Top local and national awards for popular Offaly pub

CHURCH St public house and music venue, John Lee's has scooped a number of major awards both locally and nationally recently.

Proprietor John Lee said he and his team were “delighted with our achievements in the awards we have received and were nominated for all our hard work since reopening in June 21 after the lockdown.”

He said manager manager Mie Farrell was over the moon with winning best hospitality manager at the Midlands 103 awards.

“All her workmates and our customers can attest she is greatly respected and a pleasure  to work with and goes beyond the call of duty with dropping customers home and checking in on them if missing for a few days to make sure they are ok,” outlined John,

He said that to win best beer garden at the same awards was a huge bonus “as we were up against some very fine establishments and all the work we did during the lockdown is standing to us now.”

“Any bar who redeveloped their outdoor space will attest to as outdoor areas helped us welcome back old customers and attract new ones.”

Another nod of approval came from the Irish Hospitality awards where Lee's were shortlisted for best local bar which also a great accolade for staff to be recognised for their friendly service.

“At the Irish pub awards organised by the Vintners Federation and L.V.A. to win best music venue in the eastern region of Ireland  was a shock and brilliant for us to get acknowledged for supporting live music as it resumed after the pandemic and thanks to the department of culture and media and supports put in place to help venues give artists a chance to play.”

John said they were lucky to have had performers such as the Hot House Flowers, Neil Delamere, CMAT, Joanne McNally, Tolu Makay and Jerry Fish play the outdoor venue along with all the local acts and DJs who keep things going all through the year.

As the only premises from Offaly at the awards it was great honour to represent the county.

“All this wouldn't be possible without our dedicated staff, our loyal customers and the musicians who bring the nights alive with the atmosphere created by live music so thanks to them,” stressed John.