[01/04/2026] The very best in food and hospitality across Connaught were celebrated last night at the Irish Restaurant Awards Connaught Regional Final 2026, the final regional event in this year’s awards programme. The awards took place on Tuesday, March 31st at the Knockranny House Hotel, where county winners from across the province were revealed. 

Over 600 gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafés and hospitality businesses operating throughout Connaught. The event showcased the quality, resilience and innovation that continues to define the region’s hospitality sector. 

Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards attracted over 150,000 public nominations, submitted via The Irish Times, the official media partner. 

Once all regional finals conclude, both Regional and All Ireland winners will be revealed at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 18th at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road. County winners from Connaught are now invited to secure tickets for the national ceremony. 

Addressing attendees, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: 

“Connaught continues to play a vital role in Ireland’s food story, with restaurants and hospitality businesses at the heart of communities across the region. Despite ongoing cost pressures, the standard of food, service and innovation on display remains exceptionally high. These awards are a testament to the resilience and dedication of those working across the sector.” 

“Hospitality is not just about dining, it is about experience, employment and community. The strength of this sector is critical to local economies and to Ireland’s wider tourism offering. Celebrating the excellence in Connaught highlights the importance of supporting these businesses into the future. Congratulations to all of tonight’s nominees and winners.” 

Please find below the full list of this year’s county winners from Connaught: 

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express 

Galway: Lignum 
Leitrim: The Cottage Restaurant 
Roscommon: The Old Stone House Restaurant Roscommon 
Sligo: Eala Bhán 
Mayo: An Port Mór Restaurant 

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service 

Galway: Angelo Vagiotis, The Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey 
Leitrim: Mario Raise, The Courthouse 
Roscommon: Sinead Toolan, My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa 
Sligo: Dave Mullan, Fish & Bean 
Mayo: Shteryo Yurukov, Sage Restaurant 

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt 

Galway: Mathieu Teulier, Blackrock Cottage 
Leitrim: Lorraine McHugh, The Selkie 
Roscommon: Navrish Audit, Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant 
Sligo: Angela Davis, Davis’ Restaurant & Yeats Tavern 
Mayo: John Nevin, Nevin’s Newfield Inn 

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant 

Galway: The Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey 
Leitrim: Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle 
Roscommon: Kilronan Castle 
Sligo: Markree Castle 
Mayo: The Lodge at Ashford Castle 

Employee Excellence – Sponsored by Peninsula 

Galway: Rafael Jesus, Chef Laura Rosso Restaurant 
Leitrim: Catherine Rooney, The Red Bank Restaurant 
Roscommon: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar & Restaurant 
Sligo: Max Stafford, Lyons Café and Bakeshop 
Mayo: Jason Moyles, The Cot and Cobble 

Best Use Of Social Media 

Galway: The Dough Bros 
Leitrim: White Wombat Coffee 
Roscommon: Maki Sushi 
Sligo: Otto 
Mayo: Infused Cocktail & Wine Bar 

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace 

Galway: Mitchell’s Restaurant 
Leitrim: The Selkie 
Roscommon: The Purple Onion Kitchen 
Sligo: Honestly Farm Kitchen Strandhill 
Mayo: Friends Bistro 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes 

Galway: Kombu – Ramen & Bao Bar 
Leitrim: Shudh Indian Restaurant 
Roscommon: Maki Sushi 
Sligo: Bella & Brava Restaurant 
Mayo: La Casa 

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice 

Galway: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry 
Leitrim: The Oarsman 
Roscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant 
Sligo: Austies Pub & Kitchen 
Mayo: JJ O’Malleys 

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance 

Galway: Blackthorn at The Twelve Hotel 
Leitrim: The Red Bank Restaurant 
Roscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant 
Sligo: Hooked 
Mayo: Poacher Restaurant 

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square 

Galway: Fawn Food & Wine 
Leitrim: White Wombat Coffee 
Roscommon: Cox’s Bistro and Café 
Sligo: Miss Suzy Sligo 
Mayo: Daniel’s Kitchen & Bar 

Pub Of The Year 

Galway: Tigh Neachtain 
Leitrim: MJ O’Connor Pub 
Roscommon: Coffeys 
Sligo: Hopkins Bar 
Mayo: McDonnells Bar & Undertakers 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum 

Galway: Daróg Wine Bar 
Leitrim: Di Vino Italian Restaurant 
Roscommon: The Old Stone House Restaurant Roscommon 
Sligo: Hargadon Bros 
Mayo: George V at Ashford Castle 

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie provided by Dolmen 

Galway: Foyles Hotel 
Leitrim: Buffalo Boy 
Roscommon: Abbey Hotel Roscommon 
Sligo: Harrisons Bar & Restaurant 
Mayo: Arno’s Bistrot 

Best Cafe – Sponsored by Illy 

Galway: The Kylemore Kitchen 
Leitrim: Jackalope Café at The Shed Distillery 
Roscommon: Rogue & Co Café 
Sligo: Tank & Skinny’s 
Mayo: Baker 51 

Best Sustainable Practices 

Galway: Kai 
Leitrim: Honestly Farm Kitchen 
Roscommon: My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa 
Sligo: Shells Café 
Mayo: The Creel, Castlebar 

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo 

Galway: Builín Blasta Café & Bakery 
Leitrim: The Boat House Café at Cryans Hotel 
Roscommon: Zunu Bakehouse 
Sligo: Waxies Sligo 
Mayo: Foxford Café 

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency 

Galway: Brian Dilleen, Mad Yolk Farm 
Leitrim: Liam and Justina Gavin, Honestly Farm Kitchen 
Roscommon: Benny O’Connell, Benny’s Deli 
Sligo: Helen Mulholland & Ollie Alcorn, Hawks Rock Distillery 
Mayo: Cillian Ó Móráin & Naomi Clarkin, Mescan Brewery 

Notes to the Editor 

For further information on the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 visit: 
https://irishrestaurantawards.com/faqs/ 

Official photographs from the 2026 Connaught Awards can be found here: https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-connaught-2026/https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-connaught-2026/

Unfortunately, due to the large number of photos taken on the night and the high attendance at the awards, photo captions are not available. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

Photo Credit: Paul Sherwood – https://sherwood.ie/ 

For media enquiries contact liam@rai.ie or call (01) 677 9901.