Dozens of Ulster restaurants and bars have been named on the shortlist for the all Ireland awards due to take place later this year.
The Ulster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Tuesday.
Nearly restaurant and hospitality business owners gathered at the venue for the awards ceremony, where it winners were announced for each county in various categories.
Paul Linehan, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, the organisers, noted that the awards attracted over 130,000 public votes.
"This sheer number of votes highlight the support and appreciation by the general public for our hospitality sector and all who contribute to it," Mr Linehan.
"The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing, and up and coming talent, in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without their dedicated and passionate staff."
He added the awards "showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, hotels, pubs and restaurants of Ireland".
The county winners will now be in the hat to compete for the regional and all Ireland titles to be announced at a final gathering at the Clayton Hotel ion the Burlington Road in south Dublin on May 15th.
Local Food Hero
Antrim – Phil Ervine, Taste and Tour
Armagh – John & Sarah Murray, Embers
Cavan – Imelda Mullen, The Cottage Market
Derry – Kevin Pyke, Pykes “N” Pommes
Donegal – Chris Molloy, The Lemon Tree
Down – Peter Hannan, Hannan Meats
Fermanagh – Marty McAdam, The Street Kitchen Enniskillen
Tyrone – Colin McMenamin, The Red Pepper
Monaghan – Karl Breen, Wild Thyme Restaurant
Best Sustainable Practices
Antrim – Academy Restaurant, Ulster University
Armagh – Killeavy Castle Estate
Cavan – Cabra Castle Hotel
Derry – The City Hotel Derry
Donegal – Rathmullan House
Down – Slieve Donard Hotel
Fermanagh – Manor House Country Hotel
Tyrone – Corick House Hotel & Spa
Monaghan – The Hillgrove Hotel
Innovator of the Year
Antrim – Flout Belfast
Armagh – The Corner House Bar
Cavan – Blossoms Tea Rooms & Garden Centre
Derry – Brøn Cafe Bar and Restaurant
Donegal – The Bluestack Shack
Down – Frae
Fermanagh – The Giddy Box
Tyrone – The Millstonebar and Restaurant
Monaghan – The Hive
Free From
Antrim – Home
Armagh – The Portmor
Cavan – Chapter One Food & Living
Derry – Cedar Restaurant
Donegal – Chandpur Restaurant
Down – The Smugglers Table
Fermanagh – Milly’s Restaurant
Tyrone – The Tailor’s House
Monaghan – The Hive
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine
Antrim – Blank
Armagh – Clenaghans Restaurant
Cavan – People’s Restaurant
Derry – The Sooty Olive
Donegal – Narrow Quarter
Down – The Cuan
Fermanagh – Finn Lough
Tyrone – The Banks Restaurant
Monaghan – Wild Thyme Restaurant
Best Restaurant Manager
Antrim – Alain Kerloc’h, OX
Armagh – James Scott, The Bawn Pantry
Cavan – Ola Kavanagh, The Oak Room Restaurant
Derry – James McKee, District 45
Donegal – Orhan Enric, Harveys Point
Down – Saul McConnell, Noble
Fermanagh – Mario Breban-McDonald, Tully Mill Restaurant
Tyrone – Ellen McCabrey, Chapter V
Monaghan – Emma Aughey, The Squealing Pig
Best Wine Experience
Antrim – La Bottega
Armagh – Wine and Brine
Cavan – The Olde Post Inn
Derry – Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’Hagan
Donegal – Fisk
Down – Noble
Fermanagh – 28 At The Hollow
Tyrone – The Wine Rack
Monaghan – Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate
Best Café
Antrim – Neighbourhood
Armagh – Caife Mhacha
Cavan – Tillie’s Tea Romms
Derry – The Pickled Duck
Donegal – Thyme Out
Down – The Bearded Goat
Fermanagh – The Toastery
Tyrone – Moy Larder
Monaghan – Screaming Bean Café
Best World Cuisine
Antrim – Bo Tree
Armagh – Shapla
Cavan – Chilli Lounge
Derry – Mekong
Donegal – Bella Dona
Down – Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro
Fermanagh – Taco Loco
Tyrone – Tusk
Monaghan – Eastern Balti
Best Newcomer
Antrim – Roam
Armagh – Sojourn Coffee
Cavan – Fika 33
Derry – Coupe
Donegal – Curry Cottage
Down – Joxer Holywood
Fermanagh – The Dog and Duck Inn
Tyrone – The Banks Restaurant
Monaghan – The Castle Bar & Restaurant
Pub of the Year
Antrim – John Hewitt
Armagh – Hole in the Wall
Cavan – White’s Bar
Derry – Sandinos
Donegal – The Forge
Down – Maghera Inn
Fermanagh – Devenish Bar
Tyrone – Tomneys Bar
Monaghan – The Coachhouse & Olde Bar
Best Casual Dining
Antrim – Edo
Armagh – Sally McNally’s
Cavan – The Oak Room Restaurant
Derry – El Tapas Grá
Donegal – Andersons Boathouse Restaurant and Accommodation
Down – Frae
Fermanagh – Dollakis
Tyrone – Salleys Restaurant
Monaghan – The Batch Loaf
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant
Antrim – River Room Restaurant at Galgorm
Armagh – Newforge House
Cavan – MacNean House and Restaurant
Derry – The Gown, Bishops Gate Hotel
Donegal – Harveys Point
Down – The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro
Fermanagh – Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne
Tyrone – The Sika 1888 @ The Cedar Country Hotel
Monaghan – Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate
Best Customer Service
Antrim – Blank
Armagh – Newforge House
Cavan – MacNean House and Restaurant
Derry – Shipquay Restaurant
Donegal – Rathmullan House
Down – Brunel’s
Fermanagh – Francos
Tyrone – Oysters Restaurant
Monaghan – Neighbourhood
Best Gastro Pub
Antrim – Deer’s Head
Armagh – Digby’s Bar & Restaurant
Cavan – Murph’s Gastro Pub
Derry – Walled City Brewery
Donegal – Olde Castle Bar
Down – The Dirty Duck
Fermanagh – Granny Annies
Tyrone – The Brewer’s House
Monaghan – Andy’s Bar & Restaurant
Best Chef
Antrim – Gareth McCaughey, The Muddlers Club
Armagh – Chris McGowan, Wine and Brine
Cavan – Carmel McGirr MacNean House and Restaurant
Derry – Ian Orr, Browns Bonds Hill
Donegal – Ciaran Sweeney, The Olde Glen Bar
Down – Pearson Morris, Noble
Fermanagh – Glen Wheeler, 28 At The Hollow
Tyrone – Conor McCabrey, Chapter V
Monaghan – Conor Mee, Courthouse Restaurant
Best Restaurant
Antrim – OX
Armagh – Wine and Brine
Cavan – MacNean House and Restaurant
Derry – Browns Bonds Hill
Donegal – The Olde Glen Bar
Down – Noble
Fermanagh – 28 At The Hollow
Tyrone – Chapter V
Monaghan – Courthouse Restaurant
