The Blue Book now sponsors the Emerging Writer Award

We are delighted to welcome Ireland's Blue Book to the 2026 Irish Food Writing Awards as sponsor of our Emerging Food and Drink Writer Award. This award is judged by British food writer Charlotte Pike MBE, and the winner will be announced at our awards ceremony in Dublin on October 22nd.

Ireland’s Blue Book is a collection of exceptional Irish hotels and restaurants, including some of Ireland’s most celebrated five-star properties: the Merrion Hotel, The Park Hotel Kenmare, Glenlo Abbey in Co. Galway, Mount Juliet Estate in Co. Kilkenny, Cashel Palace in Co. Tipperary, Ballyfin Demesne in Co. Laois, Dunluce Lodge in Co. Antrim and Cliffhouse Hotel in Co. Waterford.

Beyond exceptional accommodation, guests enjoy a diverse range of experiences from golf, fishing, spa treatments and cookery schools to horse riding, local tours and outstanding Irish food and drink.

Michelle Maguire, CEO of Ireland's Blue Book, said “Since it was established in 1974, Ireland's Blue Book has come to represent a quality mark for independent Irish hospitality. Offering a curated collection of over 60 of Ireland’s finest country house hotels, Georgian manor houses, stately castles, luxury boutique hotels, designer lodges and restaurants, representing the very best of hospitality, accommodation and cuisine.”

Irish Food Writing Awards founder Suzanne Campbell said, “The ethos of The Blue Book is celebrating individuality, heritage and outstanding Irish food and drink. Exactly the qualities that make good writing stand out from the crowd. It is so important that the next generation of food writers are encouraged and celebrated, and we’re delighted that with the support of The Blue Book, the Irish Food Writing Awards can continue to do so."

The 2026 Irish Food Writing Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 22nd October at the O’Reilly Hall in UCD, South County Dublin. This is the sixth year of the awards, established to acknowledge the highest achievements in books, journalism, restaurant critiques, feature writing, recipe writing, photography, podcasts and social media on Irish food and drink. Uniquely, the awards are judged only by the most prestigious UK and International media, ensuring impartiality. 

After a record level of interest, the closing date for entries has now passed.

Pictured are

@carrigcountryhouse

@themustardseed

@chapteronebymickaelviljanen

@cashelpalace

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