Ten County Clare based seafood establishments have been awarded membership of the highly regarded Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board Seafood Circle programme.BIM/Irish Sea Fisheries Board, the State agency with responsibility for the Irish fishing and aquaculture industry, developed the Seafood Circle initiative to support and encourage restaurateurs and retailers that consistently deliver the highest standards of seafood and service to their customers. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D, said that the high number of Clare based establishments that had achieved membership of the Seafood Circle came as no surprise.
He explained, “Clare is well renowned for providing some of the best quality seafood from well-established suppliers such the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, The Strand Seafood restaurant in Kilkee, Rene Cusack fishmongers in Ennis, Murphy Black’s Restaurant in Kilkee, Morrissey’s Seafood Bar and Grill in Doonbeg, Barrtra Seafood Restaurant in Lahinch, Vaughan’s Anchor Inn Bar and Restaurant in Liscannor and Cullinan’s Seafood Restaurant in Doolin.”
The new Clare members are Naughton’s Bar in Kilkee and Vaughan Lodge in Lahinch. In selecting members for the hospitality category, BIM works with well-known food writer Georgina Campbell and her team who conduct independent, consumer focused assessments in order to select the best seafood establishments around the country. “The inclusion of two new establishments to the Seafood Circle programme, along with all those who have met the standards and retained their membership again this year, demonstrates their dedication to unwaveringly high standards of quality and service,” added Minister Killeen.
He continued, “It is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the members that we can, as a county, deliver such high standards in seafood. As an island nation, we should be including more seafood in our diet and the BIM Seafood Circle programme is another way to make it easier for consumers to choose the best seafood restaurants, bars, retailers and fishmongers in Clare and around the country.”
BIM has awarded 23 new members in 2009 bringing the total number of restaurants, pubs and seafood retailers awarded membership to 155.
IMAGE: Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D, presenting the 2009 Seafood Circle plaque to Paul Cusack of Rene Cusack’s fishmongers in Ennis
