Michelin stars and gold standard awards abound for some of Ireland’s most prestigious hotels
Adare Manor celebrate as they retain Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Rating for 2024
Adare Manor has retained their Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Rating for 2024. The Guide notes that recipients of this prestigious award have demonstrated a unique and unwavering commitment to elevating the guest experience with staff as passionate as they are exacting in the delivery of their service.
In addition to retaining their Five-Star rating, General Manager at Adare Manor, Brendan O’Connor, has been invited to Forbes Travel Guide’s Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) for the 2024-2025 term. This exclusive role is extended by invitation only to the most well-regarded experts in hospitality and luxury brands from around the world.
Earlier this week The Oak Room at Adare Manor celebrated retaining their Michelin Star for another year with Adare Manor gaining global recognition for consistently delivering an exceptional experience having recently been announced as the No. 1 Resort in Europe at both the 2023 and 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Conrad Dublin named Four-Star Recommended Hotel in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Star Awards
With its tastefully appointed suites and acclaimed dining venues; The Coburg, Lemuel’s, and The Terrace Kitchen & Social House, all operated by a team of dedicated professionals, Conrad Dublin offers a sanctuary of comfort and sophistication to its discerning guests. Beyond its luxurious amenities, however, it is also committed to sustainability and community engagement.
Regarding the new Four-Star Rating, Andrew Moore, General Manager Conrad Dublin expressed that the award is a welcome start to 2024, saying:
“As we embark on a new year, we are honoured by Forbes Travel Guide’s acknowledgment of Conrad Dublin’s commitment to excellence. This award is a testament to the dedication of our team members, whose exceptional service and unwavering passion have contributed to our success. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional experiences for our guests in 2024 and beyond.”
Finalists and regional winners announced for the 10th annual Just Eat Awards
Twenty-eight Just Eat partners have been shortlisted for an award, including Chimac, Griolladh, Handsome Burger, Zambrero, Roosters Piri Piri, Pompeii Pizza, Daata and Centra. Amigo in Waterford (Munster), Birdhouse in Galway (Connacht & Ulster), and Dublin Pizza Company (Leinster) win regional awards and are now finalists in the prestigious ‘Best of Ireland’ category. As well as this, top Irish chefs JP McMahon, Erica Drum, and Nico Reynolds will judge the ‘Best of Ireland’ category, sampling the menus of Birdhouse, Amigo and Dublin Pizza Company to choose a winner.
In addition to the ‘Best of Ireland’ category, twenty five more Just Eat partners and the very best restaurants, grocery, and convenience outlets across the country will be recognised for their commitment to delivery excellence across nine other categories. Winners of the 10th annual Just Eat Awards will be announced by TV presenter and podcaster Muireann O’Connell at the Marker Hotel, Dublin next month.
Five Irish businesses selected for inaugural Creative Business Cup Competition
Mersus Technologies, Script Guru by Mekkato Createch Studios, Wonky Woollins, Isolde and Grá Chocolates, have all been selected as the national finalists for the first ever Irish Creative Business Cup.
CREW (Creative Enterprise West), a prominent advocate for innovative startups in the creative industries was announced as the Irish National Partner for the Global Creative Business Cup (CBC) in late 2023. The CBC is a renowned international startup competition spanning more than 60 countries, celebrating the synergy of innovation and entrepreneurship. It gives companies the opportunity to showcase their pioneering ventures to a global audience.
Ashford Castle and The Spa at Ashford retain top rating in gold standard Forbes Awards
Winning a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating is a milestone moment for any hotel, but retaining it can be the challenge, according to Niall Rochford, Managing Director at Ashford Castle.
The annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards (FTG) rates the world’s most luxurious properties and is the world’s only independent rating system. Ashford Castle was Ireland’s first hotel to achieve a Five-Star ranking in the annual honours list (2020), the top rating possible and the ultimate gold standard in hospitality. The Spa at Ashford Castle was also the first and remains the only hotel spa in Ireland to receive a Five-Star ranking, so there was a double celebration at the hotel when it was announced that The Spa had retained the highest ranking possible from FTG’s 2024 awards.
The Michelin Guide UK & Ireland Awards
- Two Michelin Stars awarded to Terre at Castlemartyr Resort in Cork
The talented team at Terre is celebrating the awarding of two Michelin stars – an exceptional achievement for the restaurant which first opened at Castlemartyr Resort in October 2022. On winning the second Michelin star, Chef Patron Vincent Crepel said:
“Being awarded the second Michelin star is the realisation of a lifelong dream and a wonderful elevation to receive from the inspectors. I am so proud of the team and what we have achieved. Receiving the second star is a tribute to the creativity and standards we aim to reach and maintain.” The past 12 months have been extremely exciting for all the team at Terre, starting with receiving a Michelin star after just 6 months, garnering superb reviews along with a number of awards including chef de partie Shauna Murphy, winning the Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2023.
- The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel in Co. Tipperary receives Michelin Star less than two years after opening
Opened in 2022, the fine-dining restaurant offers contemporary Irish cuisine with much of the produce sourced from farmers, growers, and artisanal food producers in Tipperary. Director of Culinary at Cashel Palace Hotel, Stephen Hayes congratulated his team and Head Chef of The Bishop’s Buttery, Stefan McEnteer, saying:
“Gaining a Michelin Star so soon after opening is a fantastic achievement. It has always been my hope to receive the Star and now, along with Stefan and the team, we have achieved it. I honestly couldn’t be any happier. This is an important recognition of our hard work and is wonderful for team morale, reflecting our ambitions front and back of house.”
- The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Estate retains its Michelin Star for the 11th year
Chef John Kelly and his team at Lady Helen in Mount Juliet Estate are celebrating the retention of its Michelin star award for an incredible 11th year.
Speaking about the award, he said, “This is a wonderful accolade and I’m very proud of our work here at The Lady Helen. The team and I are lucky to have the freedom to create and develop, and we have shaped what we hope is a special dining experience that is in keeping with the distinctive Mount Juliet ethos.”
Guaranteed Irish business finalists announced for Guaranteed Irish 50th anniversary
The Guaranteed Irish Business Awards will recognise and reward the success and resilience of both homegrown and multinational businesses across various sector categories.
Achievement Awards including Guaranteed Irish One to Watch, Guaranteed Irish Person of the Year, Guaranteed Irish Brand Activation Champion, Guaranteed Irish Sustainability Champion, and Guaranteed Irish Advocate within a Business will also be presented at the event.
MC’d by business broadcaster and comedian, Oliver Callan, the third annual Guaranteed Irish Business Awards is combined with a gala ball to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Guaranteed Irish. There will be a full programme of surprises at the Gala Ball for those lucky enough to secure a ticket. The Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 21 March at The RDS and will celebrate Ireland’s leading businesses that support jobs, are committed to local communities, and contribute to Ireland, its people, and its economy. Click here for more information.
