In the run up to the All-Ireland Finals of the 2018 Irish Restaurant Awards, The Restaurants Association of Ireland have released the shortlist for their coveted national categories. The national categories are inclusive of all elements of the hospitality industry in Ireland, including Best Cookery School, Best Digital Marketing, Best Private Dining & Club and Best Seafood Experience. The national winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on May 14th at the Clayton, Burlington Road.

The national shortlist for Best Cookery School is as follows:

• Aniar Restaurant And Boutique Cookery School
• Ballyknocken House Farm And Cookery School –
• Ballymaloe Cookery School Organic Farm And Gardens
• Cooks Academy Cookery School Dublin
• Dingle Cookery School
• Dublin Cookery School
• Kevin Thorntons Kooks
• Macnean House And Restaurant
• Picado Mexican Pantry
• Tannery Restaurant

The national shortlist for Best Digital Marketing is as follows:

• Crackbird
• Dough Bros
• Fade Street Social
• Happy Pear
• Idaho Cafe
• Kai Restaurant
• Loam Restaurant
• Saba
• Two Boys Brew
• West Restaurant At The Twelve Hotel

The national Shortlist for Best Private Dining & Club is as follows:

• Ballyfin Demesne 5 Star Hotel
• Cliff Townhouse
• Hayfield Manor Hotel
• K Club
• Locks Windsor Terrace
• Macnean House And Restaurant
• Mount Juliet Estate And Golf Club
• Pullman Restaurant
• Suesey Street
• Waterford Castle Hotel And Golf Resort

The national shortlist for Best Seafood Experience is as follows:

• Eithnas By The Sea Restaurant
• Fish Shop Queen St
• Fishy Fishy Kinsale
• Hooked Galway
• King Sitric
• Klaw The Seafood Cafe
• La Cote Seafood Restaurant
• Michaels Mount Merrion
• Morans Oyster Cottage
• Mourne Seafood Bar

For more information on The Irish Restaurant Awards please contact the RAI office on 01 6779901 or events@rai.ie.