The very best in food and hospitality across Connacht were celebrated last week at the Irish Restaurant Awards Connaught Regional Final 2026, the final regional event in this year’s awards programme. The awards took place 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 & Bart Adons, Mescan Brewery
