Midlands 103 Reveals Winners Of The 2026 Hospitality Awards

The awards brought together representatives from across the industry to recognise excellence in the hospitality sector throughout the Midlands.

The very best of the hospitality, tourism and entertainment industries across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath have been recognised at the Midlands 103 2026 Hospitality Awards, celebrating the people, businesses and organisations making an outstanding contribution to the region.

The awards brought together representatives from across the industry to recognise excellence in hotels, bars, restaurants, tourism, entertainment and customer service, highlighting the quality and diversity of the hospitality sector throughout the Midlands.

From family-run restaurants and traditional pubs to award-winning hotels, visitor attractions and major tourism events, this year's winners reflect the strength of an industry that plays a vital role in local communities and the regional economy.

Among the major winners, The Heritage in Killenard took home Overall Hotel of the Year, while O'Gorman's Kilminchy in Portlaoise was named Overall Bar of the Year. Old Warehouse in Tullamore was crowned Overall Restaurant of the Year and Belvedere House, Gardens & Park in Mullingar received Overall Tourism Experience of the Year.

There was also recognition for a number of familiar names across the region, with the Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar enjoying success in several categories, including Best Customer Service Hotel of the Year and Hotel Manager of the Year for Martina Madden.

Other notable winners included JJ Houghs Singing Pub in Banagher, named Music Venue of the Year and Tourist Bar of the Year, Electric Picnic in Stradbally, which took Festival / Event of the Year and Glasson Lakehouse, named Golf Club of the Year.

The awards also recognised the individuals whose dedication and hard work help make the Midlands a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Among them were Aimee Clarke of the Greville Arms Hotel, named Industry Personality of the Year, and Paul Crosby of Castle Varagh Hotel and The Stables Tea Rooms, who was named Chef of the Year.

Midlands 103 Managing Director Will Faulkner, said: "The hospitality industry is such an important part of life across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. It supports local jobs, brings visitors into our towns and villages and creates places where people can meet, celebrate and enjoy themselves.

"The Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards are an opportunity to recognise the businesses and individuals who work so hard throughout the year to deliver great experiences for their customers. The standard of entries this year was excellent and we want to congratulate every winner and finalist."

TV stylist Marietta Doran, Offaly’s Yvonne Carty, from Hey Pesto and Eoghan Corry of Travel Extra.ie were this year’s judges.

The Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards were made possible with the support of the event sponsors and category sponsors, whose backing helped recognise and celebrate the achievements of the region's hospitality and tourism industry.

Congratulations to all of the 2026 Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards winners.

Bar Sector - sponsored by The Killeshin Hotel & Leisure Club

Bar Food of the Year

The Auld Shebeen, Moate

Bar Manager of the Year

Robbie Devlin, Lukers Bar Shannonbridge

Beer Garden of the Year

Browne's The Venue, Tullamore

Drinks Producer of the Year

Tullamore D.E.W., Tullamore

Music Venue of the Year

JJ Houghs Singing Pub Banagher

Overall Bar of the Year - sponsored by Tullamore D.E.W.

O'Gorman's Kilminchy, Portlaoise

Sports Bar of the Year

The Dark Horse Bar & Kitchen, Athlone-

Tourist Bar of the Year

JJ Killeen's, Shannonbridge

Traditional Bar of the Year

Gonoud's Bar & Lounge, Tyrellspass

Customer Choice Sector - sponsored by O'Gorman's Bar & Restaurant

Industry Newcomer of the Year - sponsored by WFD (What's for Dinner)

Stradbally Glamping by Pitched Perfect

Industry Personality of the Year - Sponsored by Annebrook House Hotel

Aimee Clarke, Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar

Special Contribution to the Industry - sponsored by CL Plant & Tool Hire

Abbey Blooms Botanical Gardens & Café, Multyfarnham

Hotel Sector - sponsored by Gerteen Bar & Bistro (Gertie Browne's)

Best Customer Service Hotel of the Year

Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar- Winner

Business Hotel of the Year - sponsored by Keenan Bauer Motors

Tullamore Court Hotel

Destination Hotel of the Year

Kinnitty Castle Hotel

Family Hotel of the Year- sponsored by Mollie Moos

Talbot Hotel Carlow, Carlow- Winner

Hotel Bar of the Year

The Cedar Bar, The Killeshin Hotel & Leisure Club, Portlaoise- Winner

Hotel Manager of the Year

Martina Madden, Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar- Winner

Hotel Restaurant of the Year

Bonnie's, Glasson Lakehouse

Leisure Centre of the Year

Leisure Club & Spa, Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore

Overall Hotel of the Year - sponsored by Playtown

The Heritage, Killenard

Receptionist of the Year

Shannon Cleere, County Arms Birr- Winner

Spa & Wellness of the Year

Bloomfield Spa, Mullingar

Wedding Coordinator of the Year

Emma Fagan, Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone

Wedding Venue of the Year

The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass

Restaurant sector

Best Family Dining - Brophil Family Butchers

Scanlon's Bar & Restaurant, Kinnegad

Best New Establishment - Sponsored by Shishir

The Old Canal Bar & Kitchen, Mountmellick

Café/Coffee Shop of the Year

Ballycommon Bakehouse, Ballycommon

Chef of the Year

Paul Crosby, Castle Varagh Hotel / The Stables Tea Rooms, Castlepollard - Winner

Dining Experience of the Year

Bramley, Abbeyleix

Ethnic Restaurant of the Year

Kin Khao Thai Restaurant, Athlone

Overall Restaurant of the Year - sponsored by Lambe Oil

Old Warehouse, Tullamore

Restaurant Manager of the Year

Peter Scully, Gertie Browne's Bar & Bistro, Athlone

Tourism & Entertainment Sector - sponsored by Castle Varagh Hotel

Children's Activity of the Year - sponsored by Scanlon's Restaurant & Bar, Kinnegad

Mollie Moo's Pet Farm, Mullingar

Entertainment Activity of the Year - sponsored by Tullamore Credit Union

Playtown Tullamore

Festival / Event of the Year - sponsored by Maldron Hotel Portlaoise

Electric Picnic, Stradbally

Glamping Experience of the Year

Glamping Under the Stars, Portlaosie

Golf Club of the Year - Sponsored by The Greville Arms Hotel

Glasson Lakehouse

Overall Tourism Experience of the Year - sponsored by The County Arms

Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Mullingar