THE Watermill Lodge Restaurant, Lisnaskea scooped an awards treble at the Ulster Regional Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards this week.

The four-star eaterie was among five local restaurants celebrated as some of the top establishments across the nine counties of Ulster.

Over 300 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast on Tuesday night.

The Watermill was named Fermanagh’s Best Restaurant, Best Hotel Restaurant and also took home the Best Wine Experience accolade for the County.

Best Chef in Fermanagh went to Noel McMeel of The Catalina Restaurant at the Lough Erne Resort.

Blakes of the Hollow were recognised twice at the regional awards, securing the Best Gastro Pub as well as the Best Casual Dining accolade for Cafe Merlot.

Enniskillen Greek restaurant, Dollakis was awarded the Best Customer Service accolade.

Elsewhere, celebrity chef, Neven Maguire was another big winner. Besides being announced as Cavan’s Best Chef, his restaurant, MacNean House and Restaurant was awardes the Best Restaurant and Best Wine Experience titles.

Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said the Irish Restaurant Awards have become the Island’s biggest food awards.

“The credibility that these awards have is reflected in the amount of nominations they received this year - over 19,000 votes were cast across nine categories, showing that these are the awards that everyone wants to win.

All County winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Dublin on Monday, June 9.