Brabazon Restaurant celebrates triple win at YesChef Awards

They say good things come in threes and that was certainly the case for Tankardstown’s Brabazon Restaurant at the YesChef Awards 2023, where they picked up three esteemed awards at the ceremony held in the Fairways Hotel,Dundalkrecently.

Congratulations to Brabazon Restaurant’s HeadChefJohnnySarkozi on being awarded Chef of theYearinLeinster,andto the entire team on winning Country House Restaurant of the Year in Leinster, and Restaurant Interior of the Year in Leinster.

The annual YesChef Awards are held in great esteem in the hospitality industry, and the evening was well attended with more than 500 hopeful finalists present to cele- brate the best in the industry. Tankardstown’s General Tadhg Carolan commented ‘It is an honour to be recognized among such talented chefs and establishments, and we couldn't be more grateful. Thank you to YesChefIreland,ourhardworkingteam,andmostof all, our valued guests for theiramazingsupport’.

Tankardstown’s Brabazon Restaurant reopened earlier this year after undergoing expansion and refurbishment, to include the stunning newMorrisSuite.

Since re-opening they have been no stranger to critical acclaim, winning Best Restaurant in Meath at the Irish Restaurant Awards, and receiving a wonderful review and commendation from Lu- cinda O’Sullivan in the SundayIndependent.

Located in the stunning Tankardstown Estate, just outside Slane, diners can enjoy both casual lunch andclassiceveningdining Wednesday through Sunday, with Traditional Afternoon Tea set to be introduced in the coming weeks.

During the spring and summer months, guests can dine alfresco on Brabazon’s Terrace, while the cosy, sophisticated interiors and bright Morris Suite is perfect for dining atanytimeofyear.

Sample menus can be viewed by logging on to our website www. tankardstown.ie and dining reservations can be made by contacting us on 041 9824621 or info@tankardstown.ie

Scoil Mhuire, Baile Átha Troim raised their Gaelbhratach flags at St Patrick’scampus,DCU.

Over 200 students from Gaelbhratach committees in post-primary schools across the country gathered to celebrate their hard work in promoting Irish in their schools throughout the year, and were presented with a Gaelbhratachflag.

Through workshops, craic and conversation, not to mention the brilliant music from Tadhg, the young Gaeil got a taste of the Irish language community, along with motivation to “raise the Irish flag”intheirownlives.

Congratulations and thanksarealsoinorderfor other schools in the area who were not able to attend the event. Barry Ó Siochrú, the first Irish language officer in NUIG Students’ Union, said, “I am so proud to have been MC at this excellent occasion. I attended this event as a student myself and it is brilliant to see the young students now raising their Gaelbhratach just as I did.

I am filled with optimism about the future of these students, and indeed about the future of the Irishlanguage.”

An interesting and inspirational panel discussion was held; included on the panel were Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, founder of Fia Digital, podaster and social media guru, Chloe Ní Ruairc, Gníomhaí Gaeilge coordinator with Conradh na Gaeilge, as well as Eoin Ó Catháin, political correspondent for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. They spoke about the different careers available through Irish, their role in the Irish languagedomain,andtheextra opportunities that speaking Irish has providedthem.

Mairéad, the manager of Gaelbhratach,said“Thisis always one of the high- lights of the year. The presentation gives us the opportunity to meet and to celebratestudentsfromall parts of the country. Every school has its own story but the common thread between these groups is theirrecognitionoftheimportance of the Irish language, and their efforts to promote it. How lucky are we to work with young peoplewhoenergiseus.”

Sheadded,“Ouraimisto normalise spoken Irish in schools across the country.Wewouldliketothank our funders, Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Education, and of course the brilliant schoolswhotakepart.”

“We extend our thanks also to DCU Library who hosted the event in the St Patrick’s Campus, Drumacondra.”

Trim Library and Cultural Centre opened by Minister Heather Humphries.

Minister Heather Humphries has officially opened the new Trim Library and Cultural Centre which represents a significant investment for the town of Trim and the people of the surrounding area. Itbuildsupontheestablished success of the existing Library and responds directly to the needs of the performing and visual arts, which are key feature of the town’s culturallife.

In broad terms, this project will consolidate the historic town centre and add to the rich cultural and tourist amenities of the area. And in so doing, contribute to the continued economic, social and cultural regeneration of the town centre. The development includes refurbishment of the former St. Patrick’s Chapel for use as part of the Centre and will provide additional facilitiesforthelibraryincluding new reception, study and multipurpose rooms and supportservices.

There will be a performance space with seating capacity for up to 247 people, including stage, scene dock and support spaces, shared foyer and entrance space to the Centre including shared facilities, meeting/changing rooms and rehearsal spaces providing a resource long sought by a number of active local drama, music and theatre groups.