JP McMahon, chef-patron of Aniar in Galway, says  that his Michelin-starred restaurant lost €80,000 last year, adding that 'half of me regrets [winning the Michelin star] and the other half of me enjoys it'.

Speaking to Hot Press, he said the restaurant, which won its Michelin star in 2013 and retained it each year since, is expected to halve its losses this year.

 He said the reasoning for keeping Aniar open was because it helps increase his profile and 'brought a lot of international recognition to Galway'.

Discussing the restaurants Michelin star, McMahon said: "I’ve lost a lot of friends through the star, and I’ve attracted a lot of good and bad press. I’ve seen an awful lot of the world that I wouldn’t have seen and I really enjoy that. It’s not something I’d ever pursue again. I’d never open up another restaurant to get a star. Getting it is a lot different from keeping it.'