Ómós in Abbeyleix , Co Laois , has been named fine dining restaurant of the year in the Georgina Campbell 2026 Irish Food and Hospitality Awards , just months after it opened in July. Cúán Greene’s project, “a dreamy set-up” according to Campbell, won praise for its “deeply nostalgic” menu and “exceptionally skilful dishes”, as well as its “visual theatre and intriguing conversation pieces”. She said the restaurant, which sits behind a meticulously renovated Victorian guesthouse, offers “a unique experience”.
Irish Times restaurant critic Corinna Hardgrave agreed in her review this month , finding “a chef’s imprint with original dishes you won’t find anywhere else”.
Speaking at the awards in Dublin’s InterContinental Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, food and hospitality writer Campbell warned of a loss of “good hospitality” in Ireland as businesses increasingly lean on technology.
“In many places we visited we could see how warm human interaction is being replaced by cold digital transactions. The very qualities that once defined good hospitality such as knowing a guest’s name, offering a cup of tea, or simply taking the time to have a good conversation are becoming less common,” said Campbell. Her latest awards celebrate the human touch, she added.
“Guests need to know that they matter enough for an establishment, regardless of size, to make the effort,” Campbell said.
She also highlighted the strength of Ireland’s mid-market food offering, which she described as “grown-up” everyday food. Businesses from independent bakery-cafes to pubs, neighbourhood restaurants and more ambitious hotel restaurants are becoming “hospitality jewels”, according to Campbell.
The awards named Wade Murphy of 1826 Adare in Co Limerick as chef of the year, with Campbell citing his “dining without a fuss” approach, which saw him move away from an earlier career in formal fine dining. She also noted a generosity in Murphy’s cooking, where refinement never comes at the expense of pleasure.
The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace in Co Tipperary took the award for fine dining hotel restaurant of the year, while Campbell’s best neighbourhood fine dining restaurant was Mamó in Howth, Dublin 13. Our critic, Hardgrave was also impressed when she visited recently , suggesting a Michelin star would be justified.
Everett’s in Waterford was named bijou fine dining restaurant of the year, while the innovation award went to chef and Irish Times columnist Mark Moriarty.
Campbell’s five-star hotel of the year was Lough Eske Castle in Co Donegal, while Killarney Royal Townhouse was recognised as best four-star property.
The Georgina Campbell awards, now in their fourth decade, select winners through year-round assessments and involve experts booking anonymously and paying their own bills.