Leading pubs crowned at La Mon Awards

Leading pubs crowned at La Mon Awards

Matthew Anne Davey pictured at Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2014, where The Maghera Inn, Castlewellan won Best Food Pub.

 

 

The search to find some of Northern Ireland’s best pubs came to an end recently as the cream of the local hospitality industry gathered at La Mon Hotel & Country Club for the Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2014.

A total of 38 shortlisted premises from right across Northern Ireland went head-to-head in 10 categories.

There could only be one winner for the overall Pub of the Year 2014 award – which was clinched by The Goat’s Toe in Bangor.

Judges commented that The Goat’s Toe “clearly cares about its customers and community”; that it has a “strong, enthusiastic committed workforce” and “the management team are brimming over with fantastic and unusual ideas”. The judges also commended the venue for “championing local music and local food to achieve a wide and varied age profile of customers that all enjoy the venue side-by-side”.

Celebrating the award win, Andrew Gedge of The Goat’s Toe said it was “a real honour”:

 “Our entire team works so hard and we are continually improving our premises to ensure we stay at the top of our game,” he added. “Most recently, we installed a unique rooftop beer garden that’s open all year round and features its own bar and caravan, it has become a great talking point for regulars and visitors alike.

 A total of 10 awards were handed out at the ceremony, which was hosted by Cool FM presenter, Pete Snodden and attended by VIP guests including Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton; mindreader and mentalist, David Meade; BBC weatherman, Barra Best and actor, Charlie Lawson (Coronation Street’s Jim McDonald).

In Belfast, Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant scooped Best Big Idea; Shiro was named the winner of Best Marketing Idea; The Albany won Best New /Improved Pub and The National Grande Café won Best Pub Week Event. Further afield, the Adair Arms in Ballymena was awarded the Best Hotel Bar title; Clare Johnston of The Railway Arms in Coleraine was crowned Best Barperson in association with Sunday Life; Sallys of Omagh clinched Best Charity Event; The Maghera Inn in Castlewellan won the Best Food title and The Wild Duck Inn in Portglenone picked up the Best Entertainment award.

Commenting on the awards, Mark Stewart, chairman of Pubs of Ulster, added: “Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards recognise and reward excellence and the important contribution local pubs make, not only within their own communities, but to the hospitality industry as a whole. This year, we received our highest level of entries to date. The high standard of our finalists is a clear indication of the increasing professionalism and quality of pubs right across Northern Ireland.”