleasant atmosphere and a sense of privacy. This experience has stood the hotel in good stead during Covid, giving total confidence in the safety measures in place while ensuring that a visit here is always fun and relaxing. As they say themselves, it’s the perfect escape.

RESTAURANT: An Port Mór Westport Co Mayo

Named for Portmór House in proprietor-chef Frankie Mallon’s home town of Blackwatertown in Co Armagh, this is a warmly atmospheric place that never fails to delight. Frankie’s stated promise - 'to give the customer the very best in local fresh produce and value for money' – is always fulfilled and then some, and he is acknowledged as cooking some of the best food in the area, in a creative yet no nonsense modern Irish style that’s noted for good saucing and big flavours. There's a strong emphasis on fish and local meats, especially lamb, and front of house staff are friendly locals with a knowledge of the food producers showcased on the menu – who, true to Frankie’s Euro-Toques principles, are enthusiastically credited. All of which adds up to a caring ethos that marries well with confidently managed safety measures, so everyone can relax. But most of all there’s Frankie himself, with his big smile and love of the job. Why wouldn’t you be happy here?

CAFÉ: Good Day Deli Cork

An oasis in the walled gardens of the beautiful Nano Nagle Place, overlooking Cork city, this unusual sustainable foods deli and café is run by Clare Condon and her New Zealander partner Kristin Makirere, who is from the Cook lslands. Here, Clare and Kristin feel that Mana Tiaki, or guardianship of heritage and the environment for future generations, is a beautiful value to live by - and totally appropriate at this state-of-the-art educational and heritage facility, where Nano Nagle’s vision of empowerment through education, community inclusion and spiritual engagement for a changing world is celebrated. Celebrating local and sustainable are the guidelines at Good Day Deli and not only do you see it all through the menu, morning and afternoon, but it follows through in the deliciously good food delivered on the plate as well. As to Covid - with its well managed booking system, spacious indoor dining, garden terrace and gazebo seating, Good Day Deli is a wonderful refuge from the city and the outside world. A truly happy place.

PUB: Blairs Inn Cloghroe Co Cork

In a quiet, wooded setting near Blarney, this pretty riverside pub is run by John and Anne Blair and their sons Duncan and Richie, a warmly hospitable family who take real pride in welcoming visitors. Duncan, who trained at Ballymaloe, works alongside a long-established kitchen team and they are proud to serve skilfully cooked hearty traditional fare and wood-fired pizzas that stand out for the quality of the ingredients - which include plenty of Cork and Kerry produce, especially local Angus beef and seafood. There’s an impressive range of craft beers, ciders and Irish gins too – and charming surroundings both inside and out, in which to enjoy them. The riverside beer garden has always been very pleasant but now, after ‘putting in the effort’ thanks to Covid it’s their pride and joy. It’s hard to imagine anywhere more pleasant to enjoy good food, drink and convivial company and the feedback reflects that. Typically modest, they just say, “We're lucky to have such great staff and even better customers, who seem to support us not matter what we do. It has been great to get the buzz back in the garden again”. Fair play.

RADIO: Neven Maguire MacNean House & Restaurant Blacklion Co Cavan

As we’re all too aware these days, we need to mind our all-round wellbeing and keep positive – and what better way better to get to that happy place than by listening to the inimitable Marty Whelan’s breakfast show on RTE LyricFM (Monday-Friday, 7-10am). What a great start to the day and especially on Fridays when the nation’s favourite chef, Neven Maguire, joins him to share some deliciously do-able recipes. While rightly recognised for the stunning fine dining experience that he offers at his Blacklion destination MacNean Restaurant, Neven’s particular talent has always been his ability to slip back to the homely cooking that he learned in his mum’s kitchen. Thanks to this and his lovely personality, Neven relates naturally to home cooks everywhere – and, during the long weeks and months of lockdown when cooking became one of the big national pastimes for us all (including many who had never cooked before), his encouragingly easy recipes and handy tips helped to keep things fresh and cheered everyone up enormously.