Percy's award winning personality

Some of the finest pubs representing the Eastern Region are celebrating following their success at the 2018 Irish Pub Awards Regional Finals, which took place in Lock 13, Sallins in Kildare on September 19.

Percy Clendennen of Giltraps Pub in Kinnitty took home the regional award for Pub Personality of the Year sponsored by Irish Distillers, Pernod Ricard.

Giltraps was one of nine winners across a multitude of categories who will all now go forward to the final of the National Pub Awards at the RDS Concert Hall in Dublin 4 on Wednesday, November 21 when the National Category Winners and the overall Irish Pub of the Year will be announced.

“Entries for this year have grown and are well ahead of last year. Judging took place over the summer months and tonight we are announcing our regional winners here in Ireland East. The winners will go forward to represent Ireland East in the National Final to be held in November,” President of Vintner’s Federation of Ireland (VFI), Padraic McCann said on the night.

The awards were developed as part of our strategy to raise the profile of VFI member pubs around the country. The Irish Pub is at the heart of every town and village and it is where locals gather to meet friends and neighbours for good food and craic. It is also where tourists meet locals and enjoy Irish hospitality at its best along with being a major employment provider in our regions. These awards are an excellent vehicle to showcase what the pub has to offer the modern customer,” Mr McCann added.