Success for Murph’s Derragarra in leading hospitality awards

Murph’s Gastro Pub at the Derragarra Inn has been announced as the 2026 Gasto-Pub of the year at the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2026, which took place recently at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel, celebrating Ireland’s gold-standard food and hospitality champions.

Now in their fourth decade, these are the longest-running awards of their kind in Ireland. Established by food & hospitality writer Georgina Campbell, they recognise excellence across the country, with winners selected through independent, year-round assessments by a team of experts who book anonymously and pay their bills like any other guest. Businesses cannot enter themselves, ensuring the awards remain focused on genuine quality and hospitality.

Scenically situated on the Annalee River and conveniently located for a journey break just north of Cavan town, Derragarra Inn has long been a popular destination known for its rustic charm.

But under chef Fergus Murphy and his wife Susan - who first established Murph’s Bistro in nearby Cootehill before moving the business to the much loved inn in Butlersbridge, it is a proper country pub offering a genuine welcome, atmosphere and good food.

A devastating fire soon after their arrival might have ended the story. Instead, they rebuilt with remarkable speed and sensitivity, preserving the spirit of the old place while creating a warm contemporary restaurant with a characterful bar and an inviting riverside terrace, and, most recently, they have added a smart new cocktail bar.

Fergus is a committed supporter of local and Irish produce and he knows his market, so the menus offer plenty of generous crowd pleasing favourites - steaks, Silver Hill duck and gastropub classics, and prices are very fair.

Children and vegetarians are thoughtfully catered for, and local drinks have their place at the bar but most importantly, it is a customer-first place, where staff go the extra mile to ensure that everyone is happy.

Convivial, generous and rooted in its community, Murph’s is just what’s needed for travellers passing through the county, and is also a great destination for diners from a wide area, who will always beat a path here for both casual meals and special events.

Under pressure

Speaking at the awards, Georgina Campbell warned that the personal connection traditionally associated with Irish hospitality is under pressure as businesses increasingly turn to technology, automation and digital transactions.

“In many places we visited we could see how warm human interaction is being replaced by cold digital transactions,” Georgina said.

“The very qualities that once defined good hospitality such as knowing a guest’s name, offering a cup of tea, or simply taking the time to have a conversation are becoming less common.”

Campbell recognised the enormous benefits that technology has brought to the industry, making businesses more efficient and helping staff manage information and operations, but stressed that there is a fundamental difference between efficiency and hospitality.

“Technology can make a business more efficient, but can it make a guest feel at home? Can an automated check-in desk make someone feel genuinely welcome? The answer, surely, is no,” said Georgina, who added that the 2026 awards celebrate something that cannot be automated - the human touch.

“The timeless art of hospitality has never been more valuable, or more urgently needed. Exceptional hospitality is about creating a connection and an experience that guests will remember and, importantly, tell others about.”

She said the businesses recognised in this year’s awards demonstrate the value of putting people first, with owners and managers who remain visible and engaged, and long-serving staff who remember names, preferences and the small details that make a stay or meal personal.

Inspiration

The prestigious awards ceremony also featured an engaging panel discussion with special guest Francis Brennan, exploring life after The Park. One of Ireland’s best-known hoteliers, Brennan echoed Campbell’s comments.

“Exceptional customer service and generosity are not, and should not be a nice-to-have; they are a necessity, building loyalty, creating unforgettable experiences, and serving as powerful differentiators in today’s competitive landscape,” he said.

“When I read about Automatic Check In desks and AI bots my blood runs cold. I fear that the art of hospitality and creating genuine connections is fading. However, we are lucky to have so many wonderful, independently owned guest houses and small hotels that continue the tradition of being a true host and engaging with guests.”

“These awards matter because they shine a light on the people and places setting the standard for excellence in hospitality. But they also inspire others to raise their own standards and remind us all of what great hospitality is really about.”

The awards were supported by Bord Bia, The Shed Distillery and The Irish Wine Makers Association. More details at www.ireland-guide.ie.