Mayo winners in 2023 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards

Claire’s Kitchen, based outside Ballina in north Mayo, was named Ireland’s Best Event Caterer at the 2023 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards, which took place this week in the Galmont Hotel, Galway.

The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Cong, was also a winner, taking gold in the Ireland's Wine Experience category ahead of Red Carnation hotel group stablemate Ashford Castle. It was a Connaught one-two-three in this category as The Twelve Hotel, Galway, took the bronze medal.

Ashford Castle also won gold in the category of Ireland's Five Star Hotel Spa Experience and silver in the category Ireland's Five Star Resort, while in the Ireland’s Country House & Guest House Experience category, Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina, won bronze.

Finally, also in the greater Ballina area, the Ocean Sands Hotel, Enniscrone, won bronze in the Irish Tourist Hotel of the Year category.

Now in their 34th year, the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry.

Judged by industry experts, the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards recognise and reward excellence in hospitality and catering operations across the island of Ireland.

This year's winners were announced on Tuesday last at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway.

After careful consideration, the judging panel chose the candidates they believed to be worthy of receiving a gold medal award and only the best in the industry were crowned winners.