Malzards Pub, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny is celebrating after being named National Pub of the Year at the Irish Pub Awards 2024. The Kilkenny pub was crowned national champion from a field of 70 regional winners at a Gala Awards Ceremony in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin.
The Irish Pub Awards are jointly presented by Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and The Licenced Vintners Association (LVA). With over 1,000 entries from all over Ireland this awards programme continues to be recognised by publicans around Ireland as a valuable way to promote their business.
Malzards is a fifth-generation, family-run business situated in a charming rural village just 15 kilometres outside Kilkenny City. This traditional pub has become a model of the “Pub as a Community Hub” by reimagining its role and expanding its offerings to serve both local customers and visiting tourists. Through innovative offerings, Malzards has created experiences that have gained recognition in both international and domestic markets, establishing it as the top destination pub in rural Kilkenny. Their unique product range includes “The Hurling Experience,” “Gigs in the Garden,” glamping pods, motorhome accommodations, and a newly added Airbnb unit this year.
The Irish Pub Awards ten category winners are:
Best Food Pub sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace: The Bailey Bar & Eatery, Enniscorthy, Wexford
Willie Aherne, Chair, LVA, Jacqueline Redmond, Gary Byrne, Area Sales Manager, Musgrave Marketplace, Edward Hogan and Peter Olah, The Bailey Bar & Eatery, Enniscorthy, John
Clendennen, President, VFI. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.
Best Tourist Pub sponsored by Fáilte Ireland: Lowry’s Music & Whiskey Bar, Clifden, Galway
Innovative Pub of the Year sponsored by BOI Payment Acceptance: Mother Macs Public House, Limerick City
Payment Acceptance, James McMahon, Kora King and Michael McMahon, Mother Macs Public House, Limerick City, John Clendennen, President, VFI.
Best Local Pub sponsored by Diageo Ireland: The Liberty Belle, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Accounts, Diageo Ireland, George Tully, Eimear Salmon and Tom Young, The Liberty Belle, The Liberties, Dublin, John Clendennen, President, VFI
Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Edward Dillon: Murph’s, Monkstown, Cork
Ireland, Eugene Sheehan, Ceara Kenneally and Jonathan O’Flynn, Murph’s, Cork, John
Clendennen, President, VFI
Best Music Pub sponsored by IMRO: Gracie’s Bar Sligo, Sligo Town
Ronan McGill, Áine Gormley and Jack Gibbons, Gracie’s Bar Sligo, John Clendennen,
President, VFI
Best Outdoor Space sponsored by Bulmers: Swans Bar | Paud O’Donoghues Forge, Curragha, Meath
Manager, Bulmers, Patrick Swan and Mark Fallon, Swans Bar/Paud O’Donoghues Forge,
Curragha, Meath, John Clendennen, VFI President
Best Digital Innovator sponsored by Heineken:The Shelbourne Bar, Cork City
Best Late-Night Bar sponsored by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard: Wrights Café Bar, Swords, Co. Dublin
Wright, Mikey Wright, Sarah Connolly, Kelly Mooney and Patrick Nevickas, Wrights Café Bar, Swords, Dublin, John Clendennen, President, VFI
Best Match Day Pub, sponsored by Molson Coors: Fagan’s, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Speaking at the Irish Pub Awards, VFI President John Clendennen praised the remarkable quality of pubs in this year’s awards: “With each passing year, the Irish Pub Awards continue to raise the bar and the 2024 entries have truly set a new standard for excellence in Irish pubs. Winning a category award tonight is a significant accomplishment, given the exceptional quality and innovation displayed by all entrants. Irish pubs are celebrated globally, so it’s fitting that we have an awards programme of this calibre to highlight their unique charm and creativity. I hope the achievements showcased here will inspire other publicans to consider entering the Irish Pub Awards next year.”
LVA Chair, Willie Aherne said, “The Irish Pub Awards have solidified their place as the leading awards program in the pub industry, with participation continuing to rise each year. The programme has earned recognition not only for its extensive national and local media coverage but also for the comprehensive management training provided to all finalists, which has proven invaluable for their businesses. We are thrilled with the growth and success of the awards, and it has become a fantastic platform to showcase the crucial role pubs play in Irish business, community life, and tourism.”
Partners to The Irish Pub Awards are Media partner, Irish Independent and Trade Media Partner, Drinks Industry Ireland.
