Restaurant key ingredient for Gregans

GREGANS CASTLE Hotel in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare has been named AA Ireland Hotel of the Year for 2011 and 2012.

It is the third major award won by the hotel this year. Its restaurant, which is headed up by acclaimed Finnish chef Mickael Viljanen, won the Food and Winemagazine Restaurant of the Year and the Restaurants Association of Ireland Best Hotel Restaurant earlier this year.

The restaurant’s fare was one of the reasons why the judges chose to give the hotel the top prize.

The judges commended the restaurant’s use of fresh, local produce – a quality also recognised when Viljanen helped secure the restaurant of the year award.

The hotel has been in the Haden family since 1967. It is the first ever AA three red star property in the history of the competition to be named AA Ireland Hotel of the Year.

The Ardilaun Hotel and Leisure Club in Galway city won the AA’s Courtesy and Care award which is awarded to those hotels which offer the best hospitality.

The judges noted that many of the staff at the Ardilaun have worked for the proprietor and manager, John Ryan, and his family for many years.

Another husband and wife team scooped the award in the AA’s BB, guesthouse and farmhouse category. Gorman’s Clifftop House and Restaurant on the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry is owned by Vincent and Síle Gorman.

The guesthouse overlooks the sea with views of Smerwick Harbour, the Black Rock, the Atlantic and the Three Sisters. It was built by the couple in 2000.

Margaret Gill of Bertra House BB in Murrisk, Co Mayo won the AA’s Bean an Tí of the Year award for 2011/2012.

The award celebrates exceptional commitment and hard work by an individual proprietor to first-rate hospitality.

Gill and her husband, John Joe, have been running the BB for the past 26 years. It is near the foot of Croagh Patrick with views of Clew Bay and Achill Island.