Some of Cork’s finest pubs are celebrating after coming out on top at the Irish Pub Awards 2017 regional final, which took place in The East Village Bar, Restaurant and Hotel, Douglas, Co Cork last night (Monday 18^th September 2017).

They will now go forward to the National Awards Ceremony on 8^th November.

The winners in the Cork Region are:

Innovative Pub of the Year sponsored by Bank of Ireland Payment Acceptance:  JJ Coppinger’s Bar from Midleton, Co Cork

Best Music Pub sponsored by IMRO: Rearden’s, Washington Street, Cork

Best Tourist Pub sponsored by Molson Coors: Shelbourne Bar, McCurtain Street, Cork

Best Outdoor Space sponsored by Bulmers:  Farrell’s Bar, Summerfield, Youghal, Co Cork

Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Heineken: The Thomond Bar, Marlborough St., Cork

Best Local Pub sponsored by Diageo: Geary’s Bar, Main Street, Charleville, Co Cork

Best Food Pub sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace: The Bodega, Cornmarket Street, Cork

Pub Personality of the Year sponsored by Irish Distillers, Pernod Ricard: Brian Barrett, Geary’s Bar, Charleville, Co Cork.

The Irish Pub Awards are jointly presented by Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners Association (LVA).  A series of seven regional events will take place around the country between 18^th September and 4^th October to announce 56 finalists through all categories.

The objective of the Awards programme is to recognise and reward excellence and innovation across various categories in the Irish Pub Industry.  Entries closed on 30^th June and judging took place during July and August.  The awards were presented by President of VFI, Pat Crotty and the category sponsors

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, President of VFI, Pat Crotty expressed his delight in how well the Awards are going.  “Entries for the inaugural event surpassed expectations all around Ireland and the judges had a difficult decision to make to reach this final list”.

“The pub is a central part of our hospitality and tourism sectors as well as being a meeting place for locals.  It is a major contributor to growth in our regional economies, so these awards will be an important vehicle to showcase the diversity that is available in the modern Irish pub and recognise the creativity and innovation that is already there”, he added.

The National Irish Pub Awards are open to all members of VFI and LVA.  The 56 regional winners will be showcased as best in class in their area and will win a prize package of management training to help them progress their business further.  They will also avail of comprehensive media coverage including a profile in the special awards supplement which will be published in the Irish Independent on the day of the Gala Awards Ceremony to take place in RDS Concert Hall, Dublin 4 on Wednesday 8^th November next.