Ireland’s gold-standard food and hospitality champions were celebrated last week as the winners of the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2026 were announced at a gala lunch at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel.
Now in their fourth decade, these are the longest-running awards of their kind in Ireland. Established by food & hospitality writer Georgina Campbell, they recognise excellence across the country, with winners selected through independent, year-round assessments by a team of experts who book anonymously and pay their bills like any other guest. Businesses cannot enter themselves, ensuring the awards remain focused on genuine quality and hospitality.
WINNERS IN MUNSTER
There were several awards for counties in the province across different categories – some of the results include the following:
Paul & Marie Flynn, The Tannery, Dungarvan, Co Waterford took the Georgina Campbell ‘Hospitality Hero’ Award 2026.
The Rural Destination of the Year went the way of Gougane Barra Hotel, Ballingeary, Macroom, Co Cork.
While under fine dining awards, the Georgina Campbell Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year went to The Bishop’s Buttery, Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Co Tipperary. Everett’s, Waterford, were recipients of the Bijou Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. The Chef of the Year award went the way of Wade Murphy, 1826 Adare, Co Limerick.
The 5-Star Hotel of the Year 2026 went the way of Lough Eske Castle, Donegal, Co Donegal. Georgina Campbell 4-Star Hotel of the Year 2026 was awarded to the Killarney Royal Townhouse, Killarney, Co Kerry, with Casey’s Hotel, Glengarriff, Co Cork taking the 3-star award. Boutique Hotel of the Year 2026 was awarded to The Hat Maker, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
In the ‘Small Stay’ category, the Country House 2026 award went to Ballymaloe House Hotel, Shanagarry, Co Cork.
Under the ‘Casual dining’ category, The Strand Inn, Dunmore East, Co Waterford won the Georgina Campbell Restaurant-Bar 2026.
In the ‘Memorable Moments’ category, the Wine Experience Award for 2026 went the way of Prim’s Bookshop & Wine Bar, Kinsale, Co Cork.
In the ‘Speciality Hospitality & Sustainability Awards’ category, The Tan Yard, Killarney, Co Kerry was awarded the Georgina Campbell Sustainability Award 2026.
REGIONAL DESTINATION TO WATERFORD
Regional Destination of the Year went the way of Waterford City & County, recognising the city and county’s outstanding food, drink, hospitality and tourism offering and the growing collaboration behind its promotion as a visitor destination. While Food Village of the Year for 2026 was awarded to Baltimore, Co Cork.
Aileen and Patrick Hanley, The Lansdowne Kenmare, Kenmare, Co Kerry were awarded the Georgina Campbell Georgina Campbell Hosts of the Year 2026. With the Long Haul Hero award going to Ruth Healy, URRU Culinary Store, Bandon, Co Cork.
In the ‘Nature and Food Producers’ awards, the Preserves & Honey award went to the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.
INSPIRATION
The prestigious awards ceremony also featured an engaging panel discussion with special guest Francis Brennan, exploring life after The Park. One of Ireland’s best-known hoteliers, Brennan echoed Campbell’s comments. “Exceptional customer service and generosity are not, and should not be, a nice-to-have; they are a necessity, building loyalty, creating unforgettable experiences, and serving as powerful differentiators in today’s competitive landscape,” he said.
