Over 400 people celebrated the 2019 Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards on Monday May 27 at a lavish gala event in Tullamore’s Bridge House Hotel.
Now in its second year, the event attracted over 8,000 votes in 56 hotly contested categories.
The expert judging panel, featuring Sammy Leslie from Castle Leslie, Sallyanne Clarke from L’Ecrivain Restaurant and Eamonn Gillespie from Harvey’s Point, independently assessed a shortlist of nominees and agonised over each winner.
Thirteen Laois businesses and business people received awards on the night across different categories such as Tourism/Leisure, Hotels, Pubs/Bars and Restaurants.
The five-star Heritage Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Killenard emerged as Overall Hotel of the Year.
The Pantry Portlaoise scooped two accolades for best café and best restaurant manager.
Musical entertainment was provided by Dave Lalor and The Sheerin Family Band, with a selection of Midlands 103 personalities sharing MC duties.
You can see each of the Laois winners below. All photos are supplied by Midlands 103.
Laois Winners
Overall Hotel of the Year – The Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois
Best Value Hotel – Maldron Hotel, Abbeyleix Rd, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Best Hotel Manager – Darragh Cruise, The Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
(Hotel) Receptionist of the Year- Theresa Fennelly, Maldron Hotel, Abbeyleix Rd, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Best Business Hotel – Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Rising Star (Hotel): Michael Murphy (General Manager) Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise
Best Café – The Pantry, Main Street, Portlaoise. Co. Laois
Best Restaurant Manager – Rachel Doyle, The Pantry, Portlaoise
Best Dining Experience – Tynans Store Yard, Kew Lew Business Park, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Best Hotel Restaurant – Kelly’s Steakhouse, Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Special Merit (Restaurant): Yvonne Dunne, The Willow Tree, Rathdowney Golf Club
Special Merit Award (Bar): Mary Bland, The Bog Road, Portlaoise
Best Caravan/Camping/Glamping Experience Glamping Under the Stars, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
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