Athlone wins on the double as Sean's Bar and Thyme triumph at restaurant awards

Athlone's reputation as a town that punches above its weight in the hospitality sector received a further boost when two local businesses picked up major honours at the national final of the Irish Restaurant Awards on Monday.

The town's most famous pub, Sean's Bar, was crowned as Ireland's Pub of the Year at the awards ceremony, after first receiving the prize for Pub of the Year in Leinster.

And another award made its way back to the banks of the Shannon when Thyme restaurant, in Custume Place, added to its lengthy list of accolades by being named the provincial winner for Leinster in the Best Restaurant category.

Thyme's proprietor and chef, John Coffey, expressed his delight at the awards success for his business and for Sean's.

"It's great for Athlone to have two big awards like this coming back to the town. It can only be a good thing," he said.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Tuesday morning, Timmy Donovan of Sean's Bar said its award win was particularly poignant, given that it had come just seven months after the death of Phil Byrne, owner of the pub.

Phil's wife, Cathy, represented Sean's at the awards along with Timmy, and Brendan Nugent.

Commenting on the win, Cathy said: "I'd like to thank the customers and staff for this fantastic achievement. It's a team effort and we are all one big family here.

"I know Phil would be so proud of us all. I'm sure he's having a few pints and celebrating with us."

Sean's Bar has attracted international publicity due to its listing in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in Ireland.

When asked what it was that made the pub so successful, Timmy Donovan said: "It comes down to everybody that works there, the atmosphere, the craic, and Cathy, who owns the pub, for keeping everything going. (The award win) is great news for everybody."

This year marks the third occasion in which Thyme has claimed the top restaurant in Leinster title at the Irish Restaurant Awards. John Coffey said wins such as this were still sweet.

"It's nice to be still relevant after all these years!" he said. "At a time when the industry is going through a difficult phase, it's always nice to get accolades like this.

"It will bring in extra customers, and possibly customers who haven't been in before. It creates interest, and it's all about matching expectations after that.

"It adds pressure all the time, but that's what keeps pushing you on. The pressure is good for everyone."

John said award successes like this one "wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the great team we have working in the restaurant, the incredible local producers and suppliers that feature on our menus, and of course the support of customers that keep coming in the door."

Monday night's final was held at the Clayton Hotel, on Dublin's Burlington Road, and was attended by more than 1,000 of the country's top hospitality professionals.

Dede at the Customs House, in Baltimore, Cork, was named Best Restaurant in Ireland, while John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate was awarded the Best Chef in Ireland title.

Renowned Chef Neven Maguire was also honoured at the event with the Outstanding Achievement Award recognising his contribution to Irish food and hospitality.