News And Events
Balloo House Win Pub of the Year!
Monday 20 October 2008
As well as being awarded with the distinguished Taste of Ulster Award, Balloo House have also won the Georgina Campbell Pub of the Year Award!!!
BALLOO HOUSE WINS PUB OF THE YEAR
One of Ireland's best known food writers and authors, Georgina Campbell launched the 11th edition of her indispensable hospitality guide, Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Guide - and, Associated Awards, at an event attended by the top representatives from the Irish hospitality industry.
Top County Down pub, Balloo House in Killinchy was the winner of the coveted Pub of the Year Award 2009.
Commenting on this year's winners, Georgina said; "Since the credit crunch started to bite, stiff competition is forcing many establishments to re-evaluate their offerings, to the benefit of guests: with so much choice it is the places offering something special that will thrive - all award winners here today have gone that extra mile, they are the cream of the crop, the brightest and the best, and the Guide is very proud to give them due recognition."
Ronan Sweeney, owner of Balloo House, was delighted to be given such a huge endorsement by such a respected writer; “We had always hoped to earn a strong reputation for being one of the best gastro pubs in County Down. To be considered the best in Ireland has exceeded all hopes and expectations. We have a very talented team of people working at Balloo and we plan to continue with our emphasis of serving fresh, local produce that is good value for our customers."
It has been a winning year for Balloo House with Head Chef Danny Millar attracting attention from many quarters. In June he won the regional final of the BBC2 food programme “Great British Menu” and in August Food and Wine Magazine named Danny as runner-up to their Ulster Chef of the Year award.
PUB OF THE YEAR 2009: Balloo House, Killinchy, Co Down
This famous old coaching inn enjoyed a great stroke of good fortune in
2004, when it was taken over by Ronan and Jennie Sweeney, an energetic
couple with extensive experience in the hospitality industry who were
determined to restore its reputation as one of the finest country dining
pubs in Northern Ireland - and this they have achieved with style and
confidence.
Downstairs operates as a full licensed bar daily and it is extremely busy all week; the place has oodles of genuine character and the old kitchen bar, with its flagstones and traditional range, makes a great setting for excellent bistro fare like fresh Kilkeel scampi & chips, dry-aged locally reared steaks, home-made burgers and some less usual dishes such as Finnebrogue venison shepherds pie. And - while that in itself would be enough to please the most demanding customer - above the bar they have an outstanding fine dining restaurant in a quaint and cosy converted loft. Here, head chef Danny Millar - a well known advocate of local seasonal produce - can stretch his very considerable talents in the evening.
Overall, the lovely relaxed ambience and outstanding food at very reasonable prices are a credit to all involved, and the growing reputation of this fine old inn is well earned.
For further information on Balloo House please contact:
Jennie Sweeney, Tel:02897541210
