2025 Award Winners SPECIAL IRISH HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2025

SPECIAL IRISH HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2025

FAMILY FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2025: Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites, Co Clare

At the heart of Lahinch, one of Ireland’s favourite seaside destinations, the Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites makes an ideal base for exploring the Clare stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way and, with its large, comfortable bedrooms, including family suites with separate lounges and kitchens, the hotel is perfectly suited to families. Children are warmly catered for, with fairy fun hidden throughout the hotel, Glenowen artisan ice cream on menus, the leisure centre with its17-metre swimming pool - and, of course, the beach just a short stroll away. And it will be a happy stay here as co-owners John and Bríd O’Meara are well known for their hands-on hospitality and have brought a lovely personal touch to this substantial four-star. Stylishly refurbished in recent years, it has welcoming public areas including spacious lounges and the Aberdeen Bar & Restaurant - named in honour of the Vaughan family’s original hotel - has become a popular dining spot for locals as well as visitors. Local produce is celebrated in crowd-pleasing menus to suit all the family, with specialities such as Burren Smoked Salmon on treacle bread and Lahinch Pale Ale on tap. Breakfast sets the day up well, with homemade breads, Clare Jam Company preserves and a make-your-own pancake station among the highlights. Warm hospitality, excellent facilities, and a terrific seaside location all combine to make this an outstanding destination for families.

PET FRIENDLY DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2025: Gleesons Roscommon, Co Roscommon

Set right in the heart of Roscommon town, overlooking the square, Gleesons is a much-loved townhouse and restaurant run by Mary and Eamonn Gleeson, with their daughter Cáit as General Manager. Over the past quarter of a century, what began as a modest coffee shop with just four rooms has grown into a fine boutique property offering a range of comfortable en-suite bedrooms, wholesome dining and genuine Irish hospitality. The Gleesons’ commitment to warmth and welcome is evident throughout – and that includes their thoughtful pet-friendly policy. As they say on their website: “We love dogs”. And they really mean it. Dogs may sleep in the same room as their owners (in their own beds) without extra charge and, except for the restaurant, they’re welcome in public areas too. This openness, coupled with the relaxed townhouse setting, makes Gleesons a favourite stopping place for those travelling with four-legged companions and it is well worth noting when planning a visit to the region. And of course food has always been at the heart of the Gleeson experience, so you will eat well here. Breakfast is a highlight, offering everything from porridge with honey and cream to a full Irish or poached eggs with avocado and spinach on sourdough, and an all-day menu features house favourites such as a creamy seafood chowder and Mary’s famous Roscommon Lamb Stew, made with lamb from the family’s own farm. With its prime town-centre location, hands-on family management, delicious local food and warm inclusivity – for pets as well as people – Gleesons is not to be missed.

ATMOSPHERIC DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2025: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim

There is something about dining in a former bank that give it the edge when it comes to atmosphere – and even more so when every aspect of the experience is memorable, as it is at The Red Bank. Run and owned by Jason Horkan, it opened in 2020, at the most challenging of times, but it has gone on to earn a loyal following thanks to its combination of style, substance and a genuine passion for hospitality, and is now a shining star of the Carrick-on-Shannon dining scene. Housed in a striking red-brick Victorian building, originally the Provincial Bank (c.1870), guests can enjoy a drink in the bar or on the terrace and the lofty rooms and elegant proportions make a fine setting for relaxed, atmospheric dining. Jason’s infectious enthusiasm for hospitality infuses the restaurant, and the young, well-trained team reflect his commitment to ensuring every guest feels warmly welcomed. Excellent food is the main trump card of course, with menus showcasing the best of local and regional produce and cooking that elevates these superb ingredients with flair. Whether it’s scallops, slow-braised featherblade of beef or a vibrant vegan curry, dishes are beautifully presented and full of flavour. An equally thoughtful drinks list – complete with excellent wines by the glass, craft beers and creative cocktails – complements the menus perfectly, and there’s a lovely buzz adding a little extra magic to the dining experience. Stylish, welcoming and full of atmosphere, this excellent dining destination is one to seek out.

HOST OF THE YEAR 2025: Fern Allen, Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co Cork

For more than half a century Ballymaloe House has been synonymous with Irish hospitality at its best, and at the heart of its enduring charm are the people who welcome guests and make them feel part of the family. Among them, Fern Allen has long embodied the gracious warmth and generosity of spirit that has made this celebrated country house so special. The youngest daughter of Myrtle and Ivan Allen, Fern grew up in the unique world of Ballymaloe and has carried forward her parents’ vision with quiet dedication. Whether welcoming guests at the front door, guiding them through the gardens, or ensuring that every detail of a stay is as it should be, Fern’s presence has always added a deeply personal touch. Known for her genuine interest in people and her instinctive ability to put visitors at ease, she exemplifies the qualities of the true Irish host: kindness, attentiveness, and a gift for creating lasting memories. She knows the small things count and, as one of our team put it, breakfast at Ballymaloe simply wouldn't be the same without her. Fern spends time sharing stories - of Myrtle, of the house, of the staff and gardeners who have all played a part - keeping alive the spirit and history of Ballymaloe and, through her Ballymaloe History Tours, she has given generations of visitors a vivid sense of place and people. In an era when hospitality can so often feel impersonal, Fern Allen continues to remind us of the values that matter most: care, generosity, and a sincere welcome.

LONG HAUL HERO 2025: Fergus & Trish O’Mahony, Mary Ann’s Bar & Restaurant, Castletownshend, Co Cork

In an era when many hospitality ventures rise fast and fade fast, Fergus and Trish (Patricia) O’Mahony are true long haul heroes. Since 1988 they have steered Mary Ann’s Bar & Restaurant in Castletownshend with fierce dedication, keeping alive one of West Cork’s great seafood traditions in a pub whose origins stretch back to 1846. Their love for this place is manifest in every corner. Fergus is as likely to be found up a ladder repainting trim as he is greeting yachties arriving from the harbour, while Trish, a former BIM Seafood Circle Chef of the Year, continues to ensure that the kitchen’s reputation for excellence - the catch-of-the-day, generous seafood platters, their homemade brown bread - never slips. But, much more than a place to eat, this atmospheric old pub and restaurant is a living part of the community and, for many, it sums up Castletownshend. Whether dining in the upstairs restaurant, enjoying summer meals on the paved terrace or in the garden-side Vine Room, enjoying the famous artwork or relishing the beautifully simple traditional bar where regulars feel like family, Mary Ann’s is wonderful. Trish and Fergus have adapted to change over the years while staying true to place and tradition: West Cork freshness - lobster, Union Hall fish, Castlehaven Bay shellfish – and a warm welcome will always be the stars, along with the two of them, for their courage, consistency, and heartfelt hospitality.