Good Karma: Local firms in the running for Irish hospitality awards

Karma nightclub, the Wineport Lodge Hotel and the Corner House Bistro restaurant are among the Athlone-area businesses that have been nominated for the upcoming Irish Hospitality awards. 

The black tie event will be held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin on Monday, February 12. 

This is the second year of the Irish Hospitality Awards and the nominees in all 30 categories were announced in recent days. 

Karma nightclub, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, was one of ten venues nominated for the 'Best Nightclub' award. Along with Vanity nightclub in Carrickmacross, it was one of just two nominees in this category from outside Dublin and Cork. 

The Wineport Lodge in Glasson was nominated in two categories. The hotel overlooking Lough Ree is in contention for the  'Boutique Hotel of the Year' and 'Romantic Hotel of the Year' titles. 

Nearby pub The Three Jolly Pigeons has received a nomination in the 'Best Sports Bar' category. 

Meanwhile, the Corner House Bistro in Athlone is in the running for the 'Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year' award. 

The Body and Soul Festival in Westmeath's Ballinlough Castle has been nominated for the 'Best Irish Festival' award, while Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly was shortlisted in the 'Best Day Out' and 'Best Entertaining Team' categories. 

The Irish Hospitality Awards are organised by Creative Oceanic, a company which been delivering awards ceremonies over the last seven years in the UK and Ireland.