News

Saba to Go is Top Take-Away

Saba to Go in Rathmines, Dublin, has been named Ireland’s favourite takeaway in the sixth annual Just Eat National Takeaway Awards. saba

Camile Thai in Greystones, in Co Wicklow, won one of several new categories at the awards, for best vegan takeaway. Camile Thai in Phibsborough, in north Dublin, won the sustainability category..

Best breakfast takeaway was won by McDonald’s in Swords, in north Co Dublin.

More than 17,000 people have voted in the awards.

Winners of of Just Eat National Takeaway Awards were:

Blackwater Blueway Plan

Plans for the development of a 'Blueway' along the River Blackwater are to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála by the summer.

The first phase of the project, which is being developed by Cork County Council, will focus on developing a launch area for boats/kayaks close to Mallow bridge.

Mary Hayes, the council's senior executive officer for the North Cork region, said that in the first phase, the local authority will look at developing a short journey route from Mallow to Killavullen and then a looped route around Fermoy.

Belfast restaurant fire

Police in the North are investigating an overnight blaze at a restaurant in south Belfast.

Firefighters tackled the fire at the Blaze & Glaze restaurant on University Road.

A PSNI spokesman said the incident is being treated as a “deliberate ignition”.

An appeal for witnesses and information has been issued.

Irish Distilleries top 1m Visitors

Visitors to Irish whiskey distilleries exceeded 1 million for the first time last year. distillery1019

According to the Irish Whiskey Association, there was a 10.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers last year, from 923,000 to 1.02 million. Distilleries have seen a 54 per cent rise in visitor numbers over the past four years from just 653,00 in 2015.

Tourists from North America accounted for 34 per cent of all visitors last year, followed by Ireland, Britain, Germany and France.

While the number of visitors from North America and Britain slipped last year, this was partly offset by a rise in visitors from Australia, Italy, and the Benelux and Nordic countries.

There are 17 visitor centres in operation currently with a number of new ones set to open this year, the Irish Whiskey Association said.

Dublin traffic boosts Aircoach

The growth of Dublin Airport and the increase in city-based events in Dublin were key to the increase to €30.2 million in revenue at private bus operator Aircoach last year, accordin aircoach0120

g to its directors.

Accounts for Last Passive Ltd show an increase in revenue to €30.2 million from €29.8 million and pre-tax profits of €4.719 million in the 12 months to the end of March 30th last.

Numbers employed at the company increased from 200 to 216 as staff costs went up from €8.8 million to €9 million due to need for additional drivers.

Aircoach’s services connect Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre, Belfast and Cork.