Cork restaurants awarded Michelin star

KINSALE restaurant Bastion has been granted a prestigious Michelin star at a ceremony in London.

The restaurant, run by Helen Noonan and chef Paul McDonald, at the junction of Market Street and Main Street in the town was one of two Cork restaurants to make the Michelin Great Britain and Ireland guide for 2020.

The Michelin Guide Twitter account said: “Paul McDonald, a Scot living in Ireland, has really developed this charming restaurant with Helen over recent years and his pared-back cooking reveals his reverence for his local ingredients. All his hard work has paid off.” 

Last year, Ichigo Ichie was one of three Cork restaurants granted the award along with west Cork eateries Mews in Baltimore and Chestnut in Ballydehob. 

All three have retained their star for 2020.

Ballymaloe House held a Michelin star award between 1975 and 1980, while Arbutus Lodge had two spells with a star in the ’70s and ’80s.

The only other restaurant in Cork to have held one was Ballylickey House run by George and Christiane Graves in 1975.