Our hospitality sector, tourist attractions and facilities did us proud last year with a string of awards, setting the bar very high for 2018!
4 Vicar’s was nominated Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year 2017 by Georgina Campbell Guide
Blackwell House was runner-up, receiving a Highly Commended Award for Best Serviced Accommodation 2017 at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.
Newforge House was included in the McCool Travel Ireland Luxury Lodging: Where to Stay in Ireland.
At the Ulster section of the Irish Restaurant Awards winners included
• 4 Vicars – Best Restaurant & Best Chef
• Uluru Restaurant – Best Wine Experience.
• The Moody Boar – Best Casual Dining
• Newforge House – Best Hotel Restaurant
• Digby’s Bar & Restaurant – Best Customer Service
• Mulberry Bistro – Best Newcomer
• Courthouse Bar, Lurgan – Pub of the Year
Tannaghmore Gardens and Animal Farm was awarded the RBST ‘Approved Farm Park Status’ by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) – now the only farm in the whole of Ireland. This award has recognised the popular attraction for their commitment to the conservation, breeding and promotion of rare and endangered breeds of farm animals, which includes Irish Moiled, Dexter, and Shetland cattle, Pygmy goats, Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, Galway and Jacob sheep, horses and donkeys and a wide variety of heritage poultry and waterfowl.
Armagh County Museum and the FE Mc William Gallery and Studio, Banbridge were both recognised at the prestigious Museum Accreditation Awards having achieved and maintained their Full Accreditation status for 2017. It recognises the highest standards in collecting, caring for and interpreting the area’s inalienable heritage assets.
The Education Department of the Navan Centre & Fort travelled to Bath to collect the acclaimed Sandford Award for Heritage Education for the third time.
Tourism Northern Ireland awarded a 4-star visitor attraction rating to the FE McWilliam Gallery, Armagh Robinson Library, Brownlow House, No 5 Vicars’ Hill, St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Tayto Castle Factory and Sloan’s House, Loughgall. Mount Ida Pottery achieved the top five-star rating from Tourism Northern Ireland.
And The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre retained the Government Customer Service Excellence Award for its customer care strategy, policies, procedures and delivery.