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borderroamerhttps://fisherbelfast.wordpress.comThe Northern Standard, Monaghan. Reporter.

THOSE APRIL FEVERS

16/04/2015 by borderroamer

Mary O’Donnell listens to Dr James Heaney Photo © Michael Fisher

Monaghan poet Mary O’Donnell’s new collection of poetry, ‘Those April Fevers’ (Arc Publications), was launched last week at the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin. Dr James Heaney, a lecturer in English at Carlow College, introduced the poems and Mary herself read some of them. Chair of the Centre’s Board Liz McManus welcomed guests to the event. Among the attendance were a number of supporters of the William Carleton Society Summer School (two of them patrons) and several poets.

TYDAVNET STUDENT’S ART AWARD

15/04/2015 by borderroamer

Frances Treanor, Tydavnet (middle), is congratulated by her parents Sean and Anne, her brother Ronan (left) and twin sister Maeve (right). Photo: facebook

Celebrations in Dublin this afternoon by my friends and neighbours, the Treanor family from Drumdart, Tydavnet in County Monaghan. I was working away in The Northern Standard finishing the Carrickmacross pages when news came through of the great achievement by 18 year-old Frances Treanor, a former student at the St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan. She has won top prize of €1500 in the 61st Texaco Children’s Art Competition, which I remember from my own schooldays.

Frances Treanor (Tydavnet) Self-Portrait in Ballpoint Pen: Overall Prizewinner in Texaco Children’s Art competition Photo: Texaco Art webpage

Her entry was a self-portrait drawn with a ballpoint pen. Congratulations also to Rachel McKenna also from St Louis Secondary School who won a special merit award in the 16-18 year-old category for her entry ‘The Script – Tired of Posing’ and wins €150 and an art box. Well done Sophia Goodman, Scoil Naoimh Éanna, Killanny, Carrickmacross, who came third in the age group 7-8 years old and to Kate Norton of the same age group and school who received a special merit award for ‘The Cute Kittens’.

It’s a double national success for Monaghan as Sarah Leddy from Inniskeen won first prize in the 11-13 category in the Irish League of Credit Unions art competition two months ago. Clearly there are some very talented artists in this county.

UTV Ireland carried the story as did The Irish Times, and this is their report:

A self-portrait drawn with a ballpoint pen has taken the top prize at this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Frances Treanor (18), from Tydavnet, County Monaghan, a first-year fine art student at the National College of Art and Design(NCAD), won the first prize of €1,500 in category A (16 to 18-year-olds) for her drawing, Self Portrait.

Judging panel chairman Professor Declan McGonagle,director of the NCAD, called it a very powerful work drawn with the skill and delicacy of a master. He said it was a fantastically realised self-portrait, with a very intense stare. “It is a delicate use of the medium. Nearly every single strand of hair is represented,” Professor McGonagle said.

It is the third time Ms Treanor has entered the competition. She won second place in her age category in 2012, and last year her entry was selected for the Texaco Art Competition calendar.

The 21 top prize winners across seven categories were announced at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. Another 105 artists won special merit awards. The winners, ranging in age from five to 18, were chosen from 30,000 entries.

The competition, now in its 61st year, is the longest sustained sponsorship of art in Ireland.

“Each of you have achieved a very high standard, and you should be very proud of yourselves. I’d like to recognise the support that you received from your families, from your teachers and from the wider school community. And I’d like to acknowledge their commitment and encouragement that has helped to keep our competition so vibrant since 1955,” said Valero Ireland director James Twohig. The company markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

This year, for the first time, one of the winning entries was made using digital technology. Oliwia Widuto (16), a student at Loretor College in Coleraine, County Derry, won the top category’s second prize of €1,000 for her work Gramps on Morphine.

“It doesn’t look like a digital work. It looks like a traditional work, but it’s done entirely through digital technology. It is a different kind of skill altogether, which is amazing as well,” Professor McGonagle said. The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin next month.

The 21 top prize-winning pieces will remain on display upstairs in the Hugh Lane Gallery until Sunday May 31st. In August, all 126 pieces will be on display in the Cork Vision Centre and in the Highlanes Art Gallery in Drogheda.

Results: Overall winner: Frances Treanor, St Louis Secondary School, Monaghan

Age 16-18 : 1st, Frances Treanor; 2nd, Oliwia Widuto, Loreto College Coleraine; 3rd, Janné Strydom, Gorey Community School

Age 14-15: 1st, Vitaly Dergachev, Wesley College, Ballinteer; 2nd, Lucy Deegan, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Carlow; 3rd, Cliona Fitzpatrick, Malahide Community School

Age 12-13: 1st, Nicole Forster, Wilson’s Hospital Secondary School, Multyfarnham; 2nd, Sadhbh Simpson, Loreto Dalkey Primary School; 3rd, Ethan Cheung, Bangor Grammar School

Age 9-11: 1st, Stephen Walsh, Ratoath Senior National School; 2nd, Orla Nolan, Newtown Dunleckney National School, Bagenalstown; 3rd, Charvi Goyal, Loreto Primary School, Rathfarnham, Dublin

Age 7-8 years: 1st, Laoise McDonald, The Paint Box, Barna, Co Galway; 2nd, Pippa McIntosh, Kinsale Art Academy; 3rd, Sophia Goodman, Scoil Naoimh Éanna, Carrickmacross

6 years and younger: 1st, Ciara Ward, St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan; 2nd, Sean O’Reilly, St Anthony’s Boys National School, Ballinlough, Co Cork; 3rd, Poppy Love, Hansfield Educate Together National School, Huntsfield, Dublin

Children with special needs: 1st, Conor Marley, St Gerard’s School and Support Services, Belfast; 2nd, Róisín Murray, St Michael’s School Holy Angels, Chapelizod; 3rd, Michael Ahern, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Ballincollig, Co Cork

KAVANAGH POETRY COMPETITION

14/04/2015 by borderroamer

Patrick Kavanagh Portrait: PK Centre, Inniskeen

PATRICK KAVANAGH CENTRE WORKSHOP WITH MARY O’DONNELL

Monaghan poet, Mary O’Donnell, who has just published a new collection of poetry, will direct the annual Poetry Writing Workshop weekend at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen on Saturday and Sunday 25^th – 26^th April. Mary’s seventh poetic work “Those April Fevers”, issued by Arc Publications UK, was launched in Dublin on Thursday night at the Irish Writers’ Centre.

The weekend course is for anyone who has had the urge to write poetry. It’s about exploring the ideas and impulses that make you want to write, and about putting some of your ideas into practice. It is hoped that by the end of the course all participants will leave the workshop feeling ready to write something new the following week, and to see it through various drafts until it is completed. The importance of drafting your work, and the importance of reading the work of contemporary poets will be discussed. In brief, the journey between language and feeling is what participants will share in common over the course of the weekend.

Mary O’Donnell at the launch of ‘Those April Fevers’ Photo © Michael Fisher

Mary O’Donnell was born in Monaghan and attended the St Louis Convent and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. She is also a novelist and her publication last year, “Where They Lie” (New Island Books), was described by Carlo Gébler as “marvelous and troubling”. This novel takes as its subject the trauma of a Protestant family in Belfast in the wake of the disappearance of their murdered loved ones. Other works by her include the best-selling novel “The Light-Makers”, “Virgin and the Boy”, “The Elysium Testament” and the short story collection “Storm Over Belfast”.

She has won several prestigious prizes, including the Fish International Short Story Award, and the Listowel Writers’ Week Jameson Short Story Award. She was also a prizewinner in the V.S.Pritchett Short Story Competition, and the Cardiff International Poetry Competition. Other awards include the James Joyce Ireland-Australia Award (2001), as well as residencies at the Princess Grace Irish Library, Monaco (2007) and at the Irish College in Paris (2012). She was co-winner of the Irodalmi Jelen Award for Poetry in Translation (Hungary) in 2012. She is an experienced teacher of creative writing who lectures on the MFA programme at Carlow University, Pittsburgh.

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is the venue for this weekend of creative activity. It is located in Inniskeen, which nestles among the Monaghan drumlins immortalised by Patrick Kavanagh, the village’s most illustrious son and one of Ireland’s best loved poets.

For information and booking: Phone +353 (0)42 9378560 or email: infoatpkc@eircom.net or check the website.

Patrick Kavanagh Centre Poetry Workshop Weekend

PYLONS CONTROVERSY

13/04/2015 by borderroamer

ANTI-PYLON GROUP STEPS UP CAMPAIGN AGAINST EIRGRID PLANS FOR ELECTRICITY INTERCONNECTOR
Michael Fisher

EirGrid substation at Ballykelly, Co. Louth near Inniskeen for North/South Interconnector Photo © Michael Fisher

A group representing landowners and householders opposed to EirGrid plans for an overhead North/South electricity connector that would be routed through south and mid Monaghan met last night to arrange a fresh campaign against the proposals. A public meeting has been organised by the County Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee to be held on Monday April 20^th at Aughnamullen Community Centre, Lough Egish. All of the county’s TDs and councillors are being invited to attend. Committee member Nigel Hillis told the Northern Standard their opposition to the plans was stronger than before.

Last week EirGrid’s Chief Executive Fintan Slye visited Carrickmacross as the company announced its new draft strategy for the future development of Ireland’s electricity transmission grid. It included updated plans for the North/South 400 kV Interconnection Development that would cross five counties from Meath to Tyrone.

EirGrid banner for North/South Interconnector Photo © Michael Fisher

EirGrid and its Northern counterpart SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) are jointly proposing a new high capacity electricity interconnector between the two networks. The draft strategy says there remains a clear need for the North/South Interconnector, and that the existing preference for a 400kV overhead line is still the most appropriate solution for the project.

The development would link a substation at Woodland, Batterstown in County Meath with a planned substation in Turleenan, in the Dungannon area of County Tyrone. EirGrid intends to submit a planning application for the North/South Interconnector in the coming weeks. Currently there is only a single interconnector, that runs past Ballykelly on the Carrickmacross to Dundalk road in County Louth (a few kilometers from Inniskeen) to Tandragee in County Armagh.

Shane Brennan of EirGrid (right) points out the route of the proposed interconnector Photo © Michael Fisher

At their public information office in Carrickmacross, SONI Eirgrid Project Manager Shane Brennan from Clontibret explained to me that the new interconnector would increase the capacity and reliability of interconnection between the two networks. It would allow the two independent networks to operate together as if they were one system, thus improving competition, and securing the electricity supply throughout the island of Ireland. EirGrid maintains that operating the two networks as if they were one system will bring cost savings for all electricity consumers as larger electricity systems can be operated more efficiently than smaller ones.

The increase in interconnection capacity will also facilitate the development of wind generation, which will help achieve Ireland’s renewable energy targets. Last November EirGrid submitted its draft application to An Bord Pleanála for review. The following month, An Bord informed EirGrid that it has reviewed the draft and that certain specified missing information was required to be submitted. Last month EirGrid sent in further information, as requested.

EirGrid pylon at Ballykelly, Co. Louth near Inniskeen Photo © Michael Fisher

Meanwhile EirGrid has re-published its proposed line route which will form the basis of an application for planning approval to be submitted to the planning authority in the coming months. This follows a review of the December 2013 line design. The review resulted in some of the proposed pylon locations being re-positioned along the proposed route, but the alignment itself was not changed.

Maps have now been made available showing the proposed route in County Monaghan. It takes in parts of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, Magheracloone, Corduff/Raferagh then on to a controversial section around Lough Egish. The route continues to Drumhowan, Doohamlet, Annyalla and Clontibret where it skirts the battlefield site and then joins the Northern grid in County Armagh.

EirGrid has opened three project information offices, including one at the Workhouse in Carrickmacross where those with an interest can call in and meet the project team. The Carrick office on the Shercock Road is open on Mondays and Thursdays 12 noon – 6pm.

EirGrid information office Carrickmacross Photo © Michael Fisher

According to Fintan Slye of EirGrid, there remains a clear strategic need for a second north-south interconnector.
“We committed last year, to be open with people and find out what it is they want from this most critical of infrastructure. We are now asking people to give us their views on our draft strategy”, he said. Mr Slye concluded: “EirGrid must ensure the necessary grid is in place to ensure that Ireland remains competitive – fostering economic growth, attracting new investments, and supporting indigenous jobs. It must do this without placing too great a burden on communities, or too high a cost on industry. When we have received people’s feedback we will submit this draft to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for its consideration before publishing the final strategy later this year.”

The County Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee has been campaigning against the overhead route for the past seven years. It has argued that the lines should be placed underground. Nigel Hillis, an engineer, said the need for a new interconnector had not been identified by EirGrid and they had not persuaded people living in the affected area that it was needed. This was not the case with another major infrastructure development when the main N2 road was being improved with by-passes around Castleblayney and Carrickmacross.

He said there was still serious opposition to the plans. One of the main concerns from the start, he said, had been the scale of the project, because the size and topography of the small farms in the county had not been taken into account when the positioning of pylons was being worked out. He said EirGrid had not identified the need for having big pylons on top of hills, close to a farmyard or houses. (The company said the centre of the proposed high voltage line would be no nearer to a residence than 50 metres).

Mr Hillis questioned why EirGrid was suggesting that part of the proposed GridWest scheme (up to 30km) could be situated underground using trenches alongside roads. He claimed that people in Monaghan were being treated as second class citizens and said they wanted to be treated the same as others.

The Dáil Communications Committee chaired by John O’Mahony T.D. has invited EirGrid to appear before them in the coming weeks to answer questions about the North/South interconnector. Mr Hillis hopes his group will also be given a chance to put their views across as well. From the first day of their formation the committee had argued for an underground route and that was now feasible, he said, as this option was being considered for the other two major grid projects.

Eirgrid says there are technical issues with putting 400kV AC lines underground over long distances and there would be operational complexities. It maintains that underground cables for the North/South route would be too expensive and difficult to install. Local residents however think the cost to them, their livelihoods, their homes and to local tourism would be equally damaging.

Northern Standard Thursday April 9th p.31 with pictures by © Pat Byrne

LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

12/04/2015 by borderroamer

Conor McManus (Monaghan) receives Man of the Match award Photo: Monaghan GAA

Cork beat Donegal in the first semi-final Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

View from the Lower Hogan Stand Photo: © Michael Fisher

A close call for the Dubs as valiant Monaghan go down by a single point in the National League semi-final at Croke Park 0-17 to 0-16. After last week’s drubbing by the Dubs at Clones, there weren’t too many supporters in the crowd of 20,000 expecting a Monaghan win. But as one friend from Emyvale said to me before the game, a defeat of around four points would be a good result for the Farneymen. In the end Monaghan almost managed a draw and a chance of taking victory in extra time. The Dubs however moved the ball quickly and precisely, launching wave upon wave of attacks on the Monaghan defence. But Monaghan kept with them all the way, up until the sixtieth minute when the sides were level on fourteen points each.

Monaghan huddle before the throw-in Photo: © Michael Fisher

HALF TIME: Dublin 0-09 Monaghan 0-07

(RTÉ Sport)

Dublin just about deserved their early advantage after a tense opening. Monaghan defended in numbers when Dublin attacked which was perhaps to be expected. Their last Croke Park clash with Dublin in the 2014 Championship ended in a 17-points battering. When the sides met in the final round of the league last weekend, Dublin were again double digit victors. So Monaghan regularly got 12 and 13 men behind the ball, often leaving McManus isolated in attack.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side did go forward in numbers when in possession, however, and picked off some fine points with an efficient display. Man-of-the-match Conor McManus was marked by David Byrne until the 52nd minute when Jonny Cooper was moved onto him. The Clontibret attacker gave Byrne a torrid time and scored six points off him. The ex-All Star escaped for two early points from play and another from a free after a foul on Owen Duffy. Kieran Hughes boomed over a beauty from distance too as did Neil McAdam while goalkeeper Rory Beggan nailed a free from all of 55 metres out.

Points came slightly easier to Dublin initially though and they also had a great goal chance when Cian O’Sullivan dragged a 30th minute shot wide. Dublin defender Philly McMahon strode forward for two points while Rock hit three points in the opening half, all from placed balls. Dubs rookie Brian Fenton closed out the first-half scoring and doubled his tally in the 42nd minute.

But Monaghan were the dominant force for much of the second-half and turned in a powerful display. McManus kicked three more scores from play in a row before Byrne was substituted. Dick Clerkin was excellent as a sub, scoring three points in all that helped Monaghan draw level at 0-13 each in the 55th minute. They remained tied with six minutes remaining but Dublin edged a tense finale thanks to those late points from Rock, O Conghaile and McCaffrey.

Dublin: S Cluxton, J Cooper, David Byrne, J McCaffrey (0-01), J Small, P McMahon (0-02), J McCarthy, D Bastick (0-01), C O’Sullivan, P Flynn (0-01), D Connolly, B Fenton (0-02), K McManamon (0-02), D Rock (0-07, 0-06f, 0-01 45), C Kilkenny.

Subs: MD Macauley for O’Sullivan, P Andrews for McManamon, D Daly for Byrne, E O Conghaile (0-01) for Bastick, C Costello for Fenton, T Brady for Flynn.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-01, 0-01f), F Kelly, K Duffy, R Wylie, K O’Connell, V Corey, N McAdam (0-01), D Hughes, P Finlay (0-01, 0-01f); D Mone, K Hughes (0-02), T Kerr, R McAnespie, C McManus (0-08, 0-03f), O Duffy.

Subs: D Clerkin (0-03) for Kerr, D Malone for Duffy, S Gollogly for McAnespie, P McKenna for Finlay, D McKenna for O’Connell.

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).

Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke: “We’re pleased with a lot of aspects of our performance. We upped it in the second half. At 14-all we would have liked to go on and win it but that didn’t happen. We’ll take a lot of positives out of the league but we realise we still have a lot of work to do.”

Dublin manager Jim Gavin: “If we’re looking for positives, going down the stretch Monaghan looked in the ascendancy but our guys dug deep and found the scores. Some of our decision-making was poor but Monaghan were very impressive. The game could have gone either way.”

LARAGH DUCK RACE

11/04/2015 by borderroamer

Laragh Duck sitting in a field beside the N2 at Broomfield Photo: © Michael Fisher

LARAGH DUCK RACE Northern Standard Thursday April 9th p.2
The Easter Ramble Run & Rubber Duck Race takes place in Laragh on this Sunday 12th April 2pm-5pm. The 5k walk leaves from Laragh at 2pm (registration from 1pm). The duck races begin at 3pm.

All roads lead to Laragh on Sunday 12th April Photo: © Michael Fisher

All proceeds will go towards the restoration of The Millers Cottages in Laragh, which were built in the 1800’s and housed those who worked at Laragh tweed mill. There will be a number of rubber duck races (all sponsored by local businesses in the area) in the fast flowing river beside St Peter’s Tin Tabernacle. The main sponsor of the event is IGWT, Broomfield and its managing directors Raymond and Mary McCaughey are delighted with the opportunity to support the local community in their endeavours. They provided the field beside the N2 Monaghan to Castleblayney road where the giant Laragh duck has been sitting to promote the event. Ducks cost €2 each or you can adopt 3 ducks for €5. You can order your ducks through the Laragh Heritage facebook page http://www.facebook.com/laraghheritagemonaghan or alternatively you can get ducks on the day of the race.

Laragh Duck article Northern Standard Photo: Jimmy Walsh

The next major event this year will take place to coincide with National Heritage Week on August 30th. The Laragh Linen & Flax Festival will take place in Laragh Village. The community will sow flax seed in the coming weeks and demonstrate the process in advance of the festival, which celebrates the rich tradition which is so strongly associated with Laragh.

KATE BEAGAN EXHIBITION

10/04/2015 by borderroamer

Kate Beagan at the opening of her exhibition at the Doorway Gallery Photo: © Michael Fisher

‘I Came upon a Place’ is the title of Donaghmoyne artist Kate Beagan’s new solo exhibition in Dublin at the Doorway Gallery. Her beautiful landscapes can be seen there until. Thanks to Denise Donnelly and Deirdre Carroll for a successful opening night at South Frederick Street (not far from the Dáil, if you are visiting Dublin).

Kate Beagan at the opening of her exhibition at the Doorway Gallery Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Doorway Gallery is delighted to host an exhibition by Kate Beagan, opening on Thursday April 9th between 6:00-7.30pm on 24 South Frederick Street. The exhibition will run until April 30th.

Painting by Kate Beagan ‘Perbeach in Winter’ €2,600.00 Photo: © Michael Fisher

“I came upon a Place” is a new series of paintings by the artist Kate Beagan. Inspired by her surroundings in Co. Monaghan, Kate is drawn to the dramatic light cast upon the landscape and how ordinary subjects can become extraordinary when viewed through this light.

‘After the Storm’ by Kate Beagan €1800 at Doorway Gallery Photo: © Michael Fisher

In this collection, Kate captures the small winding roads of a county that is unspoilt and set apart from any other because of its drumlins.

There are 28 works that can be viewed on the gallery’s website and purchased here.

Layering the canvas with smooth and confident strokes she paints with various brushes and homemade scrapers in a style that is loose and fresh.

Doorway Gallery owners Deirdre Carroll and Denise Donnelly with Kate Beagan’s painting ‘Reflection’ Photo: © Michael Fisher

MONAGHAN IN DUBLIN

09/04/2015 by borderroamer

As the capital prepares for a Monaghan invasion for the return match against the Dubs at Croke Park on Sunday in the National League football semi-final, tonight (Thursday) was also an important (and busy) night for Monaghan folk in Dublin in the arts world. Donaghmoyne artist Kate Beagan was launching a new exhibition of her paintings “I Came Upon A Place” in the Doorway Gallery at South Frederick Street. Mary O’Donnell from Monaghan town was celebrating the publication of a new collection of poetry, “Those April Fevers” by Arc Publications. There were many familiar faces in the Benedict Kiely room at the Irish Writers Centre in Parnell Square, including several supporters of the William Carleton summer school such as poets Maurice Harmon and Iggy McGovern.

MONAGHAN RESTAURANT AWARDS

08/04/2015 by borderroamer

Courthouse Restaurant Carrickmacross

TOP RESTAURANTS IN MONAGHAN RECEIVE AWARDS Northern Standard Thursday 9th April p.17
Michael Fisher

Chef Conor Mee and his Courthouse Restaurant in Carrickmacross received the top accolades for County Monaghan in the Ulster regional final of the Irish Restaurant Awards, held on Tuesday evening. The high standard of customer service at the Courthouse was also recognised in that category.

The Batch Loaf Restaurant, North Road, Monaghan Photo: Facebook

The Batch Loaf in North Road, Monaghan, which opened last November (and where I enjoyed a meal recently), was nominated as the best newcomer. Other awards went to Snaffle’s Restaurant at Castle Leslie, Glaslough and to Andy’s in Monaghan for best gastro pub.

Andy’s Restaurant, Market Street, Monaghan Photo: TripAdvisor Sarah-Lou H, May 2013

Over 500 restaurant owners, hotel restaurants and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the event, which saw many well-known restaurateurs turn out at Titanic Belfast to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.

Courthouse Restaurant is run and owned by Conor Mee and Charlotte Carr. They met up while training in the tourism college in Charlotte’s native town of Killybegs in County Donegal.

Conor Mee and Charlotte Carr, Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross

This was during the mid 1990s, after which Conor worked in Ashford Castle, Australia and then the Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross as Sous Chef. He went onto to open the highly successful Rosso Restaurant in Dundalk in 2006. Shortly afterwards Charlotte took the helm as restaurant manager, having spent many years as restaurant supervisor in the Restaurant at the Nuremore. In October 2009 both decided to move on from Rosso and to take over the former ‘Mollys’ site in Carrickmacross. The restaurant has won a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the past two years.

The Monaghan winners were:

Best Restaurant:
Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross

Best Chef:
Conor Mee of Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross

Best Gastro Pub:
Andy’s Bar and Restaurant, Monaghan

The Fiddlers Elbow, Carrickmacross Photo: Facebook

Best Casual Dining:
Bistro Restaurant at The Fiddlers Elbow, Carrickmacross (where I had my lunch yesterday, Tuesday)

Snaffles Restaurant, Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough Photo: Website

Best Hotel Restaurant:
Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough

Best Customer Service:
Courthouse Restaurant

Best Wine Experience:
Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough

Best Newcomer:
The Batch Loaf, Monaghan

Best Restaurant Manager in Ulster:
Saul McConnell of Deanes Deli & Bistro, Belfast

Adrian Cummins, CEO RAI Photo: ITIC Ireland

Speaking at the awards, the Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said; “The Irish Restaurant Awards are celebrating their seventh year and have become the island’s biggest food awards. The credibility that these awards have is reflected in the amount of nominations they received. Over 30,000 votes were cast across nine categories, showing that these are the awards that everyone wants to win”.

“The Irish restaurant scene is internationally recognised for its high calibre of restaurateurs and chefs. These awards celebrate the people that make the restaurant sector the dynamic and exciting industry it is. They are the people who provide 72,000 jobs to our economy and generate revenue in excess of €2 billion. We’re recognising the talent, hard work and commitment that everyone here gives to the food industry. Tonight, everyone is a winner.”

Food outlets were nominated under the categories of Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Casual Dining, Best Gastro Pub, Best Customer Service, Best Wine Experience, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine, Best Kids Size Me and Local Food Hero.

All county winners now compete for the Ulster and All-Ireland Title, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Dublin on Monday 25th May.

There are three components to the second phase of the process. Each element is independently assessed by Ernst and Young.

Mystery Guest Visit (55%): this component of the awards is conducted by Prism Consulting headed by Hugo Arnold, independent food writer and consultant. All county winners and Dublin shortlist receive a mystery guest visit throughout the months of April and May.
National Awards Academy (35%): the national awards Academy is made up of representatives from each of the regional judging panels and will meet in May to judge the county winners and the Dublin shortlist. The Academy members include food writers, journalists, academics and hospitality magazine editors.
Menu Judging (10%): all county winners and the Dublin shortlist in each category are asked to submit a copy of their menu.

LEGO IN CARRICKMACROSS

07/04/2015 by borderroamer

LEGO enthusiast Paul Derrick has constructed a display of various pieces using half a million Lego bricks. His work can be seen during opening hours at the Civic Offices in Carrickmacross in the lobby beside the Library. The exhibition finishes on Friday afternoon. Paul, who lives in Carrickmacross, is a firefighter. His display includes eight galleons and a model of an Irish medieval fort (a bit like the one in Kinsale). There are pieces conneted with Star Wars and there is a display illustrating the battle of Rorke’s Drift in the Anglo-Zulu war in January 1879.