In the run up to the All-Ireland Finals of the 2019 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 Cocktail Experience, Best Private Dining & Club and Best Seafood Experience. The national winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on May 13th at the Clayton, Burlington Road.

The national shortlist for Best Cookery School is as follows:

• BALLYKNOCKEN HOUSE, FARM AND COOKERY SCHOOL
• BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL ORGANIC FARM AND GARDENS
• COOKS ACADEMY COOKERY SCHOOL DUBLIN
• DUBLIN COOKERY SCHOOL
• GROW HQ
• KILLYBEGS CATERING COLLEGE 
• TANNERY
• THE NEVEN MAGUIRE COOKERY SCHOOL

The national shortlist for Best Digital Marketing is as follows:

• ADARE MANOR
• CHAPTER ONE RESTAURANT
• DOUGH BROS
• GROW HQ
• HAPPY PEAR
• MICHAEL’S MOUNT MERRION
• PICHET 
• SABA – CLARENDON STREET
• SUESEY STREET
• THE BREHON HOTEL AND ANGSANA SPA

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

• FITZWILLIAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB
• KILDARE STREET AND UNIVERSITY CLUB
• MEDLEY – PRIVATE DINING AND PARTY VENUE
• NO. 25 FITZWILLIAM PLACE
• ROYAL CORK YACHT CLUB
• ROYAL IRISH YACHT CLUB
• ROYAL ST. GEORGE YACHT CLUB
• STEPHENS GREEN HIBERNIAN CLUB
• ULSTER REFORM CLUB
• WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS 

The national shortlist for Best Seafood Experience is as follows:

• CLIFF TOWNHOUSE
• FISH SHOP, BENBURB ST
• FISHY FISHY
• KILLYBEGS SEAFOOD SHACK
• KLAW BY NIALL SABONGI
• LOBSTAR
• MICHAEL’S MOUNT MERRION
• MOORINGS AND BRIDGE BAR
• MOURNE SEAFOOD BAR
• OUT OF THE BLUE 

The national shortlist for Best Cocktail Experience is as follows:

• 9 BELOW
• BAR NO. 23 (THE MERRION HOTEL)
• CAFÉ EN SEINE
• CANDLELIGHT BAR @ SIAM THAI RESTAURANT DUNDRUM
• HYDE BAR GALWAY
• TACK ROOM AT ADARE MANOR
• THE BLIND PIG
• THE EXCHEQUER DUBLIN 2
• THE SIDECAR BAR AT THE WESTBURY HOTEL
• TWELVE HOTEL BARNA

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