CAFE OF THE YEAR: Hungry Monk Café, Cong, Co Galway
Aisling Butler and Jonathan Byrne run the sweetest café in Mayo’s sweetest little village. The baking in Hungry Monk Café is delicious; the savoury cooking is delicious; the drinks are excellent; and everything they do is unified by an exuberant passion for great food that raises every bite to its zenith. Pure darling. hungrymonkcong.com
PUB OF THE YEAR: Pot Duggan’s, Ennistymon, Co Clare
Step in the door of Pot Duggan’s, in little Ennistymon, and it’s ‘Hello 1964!’. Dublin’s Bodytonic crew went west, and carved out a classic Irish country pub, but one with a vital difference: virtually every drink they sell is an Irish-made drink. Expect to see photos of Pot Duggan’s in every single travel article about Ireland for the next several years. potduggans.com
DESTINATION OF THE YEAR: Moy House, Lahinch, Co Clare
Working in lock-step with his gardener, Sarah Noonan, chef Matt Strefford of Moy House is cooking some of the most artful, most perfect food you can eat in Ireland. He rears his own animals and, with gorgeous things from the garden and polytunnel, Mr Strefford cooks for the Gods. Moy House, of course, is a sublime place to stay. Just make sure to book early. moyhouse.com
