Wineport Lodge recently added another accolade to an illustrious list of awards, winning Taste of the Waterways at the 2020 Georgina Campbell Irish Food and Hospitality Awards recently held in Dublin.
The luxury bolthole, located on Lough Ree, has long been renowned for its food and hospitality. While it has earned a stellar reputation as a luxury retreat with 30 bedrooms and suites and an intimate treatment suite, food remains at the heart of the Wineport Lodge experience.
Announced at a gala lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin, the Georgina Campbell Awards recognise the hotels, guesthouses and restaurants around the country offering the highest standards of food and service.
The A Taste of the Waterways Award is given to the best establishment on Ireland’s inland waterways, which Georgina Campbell calls “nothing short of a national treasure.”
Wineport Lodge owner Ray Byrne who collected the award on behalf of the team, and said afterwards that winning this sort of recognition is testament to the collective effort involved; “We’re absolutely delighted. There’s a great sense of satisfaction for the whole team when we receive an award such as this, as it’s a real recognition of everyone’s effort and dedication to ensuring our guests’ experience with us is a remarkable and memorable one.”
The awards citation said of Wineport Lodge; “Ray Byrne and Jane English’s unique shoreside lodge overlooking Lough Ree started life in 1993 as a rustic restaurant with themes echoing life around the river and lakes - and, although it now has thirty beautiful rooms (all with private balconies overlooking the lake ), a hot tub and treatment rooms - the lovely contemporary restaurant remains its heart, serving fine meals with warmth and professionalism. A great example of sustainable development, the food experience here has always been about seasonal local produce and a formal meal in this stunning venue is a special outing - but it’s also ideal for afternoon tea or a casual daytime bite in the bar, and this giant of the inland waterways makes a perfect journey break.”