Charlie's Bar, Enniskillen wins Ulster Pub of the Year at prestigious restaurant awards

The family-owned establishment won 'Ulster Pub of the Year' at the prestigious awards ceremony which was held in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) on Monday, September 19. This follows the pub's success at the Irish Restaurant Awards Ulster final, where it took home 'Fermanagh Pub of the Year'.

Charlie's Bar wins Ulster Pub of the Year at Irish Restaurant Awards. Photo: Paul Sherwood Photographer

Speaking following the awards ceremony, Una Burns, manager of Charlie's Bar commented that she was "immensely proud" to accept the award.

"We would like to recognise our incredible staff. The hospitality industry is far from easy but each week, our team puts in a mighty effort to ensure each person feels truly welcome," she said, going on to thank the pub's "loyal customers", noting that some have been visiting Charlie's since it was owned by the first generation of her family: "Thank you for your support over the last 78 years and for your patience as we have navigated the choppy waters and the ever changing nature of life in hospitality."

Una concluded by dedicating the award to her grandparents who first opened the pub in 1944.

"As a family, we would like to dedicate this award to Charlie and Bea Burns (now celebrating her 99th year). What started as a young couple’s dream back in 1944, has become a family legacy, spanning three generations. We hope we have done you proud," she said.

Almost 900 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards ceremony, which saw many well-known restaurateurs, hospitality business and staff turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.

Speaking at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said; “This has been an outstanding year for the Irish Restaurant Awards, in it’s 13th Year now after a two year break due to Covid we have surpassed previous years online public nominations with over 100,000 received in June and our Regional Events held in August and September in Meath, Cavan, Cork and Leitrim had almost 3,000 attendees.

"The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing and up and coming talent in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without the dedicated and passionate staff in the industry. We are delighted to have the Awards back up and running again and it has been a fantastic display of what the industry has to offer here tonight in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD).”