County winners from across the region of Connaught were announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards Connaught Regional Final, which took place on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Rosses Point, Sligo.
Now celebrating its 16th year, the awards are a hotly anticipated event that showcase the best restaurants, cafés, bars and food service establishments that Ireland has to offer. With over 700 attendees at the Munster regionals, the awards are a hot ticket.
As the regional finals continue, anticipation builds for the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner, which is set to take place on Monday, 19 May 2025, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.
The 2025 county winners from across Connaught are as follows:
Best Restaurant - Sponsored by San Miguel
- Galway: Lignum
- Leitrim: The Cottage Restaurant
- Mayo: An Port Mór
- Roscommon: The Old Stone House
- Sligo: Eala Bhán
Best Chef - Sponsored by BWG Food Service
- Galway: Alice Jary, Rúibín Bar & Restaurant
- Leitrim: Sonata Horkan, The Red Bank Restaurant
- Mayo: Yvonne Kathrein, Poacher Restaurant
- Roscommon: Ray O'Connor, The Old Stone House
- Sligo: Paudie O'Brien, The Driftwood
Best Restaurant Manager - Sponsored by Elavon
- Galway: Maude Heslin-Brick, Dela Restaurant
- Leitrim: Jacinta Callaghan, The Oarsman
- Mayo: Shirley Stirzaker, Dining Room
- Roscommon: Navrish Audit, Keenan's of Tarmonbarry
- Sligo: Declan Harrison, Harrison's Bar & Restaurant
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Sponsored by Frylite
- Galway: Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
- Leitrim: The Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle
- Mayo: George V at Ashford Castle
- Roscommon: The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
- Sligo: Markree Castle
Best Use of Social Media
- Galway: Urban Fire
- Leitrim: Buffalo Boy
- Mayo: Mam's
- Roscommon: The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
- Sligo: Hooked
Employee Excellence Award - Sponsored by Peninsula
- Galway: Jamie Farrell, The Connacht Hotel
- Leitrim: Mary Burke, Cryans Hotel
- Mayo: Jason Moyles, The Cot and Cobble
- Roscommon: Dylan Garvey, The Coachman's Inn
- Sligo: Emma Cavanagh, Nook Cafe and Restaurant
Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace
- Galway: Guys Seafood Bar
- Leitrim: The Brandywell
- Mayo: Friends Bistro
- Roscommon: Hester's Golden Eagle Bar & Restaurant
- Sligo: Shells Cafe
Best Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Paynt
- Galway: McSwiggans
- Leitrim: The Oarsman
- Mayo: The Cot and Cobble
- Roscommon: The Purple Onion
- Sligo: Austies Pub & Kitchen
Best Café
- Galway: POTA
- Leitrim: Jinny's Tearooms
- Mayo: This Must Be The Place
- Roscommon: The Comfy Café
- Sligo: The Jam Pot Cafe
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine - Sponsored by FBD Insurance
- Galway: Blackrock Cottage
- Leitrim: The Lavender Restaurant
- Mayo: Amethyst Bar
- Roscommon: The Waterfront Restaurant
- Sligo: Lyons Café
Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Square
- Galway: Oifig An Fish
- Leitrim: FIKA
- Mayo: La Casa
- Roscommon: Nana Anne's Cafe
- Sligo: Oak Moon Cafe
Pub of the Year - Sponsored by istil.38
- Galway: Lowry's Bar
- Leitrim: Flynn's Bar
- Mayo: Matt Molloy's
- Roscommon: J.C. Doorly's – The Corner House
- Sligo: Shoot the Crows
Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Bibendum
- Galway: Daróg Wine Bar
- Leitrim: The Red Bank Restaurant
- Mayo: The Kitchen Restaurant at Mount Falcon Estate
- Roscommon: The Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle
- Sligo: The Coral Restaurant at Diamond Coast Hotel
Best Customer Service - Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen
- Galway: Frends Restaurant
- Leitrim: The Selkie
- Mayo: Arno's Bistrot
- Roscommon: Lovage Bistro
- Sligo: Davis' Restaurant & Yeats Tavern
Best World Cuisine
- Galway: Mama Rich Woodquay
- Leitrim: Spice India
- Mayo: Olde Bridge Restaurant
- Roscommon: ZAIQA Restaurant
- Sligo: Stoked
Best Sustainable Practices - Sponsored by Familia Torres
- Galway: Kali Coffee Bar
- Leitrim: Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway
- Mayo: Cloona Health Retreat
- Roscommon: Josie’s Cafe
- Sligo: Honestly Farm Kitchen
Innovator of the Year - Sponsored by Diageo
- Galway: Ugly D’s Pizza
- Leitrim: The Red Bank Restaurant
- Mayo: Jimmys
- Roscommon: Éabha’s Street Kitchen
- Sligo: The Little Cottage Cafe
Local Food Hero - Sponsored by Sugar Snap
- Galway: Margaret Leahy, Fable Tours
- Leitrim: Áine Faughnan, Dromod Boxty
- Mayo: The Calvey Family, Calveys Achill Mountain Lamb
- Roscommon: Tímea Kovacs, Healthy Bake Limited
- Sligo: The Sligo Food Trail Network
