2019 Award Winners PUB & ATMOSPHERIC VENUE OF THE YEAR 2019

Pot Duggans, Ennistymon, Co Clare

While Irish pubs in general are going through a challenging time, the pub experience remains one of the highlights of a visit to this country for visitors from abroad, who love the unique atmosphere and the craic. And as long as there are new pubs as delightful as this one coming on stream, the future of the Irish pub is assured.

Imaginatively converting an old pub, forge and cow byre - and focusing on freshness, flavour and simplicity in the kitchen - put Dublin publican Trev O’Shea’s latest venture, Pot Duggans, firmly on the map from the get-go. While it may be very simple, there is a strong Ballymaloe-influenced kitchen team in place and the mainly local and seasonal food that they offer is oh-so-delicious. With a few indoor seats in the old bar, and more in the courtyard and at waterside tables beside the Inagh River, it’s a delightful place to relax and enjoy this tasty fare – and to relish the drink, of course, which has an equal emphasis on local (or at least Irish) provenance. But, charming as that is, there is even more to Pot Duggans than an old world pub and beer garden - the converted outbuildings also make it a wonderfully atmospheric venue for private parties and events, including live music of course, and also a regular craft fair and a Wine & Cheese festival among others. Another great pub for County Clare.