Kinsale woman highlighted at Michelin awards
A Kinsale restaurant owner was one of the stars of the latest annual Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2026 awards.
The event was held in Ireland for the first time last night at the Convention Centre in Dublin where Barbara Nealon from Saint Francis Provisions was recognised as one of five special award winners.
This year, in addition to the new stars and bib gourmands, five special awards were presented to exceptional individuals and teams who particularly impressed the Michelin Guide’s inspectors over the past year.
Barbara Nealon, owner and general manager of the “charming” Saint Francis Provisions, was awarded the Michelin Service Award for “personifying Ireland’s famously warm hospitality”. “Barbara Nealon has helped make her restaurant into a jewel of the county Cork dining scene. Her relaxed, personal approach to service puts her guests at ease whilst ensuring everything runs as efficiently as possible,” the citation read.
“This is a restaurant where you can feel the love poured into it – the kind of place that puts a smile on your face and has you planning your return.”
The awards span across Great Britain & Ireland, with Dublin having had a strong year with both a new Michelin star restaurant and three new bib gourmands. In the Republic of Ireland, two restaurants have been newly awarded one Michelin star.
In Dublin, Forest Avenue has been promoted to star level. More excellent Irish produce is on show at The Pullman in Galway, where Angelo Vagiotis’ cooking is served in the sumptuous setting of two original Orient Express train carriages."
Angelo Vagiotis is a former chef de cuisine in Terre in Castlemartyr, which retained its two stars. Bastion in Kinsale also retained its star while dede in Baltimore also retained its two stars.
Bib gourmands were retained by Saint Francis Provisions and Goldie and Ichigo Ichie Bistro & Natural Wine in Cork city marking another very successful edition for Cork.
International director of the Michelin Guides, Gwendal Poullennec said the 2026 selection reflected the resilience of the hospitality sector. “I am delighted that this has been yet another excellent year for our Great Britain & Ireland Guide,” he said.
“In a year filled with challenges and turbulence in the industry, chefs and restaurateurs have once again shown their admirable resilience and innovation.”
The Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2026 features 1,210 recommended restaurants in total, including 192 with one Michelin star.