Neven Maguire recognised and five Cavan winners at Irish Restaurant Awards

Cavan leaves its mark across the national awards categories

Once again, Cavan food businesses have cleaned up at the Irish Restaurant Awards.

Five local eateries and the talented people behind them have taken home the top prize in Ulster in their specific category.

And Blacklion chef Neven Maguire, who has been successful at the Irish Restaurant Awards many times in the competition’s 16 year history, has been specially recognised with an Outstanding Achievement Award for the contribution he has made to Irish food and hospitality.

Cavan beat off competition to be the best in Ulster in six categories.

The Best Restaurant in Ulster title was taken by Neven Maguire’s MacNean House & Restaurant while Laura Connolly of Cavan Town’s The Oak Room took home the title of Best Restaurant Manager in Ulster.

There were also awards for the Chilli Lounge, Murph’s at the Derragara Inn and its neighbours, The Olde Post Inn.

You can see the full list of local winners in the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025 below.

Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received a record breaking 165,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and venues across the country - the highest in the Awards’ history.

The top honours on the night went to Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore, who were named Best Restaurant, while John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate was awarded Best Chef in Ireland.

Cavan winners:

Best Restaurant in Ulster, MacNean House & Restaurant

Best Restaurant Manager, Ulster Laura Connolly of The Oak Room Restaurant

Best Gastro Pub in Ulster – Murph’s Gastro Pub at the Derragarra Inn, Butlersbridge

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine, Ulster – The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill

Best World Cuisine – Chilli Lounge, Cavan Town

Outstanding Achievement Award All Ireland: Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant