Mayo business triumphs at Good Food Ireland Awards

ASHFORD Castle has been acknowledged as a winner at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 in association with FBD Insurance - the only cross-sector awards that champion those who uphold Ireland’s culinary excellence, celebrate local provenance and honour sustainable practices.

Announced at the awards ceremony at The K Club, Ashford Castle took centre stage, winning 5 Star Hotel of the Year, one of the top accolades of the night.

Ahead of its 20th year in 2026, this year’s Good Food Ireland Awards received hundreds of entries from businesses across the country, with thousands of votes cast for the Food Lovers' Choice Awards.

Winners were selected by an independent panel of Irish and international experts following mystery inspections and detailed assessments, with strict judging criteria including commitment to local sourcing, Irish provenance, and sustainability.

Minister Noel Grealish was the guest of honour at the event, acknowledging everyone’s contribution to Irish food, drink and hospitality.

He said: “I was delighted to attend the Good Food Ireland Awards, which brings together two of Ireland’s most successful indigenous sectors - food and tourism. At their heart, the Good Food Ireland Awards honour excellence, and reflect the values and vision embedded in Food Vision 2030, our national strategy for sustainable agri-food development, that have made Irish food a global benchmark for quality and sustainability.”

Reflecting on the event and congratulating the winners, Margaret Jeffares, founder of Good Food Ireland, added: “Good Food Ireland was born from a desire to celebrate Ireland’s world-class food and drink. Our awards shine a spotlight on the businesses that play a vital role in our entire food ecosystem, from farm to fork.”