Moy pub named best in Tyrone

But it was not the only winner at this Year's Irish Restaurant Awards, which also saw Donaghmore's Brewer's House walk away with two awards. The first for best chef and the second for best gastro pub.

Also topping Tyrone categories were Oysters Restaurant in Strabane, Viscounts Dungannon, Carleton Restaurant at Corick House Hotel and Spa and Chapter V, which is also in Donaghmore.

The Tyrone pub of the year title was awarded to the small village bar at the Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh last night, where a total of 87 awards were presented to some of the country's leading chefs, restaurants and pubs at the Ulster Regional Finals - in front a 600-strong crowd.

County winners from each of Ulster’s nine counties were selected from the following categories: Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Customer Service, Best Wine Experience, Best Newcomer and Pub of the Year.

Now those on that list can expect a visit from a mystery guest throughout the months of March and April as they compete for all Ireland titles.

Speaking at the awards, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: "Now in their ninth year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the exquisite and admirable calibre of food available in our restaurants and pubs nationwide.

"Online nominations have increased from 9,000 in 2013 to over 80,000 this year and with the increase in interest comes an increase in standards, making the judging process more difficult than ever.

"Our small island boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastro pubs, from the exotic taste explosions of world cuisine to the comfort of traditional dishes. We have an appreciation for what we eat, for the journey of our food from farm to fork, and for the dedication of those working in the food industry to serve up Ireland’s finest food."

All County winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 2, on Monday May 8, 2017.

The Tyrone winners were…

Best Restaurant: Oysters Restaurant, 37 Patrick Street, Strabane

Best Chef: Brian McMonagle of The Brewer’s House, Donaghmore, Dungannon

Best Gastro Pub: The Brewer’s House, 73 Castlecaulfield Road, Donaghmore, Dungannon

Best Casual Dining: Viscounts Restaurant, 10 Northland Row, Dungannon

Best Hotel Restaurant: Carleton Restaurant at Corick House Hotel & Spa, Clogher

Best Customer Service: Chapter V Restaurant, 73 Castlecaulfield Road, Donaghmore, Dungannon

Best Wine Experience: Oysters Restaurant, 37 Patrick Street, Strabane

Pub of the Year: Tomney’s Bar, The Square, Moy, Dungannon