Ryan's named the 'best local' in country

There were celebrations in Ryan's Bar, Navan, last week, as the premises was named Ireland's best local pub at the national Licensing World Bar Awards in Dublin. Owners Michael and Nancy Ryan and manager Damien Clarke accepted the Molson Coors Local Bar Award from Molson Coors marketing manager, Seamus Daly, in front of over 300 members of the Irish pub trade at the gala black tie event in Dublin's Four Seasons Hotel. The landmark Navan premises was chosen as Ireland's leading local pub from hundreds of bars that entered the fifth Licensing World Bar Awards. Nigel Tynan, editor of Licensing World magazine and chairman of the judging panel, commented: "This is an exceptional win for Ryan's Bar in what is a hard-fought and extremely competitive category. Ryan's Bar impressed our panel of judges through its homemade food, welcoming service and willingness to innovate and respond to the needs of its customers. This is a well-known local and I'm sure its win will be a real reason to celebrate in Navan." Ryan's Pub opened just over 10 years ago on the town's main thoroughfare, Trimgate Street, when Mick and Nancy Ryan bought the business run for generations by Bernard Reilly and his family. It has quickly become a popular hostelry, offering everything from lunches to its new first floor function rooms for events and parties. All premises that enter the Licensing World Bar Awards are visited by an expert panel of judges. Visits take place during April and May. Each entry is assessed on a lengthy series of relevant criteria, including welcome, customer service, ambience, staff training, hygiene, décor, product range and customer appeal. "The Licensing World Bar Awards are an all-Ireland awards programme dedicated to highlighting excellence within the licensed trade. Winning a Bar Award informs customers that your premises rates amongst the best bars in the country and communicates that, as a publican, you are dedicated to service, staff training, ambience, the best in food and drink and provide an excellent customer focused destination," explained Mr Tynan. The Elm Tree in Glounthaune, Co Cork, claimed the top prize at the Licensing World Bar Awards when it was named Ireland's number one pub. Ryan's took its category award over Eden House, Rathfarnham, Dublin; The Vevay Inn, Bray, Co Wicklow; Skehan's, Thurles, Co Tipperary; South County Bar & Café, Douglas, Cork, and Baker's Corner, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.