This event celebrates the outstanding achievements of the hotel and catering sector across the country. This is a really great event which is organised every year, and this being the 30th year, it was extra special for hoteliers and restaurateurs from all over the country.

Judges for the Gold Medal Awards received over 450 entries in total from hotels, country houses, cafes, bars, restaurants and catering companies across the country.

An important factor of the Gold Medal Awards is the credibility, and impartial nature, of the judging process. Every property that undergoes this process is subject to bench marking against a strict set of criteria, and a blind site inspection conducted by the judging panel. This panel comprises of respected industry experts from across the hospitality, culinary and catering sectors.

We were more than delighted when we received the email informing us that Castlewood was nominated as a finalist in “Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast” and “Ireland’s Country House and Guest House Experience”.

To our incredible surprise, during the evening we were chosen as winners of “Ireland’s Gold Medal Judges Choice Award”. This award recognises an outstanding property, as selected by the expert judging panel. We were extremely honoured and very humbled to receive this award and it is always a bonus to receive recognition from your own industry.

We had a wonderful evening, it’s such a nice treat for us to get all dressed up, and to meet with all our industry peers. We also met up with lots of people that we had worked with years ago, Restaurant Manager, Robert Bowe from Ashford Castle being one of these.

A wonderful night which we will remember for a long time. Thank you.