Top accolade for Duck Restaurant
TWO top County Wexford establishments have been honoured with 2017 Georgina Campbell awards.
They are The Duck Restaurant, at Marlfield House, near Gorey, which won the accolade as ‘Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year’ and Killiane Castle, near Wexford town, which won the award as ‘Farmhouse of the Year’.
The 2017 awards were revealed at Bord Bia in Dublin last week before a gathering of the very best in Irish hospitality.
The awards are associated with the respected Georgina Campbell’s Ireland independent hospitality guides, and Ireland’s most popular independent hospitality and travel website www.ireland-guide.com. These are Ireland’s longest-running food and hospitality awards, and highly respected by the industry.
The citation for The Duck Terrace Restaurant said: ‘Irish diners place a high premium on atmosphere – often rating it even above the quality of food when choosing where to eat out – but this restaurant, although certainly atmospheric, has much more to it than that.
‘As everyone familiar with past winners of our Atmospheric category will know, we seek out establishments that offer very high standards all round, with great atmosphere as the icing on the cake.’
Some really lovely restored buildings beside Marlfield House took on a new lease of life in 2015, when a series of disused areas – including a coach house, potting shed and gardener’s tool shed – were very attractively developed by Margaret and Laura Bowe to create a stylishly informal restaurant and café-bar, named ‘The Duck’ after their mother Mary’s fondness for the ducks in their garden.
With a large terrace overlooking the fine kitchen gardens that have for many years inspired proudly seasonal menus in the main house (as they still do), diners at the new restaurant can enjoy them in a very up close and personal way, as the terrace is right alongside the kitchen garden – which, in summer, is a wonderfully lush mixture of herbs, vegetables, fruit and rose blooms.
‘It’s a magic spot, especially on a fine day - and, although it may be a more obvious choice in summer, this relaxed restaurant is an atmospheric all-year destination and there’s always a cheering open fire to make it a cosy place to enjoy the good modern, broadly Italian,’ concluded the citation.
As for Killiane Castle Country House and Farm, in Drinagh, close to Wexford town, the awards citation said: ‘the idea of a farm stay is heaven to many visitors to Ireland, and to families living in cities.
‘Quality farm stays have huge potential in Ireland, as there is great – and growing – international demand for really good accommodation tied in with the experience of staying on a working farm.
‘Yet, surprisingly perhaps, only a relatively small number of farming families have so far taken up the challenge of offering a high end experience to visitors, so it is always a special pleasure when we find it is done well. The Mernagh family offer B&B in a pretty grand style, with a working farm that boasts a real castle (that may be climbed, with care, to the very top), a charming 17th century house to stay in, and lots to do including a farm walk, pitch & putt, and watching the milking. With excellent rooms, terrific food and hospitality, and great pride of place, this is the perfect spot for stressed townies - especially with children in tow - and a wonderful discovery for visitors from abroad.
‘And, while not every farm has a Norman castle waiting to be restored (although many do have interesting ruins that might be developed), it’s not only a great place to stay but also an ideal place to visit for any farming family seeking business inspiration.
‘And perhaps the best thing of all about this farm is that it’s moving into a new generation, with Kathleen Mernagh and her son Paul currently involved - and it just goes on getting better.’
Paul said the family was thrilled with the award which ‘is recognition for the hard work and long hours we put in to make our business a success.’