Top Georgina Campbell award for Beech Hill

The Beech Hill Country House Hotel in Londonderry has been named Hotel of the Year 2015 at the Georgina Campbell Awards in Dublin.

And Harry’s Shack, a bistro on Portstewart Strand which opened in August, has taken the title of Newcomer of the Year.

The Georgina Campbell Awards are Ireland’s longest-running awards for the hospitality industry. Every year, Georgina Campbell and a team of assessors comb the country’s hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs and cafes to find the best consumer experiences for readers of The Guide.

Speaking recently, Georgina said:

“Our programme of anonymous assessment visits has continued throughout the season as usual, always keeping a sharp eye out for those exceptional establishments which are right on top of their game and going the extra mile for customers.

“Once again this year, we have found plenty of new ones worthy of recommendation, especially in urban areas, and it is always exciting to see newcomers to the hospitality industry who understand the importance of standards and want visitors to enjoy Irish food and hospitality at its best. We are not seeking perfection but hospitality with real heart, and we’re finding it in clusters of excellence all over the country.”

The Beech Hill House Hotel in Derry is beautifully set in 42 acres of woodland with waterfalls and gardens. Built in 1729, it has retained much of its original detail and also features a US Marines museum, marking the fact that during the Second World War, they had their local headquarters in the building.

At Portstewart, Harry’s Shack is something very different. Run by Donal Doherty – who is also proprietor of the very successful Harry’s Restaurant in Donegal – this unusual venue is owned by the National Trust. It was formerly an office, but the building underwent a major revamp before opening in the summer. Diners can enjoy big picture windows with great coastal views and a menu rich in local shellfish, fish from Greencastle and seasonal produce from Noel Doherty’s walled garden at Burt. Georgina Campbell says “you’ll travel a long way to find food as good as this”.

Derek Creagh, the chef who is ultimately responsible for both Harry’s Restaurant in Donegal and Harry’s Shack in Portstewart, was also named Chef of the Year at the awards.