Top accolades for Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Congreve Gardens in County Waterford is celebrating this week after receiving a McKenna's Guide Award, recognising the estate’s exceptional contribution to Irish hospitality, food, and visitor experience.

The McKenna's Guide Awards are regarded as one of the most respected accolades in Irish tourism and dining.

Speaking about the award, John McKenna said: “Every great national treasure, like Mount Congreve Gardens, deserves creative and imaginative food, which you can enjoy as part of the experience. We’re so delighted to see the beauty of the gardens joined in The Stables Café by Jean-Baptiste Dubois, creating beautiful things on the plate.” 

Chef Jean-Baptiste Dubois added: “It is a real honour to be part of a place like Mount Congreve, where the gardens, the heritage, and the food all come together. Our aim at The Stables Café is to reflect the beauty of the estate on the plate, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and creating dishes that feel both comforting and special for every visitor, and we are thrilled to receive the coveted McKenna's award, one that is deserved by all of the members of the kitchen team.” 

In addition to this recognition, Mount Congreve will feature on RTÉ Nationwide in a special programme airing in mid-March. 

The episode will showcase the restoration of the historic Gate Lodges, once derelict and now revived as boutique self-catering accommodations, offering guests a chance to stay within one of the Great Gardens of the World.

It will also explore how its 70 acres of woodland and gardens have become among Ireland’s most distinctive destinations for heritage-inspired getaways.

The Nationwide team visited Mount Congreve to capture how these historic lodges, along with the Courtyard Suite and newly installed Forest Cabins, are offering visitors the chance to stay in history while surrounded by nature.

The estate has also recently been praised by French maître d'hôtel and television personality Fred Sirieix, who visited Mount Congreve and commended the quality of the food and overall visitor experience. 

This comes alongside the addition of a 350-metre menu garden, which supplies fresh herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers directly to The Stables Café, reinforcing Mount Congreve’s commitment to sustainability and seasonal cooking.

“Mount Congreve has always been a place to escape into nature,” said Sara Dolan, CEO at Mount Congreve Gardens. 

“Now, with the lodges, suites and cabins, guests can extend that experience overnight in truly unique surroundings.”