2024 Award Winners CASUAL DINING AWARD 2024 - RESTAURANT & BAR

Sadler's, Fethard, Co Tipperary

A new venture from the team behind the Cashel Palace Hotel (and with a good kitchen team overseen by their Director of Culinary, Stephen Hayes) and Mikey Ryan's, Sadler's opened in nearby Fethard in March 2024. And it’s a cracker. Looking pretty in pink, the smartly refurbished building is enticing and there’s great attention to detail in the bright, stylish and very comfortable interior, where hands-on manager and Restaurant Director, Liam O’Toole, has ensured that everything - right down to the selection of cutlery - combines to create the perfect ambience. And, before food even comes into the equation, there's that sense of being part of the region's equestrian community. With memorabilia all around, notably referencing their many big race winners, there would be no prizes for guessing the connection with the Magnier family of nearby Coolmore Stud - and that sense of community also comes through in the food, of course, with local producers proudly credited. With deliciously flavoursome food, an informal ambience and lovely warm service Sadler’s is a boon to locals, but also well worth a detour off the Dublin-Cork motorway with a wonderful rural drive to enjoy. And don’t be in too much hurry while you’re there - allow some time to check out the back corridor, which is lined with (captioned) photos and newspaper cuttings going back many years. Fascinating.