2022 Finalists

This year Tourism NI received a record number of entries with over 250 applications across eight different categories. We would like to thank you all for taking the time to enter the awards this year.

Following the judging process, the shortlist has now been announced for the newly launched annual awards programme aimed at showcasing and rewarding best in class in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The 2022 event will recognise and celebrate the resilience and spirit of the industry in facing the challenges of the last two years as well as those who exemplified the values of the destination, innovated and built competitiveness.

Hosted by Pete Snodden, the Awards Gala Dinner and presentation will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Slieve Donard Resort, Newcastle on Thursday 6th October 2022.

Please see shortlisted finalists listed under each category below –

Accommodation Categories

Best Hotel

Shortlisted Entries:

  • Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel, Derry~Londonderry
  • Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry~ Londonderry
  • Clayton Hotel, Belfast
  • Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh
  • The Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint, Co. Down

Best B&B / Guest House

Shortlisted Entries:

  • Blackrock House Luxury B&B, Portrush, Co. Antrim
  • Brook Lodge Guesthouse, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry
  • Kiltariff Hall Country House, Rathfriland, Co. Down

Best Self-Catering

Shortlisted Entries: (Medium / Large)

  • Dunamoy Cottages and Spa, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim
  • Larchfield Estate, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Shortlisted Entries: (Small / Micro)

  • Aurora North Coast, Bushmills, Co. Antrim
  • Coastguard Boat House, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim
  • Keenaghan Cottage, Belleek, Co. Fermanagh
  • Quarry Hill Church, Strangford, Co. Down

Experience Categories

NI’s Best Tourism Experience

Shortlisted Entries: (Medium / Large)

  • Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry
  • Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch, Co. Down
  • Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, Co. Down
  • National Museums NI – Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
  • The Spa at Galgorm, Galgorm, Co. Antrim
  • Titanic Belfast, Belfast

Shortlisted Entries: (Small / Micro)

  • Bakehouse, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry
  • Carlingford Lough Ferry, Greencastle, Co. Down
  • Castle Archdale Boat Hire and Water Sports, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh
  • Cranfield Alpacas, Kilkeel, , Co. Down
  • Lough Neagh Artisans, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry
  • Portrush Surf School, Portrush, Co. Antrim

NI Best Food and Drink Experience

Shortlisted Entries: (Medium / Large)

  • Fish City, Belfast
  • Friels Bar & Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry
  • Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch, Co. Down
  • Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh

Shortlisted Entries: (Small / Micro)

  • NearyNógs Stone Ground Chocolate, Kilkeel, Co. Down
  • NI Food Tours Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, Killinchy, Co. Down
  • Taste and Tour, Belfast
  • The Chocolate Manor, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry
  • Walled City Brewery, Derry~Londonderry

Innovation

NI’s Most Innovative Business (Open to All)

Shortlisted Entries: (Medium / Large)

  • Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry
  • Further Space, Northern Ireland wide – multiple locations
  • Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh
  • Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry
  • Visit Derry, Derry~Londonderry

Shortlisted Entries: (Micro / Small)

  • Banana Block, Urban Scale Interventions (USI), Belfast
  • Castle Archdale Boat Hire and Water Sports, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh
  • NearyNógs Stone Ground Chocolate, Kilkeel, Co. Down
  • Paul Cunningham Mourne Larder, Co. Down
  • The Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down
  • Tumble Circus, Belfast

Individual

NI’s Most Promising Student

This is a new category – open to any tourism or hospitality business with an individual on student placement or work experience undertaken through further/higher education establishments. This will be a joint award presented to the winning student and employer.

 

Shortlisted Nominees:

  • Hastings Hotels – Marisa King
  • The Bakery by Yellow Door – Emma Jayne McCartney
  • Titanic Hotel – Jordan Sloan

Local Spirit Award

This category is designed for an individual tourism and hospitality professional in Northern Ireland. Entries are both self-nominated or nominated by Industry, Stakeholders and Councils.

 

2022 Shortlisted Finalists –

  • Jamese McCloy – Mid Ulster Cluster Group
  • Jamie Hamill – Coleraine BID
  • Mary McGee – Mid Ulster District Council
  • Mick Boyle – Killeavy Castle Estate