Coffeys bar wins 'Pub of the Year' at Irish Restaurant Awards regional final

The iconic Coffeys Bar in Lecarrow was named as ‘Pub of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Connaught Regional Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2023, which took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Sligo last night (Tuesday).

Coffeys was one of two hospitality businesses from South Roscommon to be named among the list of winners on the night, with Les Petite Tartes in Athleague winning the ‘Best Café’ award.

Bastion K2tchen, which is based in Castlerea and is owned and operated by Josie Colleran, won two awards at the Connaught Regional Finals last night, winning the ‘Best Free From’ award and also the ‘Innovator of the Year’ title, which was a brand new award only introduced this year.

Bastion K2tchen opened in January 2020, during the pandemic.

All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday, May 15 next in Dublin’s Clayton Hotel.

Over 600 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at last night’s Awards event, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Connaught turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.

Speaking at the Connaught Regional Awards, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said; “Now in their 14th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns with a record-breaking number of public nominations (over 130,000). This sheer number of votes highlights the support and appreciation of the general public for our hospitality sector and all who contribute to it. 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."