Georgina dishes up award Bar One
The awards are an integral part of Georgina Campbell’s independent hospitality guides and of Ireland’s most popular independent hospitality and travel website www.ireland-guide.com. They’re also Ireland’s longest-running food and hospitality awards.
According to the Guide, when Mary and Michael Cadden opened the famous Westport bar and restaurant, The Asgard Tavern, it set a benchmark for food and hospitality in the West, something that they’ve continued to nurture in Castlebar.
Now run by their son Mark – whose brothers operate Dublin’s stylish Saba and Saba to Go – this smart gastropub is the busiest bar food venue in the area and it’s easy to see why…. “This family’s hospitality history in the area dates back to the 1970s. Modern and well-designed, the welcome is warm and friendly – an early sign of the high standards that epitomise this fine pub where hospitality is king. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the kind and well-trained staff and the philosophy of seeking out and taking inspiration from the best local foods and drinks (proudly acknowledged) shows in the flavour and quality on the plate. This must be one of the best-run establishments in the country – and not only is the food superb but, at weekends, it is Castlebar’s night-time hotspot too.”
At the awards, Georgina Campbell pointed out that hospitality’s biggest trend continues to be in drinks and with new craft breweries and independent distilleries opening on an almost weekly basis, while welcome, “…it may be time to take stock.
“While Irish pubs in general are going through a challenging time” she said, “the pub experience remains one of the highlights of a visit to this country for visitors from abroad who love the unique atmosphere and the craic.”
Last year’s Pub of the Year winner was O’Dowd’s of Roundstone in County Galway.
The Twelve Hotel in Barna, Co Galway, won Georgina Campbell’s Hotel of the Year award.
This year’s awards were held at Bord Bia’s Thinking House in Dublin.
