2024 Award Winners GASTRO-PUB OF THE YEAR 2024

Deerpark Inn, Virginia, Co Cavan

Nobody does it better than Richard Corrigan when it comes to creating a sense of authentic Irish atmosphere - and with terrific local food, friendly staff and a bit of quirky luxury thrown in, what you get from Richard and his team is a uniquely satisfying and relaxing experience. At the Deerpark Inn, that translates into a genuine country pub feel, with deliciously upbeat traditional cooking - and six lovely rooms upstairs. 'A hop, skip and a jump' from its famous sister property Virginia Park Lodge is how Deerpark Inn is described on the Virgina Park Lodge website - and that's as nice a way as any to explain the relationship to first-time guests, many of whom will be visiting the area for weddings and other events held at the Lodge. Having acquired the former Chestnut Tree pub in 2019, the grand plan was foiled by the arrival of the pandemic but - following a time when it was mainly used for private parties relating to Virgina Park Lodge events -the Deerpark finally opened fully in 2023, and it has since matured nicely into its role as a proper rural pub with a growing reputation for its friendly staff and terrific upbeat traditional bar food. Warm and understated, as the best Irish pubs tend to be, there's a base of loyal regulars spiced up with travellers happy to happen on this wonderful place. They may be here for the trademark fish & chips, perhaps, or Richard's Deerpark pork. As local at could be, the pork is supplied by his Oxford & Sandy Black pigs just up the lime-tree-lined drive at Virgina Park Lodge, where all the fresh seasonal produce on the menu is also grown. Well worth a detour...