A bank holiday Monday spent in Manchester – not a bad way to be. Even better if you’ve just picked up – or held on to – a Michelin star for the year ahead.
While the new Bib Gourmand entries for 2024 were announced last week, with five additions for Ireland and a further one for Northern Ireland, there’s one thing I’ve learned in the few years of following the awarding of Michelin stars, especially for Ireland – there are zero guarantees. Hope, sure, but no guarantees. However, three eateries tipped late in the week by Gillian Nelis in the Business Post – The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace (Cashel), D’Olier Street (Dublin) and Homestead Cottage (Doolin) – made for a hat-trick of new one-star listings for Ireland for the year ahead.
On the two-star front, Cork’s Terre has been given a bump. Collecting their first Michelin star in 2023, Terre at the cracking Castlemartyr Resort, under the stewardship of Vincent Crepel, is one of just five new two-star entries in the 2024 guide. Ireland’s search for that elusive three-star award continues.
Kilkenny holding its own yet again
The great news on the Kilkenny front is that Campagne on Gas House Lane in the city centre, headed up by chef Garrett Byrne, and Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Estate, led by John Kelly, both retain their one-star Michelin status for 2024.
Of Campagne, the Guide notes “This long-standing restaurant is owned and run by experienced chef Garrett Byrne – who really knows his craft – along with his partner, Brid Hannon, who provides relaxed, friendly service. The modern interior is sleek, with curved banquettes, spot-lit dark wood tables and striking local artwork hanging on the walls. Top quality Irish ingredients are showcased in richly flavoured, classic dishes: you won’t find foams or smears on your plate here – just confidently cooked, skilfully balanced dishes, with exemplary plating, saucing and seasoning.”
Of Lady Helen, the Guide notes “Set on a 1,500-acre estate, this impressive country house is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in Ireland; it still boasts its original stuccowork and hand-carved marble fireplaces, and its well-appointed bedrooms follow the period style. The luxurious restaurant comprises two high-ceilinged rooms which look out over the estate towards the river and come with all the comfort and elegance one would expect from such a historic place. John Kelly’s boldly flavoured, visually impressive dishes are skilfully prepared, and ingredients come from the estate, the county and the coast. Playful desserts make a memorable finish.”
Two Michelin Star restaurants in Ireland for 2024
- Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, Dublin
- dede, Baltimore
- Liath, Blackrock
- Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin
- Terre, Castlemartyr – New for 2024
One Michelin Star restaurants in Ireland for 2024
- Aniar, Galway
- Bastible, Dublin
- Bastion, Kinsale
- Campagne, Kilkenny (City)
- Chestnut, Ballydehob
- D’Olier Street, Dublin (new for 2024)
- Glovers Alley, Dublin
- Homestead Cottage, Doolin (new for 2024)
- House, Ardmore
- Lady Helen, Kilkenny (Thomastown)
- The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Tipperary (new for 2024)
- The Oak Room, Adare
- Variety Jones, Dublin
- Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
Dropping off the Michelin-star list for 2024 are Cork’s Ichigo Ichie, its change in direction seeing it named one of the country’s Bib Gourmand additions for 2024, and Aimsir. In all, for the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2024, we’re now home to five two-star Michelin restaurants and 14 one-star restaurants.
Other awards for 2024
Michel Roux Jr., who called time on the two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in mid-January was on hand to announce the one-star awards while also collecting the Michelin Mentorship Award, along with a tidy new black chef’s jacket to go with it as well. This year’s Michelin Young Chef Award recipient was Jake Jones of Forge in Middleton-Tyas (UK) while the Michelin Service Award was presented to Robbie Ashby of Stage (Exeter). The Michelin Sommelier award also went to the UK with Valentin Mouillard from L’Enclume (Cartmel) taking the honours while Ryan McHarg of The Spence (Edinburgh) collected the Exceptional Cocktails award.
You can watch the event back in full as it happened on Monday evening below.
