
Galway restaurant wins big at the 2025 Deliveroo Awards with best burger accolade
The Dominick Street Upper spot was the only restaurant in Republic of Ireland outside of Dublin to take home an award, in the most hotly contested category.
Speaking about their win, Orla and Fraser Scott from Smashbird said: "We can't believe it — we actually did it! The team here at Smashbird Galway are absolutely buzzing to have won Deliveroo's award for Best Burgers & American in Ireland!'
'Huge love and thanks to every legend who voted for us — your support means the world. We're proud to be reppin' Galway with our award-winning burgers, and we can't wait to keep smashing it for years to come!"
First launched in 2018, Deliveroo's Restaurant Awards 'celebrate and recognise the very best and most-loved restaurants across the country'.
'This year saw a total of 65 awards up for grabs, with hundreds of thousands of votes cast by hungry Irish fans keen to show support for their favourite local restaurants,' Deliveroo said.
Out of 65 categories, Irish restaurants took home 12 awards – ranging from Galway's big win all the way to the Ireland and UK Environmentally Sustainable award (taken home by BuJi in Dublin).
Helen Maher, the Regional Director of Deliveroo Ireland, said: 'Congratulations to all the winning restaurants recognised as the best local favourites across Ireland. A heartfelt thank you to Deliveroo's loyal customers, whose overwhelming support helped shine a spotlight on their top picks.'
'This year's winners and nominees represent some of the finest culinary talent we've ever seen. At Deliveroo, we're proud to partner with such exceptional restaurants to create more meaningful and memorable moments for our customers.'
SEED - a restaurant from Belfast - narrowly missed out on Deliveroo's most coveted award - Independent Restaurant of the Year UK and Ireland 2025.
The restaurant took part in a cook-off at Deliveroo Editions in London in a bid to win the top prize, however, the accolade was eventually won by CRUNCH from London.
Deliveroo's CEO and founder, Will Shu, said he is blown away very year by the talent on show across Deliveroo.
"Every year, the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards celebrate the exceptional culinary talent we have on Deliveroo and once again we've been truly blown away by the passion and innovation on display,' he said.
'From the highly contested Independent Restaurant of the Year cook-off won by CRUNCH in London, to the impressive journey of Rising Star Enrico at Ad Maiora from Manchester, and the love for our Luke Littler x Deliveroo Best Kebab winner, Sqew Kebabs in Leeds.
'A huge congratulations to all our deserving winners across the UK and Ireland – you play a huge role in helping to make everyday moments better for our customers."
Galway's Smashbird offers a wide selection of burgers, both meat-based and vegan, with other menu items including corndogs, loaded fries, and chicken wings.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Journal
18 minutes ago
- The Journal
Former senior Trump official says special relationship with Ireland won't stop president's trade war
Mairead Maguire IRELAND WILL LIKELY become collateral damage in Donald Trump's efforts to put America first – but it's nothing personal. That's according to Mick Mulvaney, a former Republican congressman who was Trump's acting chief of staff in his first term and who has a unique insight into how the president operates. He spoke to The Journal at the Global Economic Summit in Killarney, where tariffs and trade were headline issues. Trump, Mulvaney says, wants to make deals where everyone wins. But if that's not possible, he'll make sure America wins, even at the cost of special relationships. 'His first interest is to take care of Americans. It's not to say, 'You know what, I hate Ireland. Let's just stick it to them'. That's not how this works. 'Why are American businesses doing business in Ireland when they could be doing it in the United States? That's the perspective.' Mulvaney said, however, that there is a real connection with Ireland. 'It's familial, it's cultural. 'The Irish are so naturally good at diplomacy. It is one of your competitive advantages in the world marketplace. I don't understand why it's been struggling the last two years.' Mulvaney says 'dramatic missteps' made by the Irish government – particularly in relation to Palestine – have caused a 'blip' in the strong relationship. He said he understands the parallels between Ireland and Palestine, and the government's decision to join Spain and Norway in recognising it as a state, but he claims Washington was blindsided by it. 'What I don't understand is why nobody called us beforehand. Friends don't do that to each other. 'I found out about it in the press. I understand that my government found out about it in the press.' Then-Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced his intention for Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine weeks in advance, after months of discussions. The government is set to green light the Occupied Territories Bill – another move expected to ruffle Republican feathers. Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been revising the bill, making substantial amendments to the original text in order to bring it in line with the constitution and reduce the risk of a clash with EU law. As a result, the bill is expected to only cover goods and not services, such as products from online tech companies. Advertisement Even in its revised, stripped-back version, Mulvaney says the bill is unlikely to be well received in Washington. 'If you're pro-Palestinian, to half of my country you have to explain why that's not antisemitic.' On the trade war with Europe, Mulvaney's reading of the situation is that Republicans don't see the bloc as a viable ally in the long run. This, he says, is partly because the priorities for many younger European voters, such as climate change, conflict with Washington's priorities. Trump this week paused his threatened 50% tariffs on the European Union until 9 July, postponing them from the original 1 June deadline he had initially given. 'A weird time' Mulvaney quit his role in the White House after the Capitol riots of 6 January 2021. He was a Republican congressman in the House of Representatives before becoming director of the Office of Management and Budget and then acting chief of staff for Trump. He also sought out the role of Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, as he's 'been coming here for 20 years'. His ancestors are from Mayo. Mulvaney now regularly appears in American and international media as a commentator on politics and economics. He says it's a 'weird time' for his country, as significant figures in both the Republican and Democratic parties are aging. Joe Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race last year, recently announced a cancer diagnosis. As for Trump, the constitution prevents him for running for a third term. Mulvaney believes the 2028 presidential race will be of particular importance. 'It will represent generational change in both parties, and that will be fascinating to see.' Both parties, he says, have a good lineup of potential candidates. His ones to watch? Within the Democratic Party: Senator Cory Booker, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Among Republicans, he tips current vice president JD Vance to run. Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are also ones to watch. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Thousands of companies must publish gender pay gap in their organisations
The landscape of gender pay gap reporting in Ireland undergoes a significant transformation, with new obligations on companies beginning this week. Larger organisations in Ireland have been reporting their gender pay gaps (GPG) since 2022. Thousands of additional organisations - those with 50 or more employees - are now required to publish their GPG data for the first time. With the EU Pay Transparency Directive due to be transposed into Irish Law in June 2026, gender pay gap reporting is the first step in supporting organisations on the journey to pay parity and equitable pay practice. For Irish businesses, leveraging gender pay gap reporting can be a powerful opportunity to drive long-term organisational success. Strategic thinking can support employee retention when we need to optimise the current workforce to drive performance, and to promote a strong employer brand to attract the talent to meet strategic workforce planning needs. The Imperative of Getting it Right For the newly in-scope organisations, the initial focus will naturally be on ensuring accurate data collection and calculation. This can be complex, involving meticulous attention to definitions of "pay" and "hours worked," and careful categorisation of employees across pay quartiles. The pitfalls of getting it wrong are significant: Reputational Damage: In today's transparent world, a poorly presented or inaccurate report can severely damage your employer brand. Publicly available data means scrutiny from current and prospective employees, clients/customers, and even investors. A perception of pay inequality can quickly erode trust and make it harder to attract top talent. Talented individuals, particularly women, may look to organisations that demonstrate a genuine commitment to equity. Internal Discontent: Employees are increasingly aware of pay transparency. If your report highlights significant gaps without a clear, credible explanation and actionable plan, it can lead to demotivation, decreased morale, and increased staff turnover. There is a heightened risk of increased internal complaints around pay and bonus comparisons, how salary bands are graded, why colleagues in similar roles are paid more/less and referrals for equal pay and discrimination claims. Legal Scrutiny: While direct financial penalties for non-compliance are not yet in place in Ireland, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the Circuit Court and the High Court can order an employer to take specific action to comply with the legislation. Irish data suggests average GPG was 12.6% in 2022 reducing to 11.2% in 2023. With the upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive, organisations with an unexplained GPG of greater than 5% will have to engage in joint pay assessments where employers must justify the detailed rationale of their pay structures. Leveraging Strategic Opportunities The process of gender pay gap reporting forces organisations to scrutinise their talent management strategies, fostering genuine strategic thinking. Why are women concentrated in lower-paid roles? Are there sufficient pathways for career progression for female employees? Are unconscious biases at play in your recruitment or promotion processes? Are men taking family related leave? These are critical questions that, when addressed, can lead to fundamental improvements in your talent management strategies. Proactively identifying and addressing gender pay gaps demonstrate a strong employer brand with a tangible commitment to equality. This resonates deeply with employees, who are increasingly valuing workplaces that align with their personal values. When employees feel equitably compensated, they are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay with your organisation. This reduces recruitment costs and preserves invaluable institutional knowledge. This is significant in the context of Adare's HR Barometer survey which reported anticipated turnover in 2025 at 12.2% and an average cost of €10,125 per employee. In a competitive market for talent, being known as an organisation that champions equality and fairness is a powerful differentiator. It makes you more attractive to a diverse pool of candidates leading to a more innovative and representative workforce, crucial for navigating complex business challenges and fostering growth. Furthermore, for organisations engaging in tenders or seeking investment, a strong GPG report can be a compelling testament to your commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. Looking Ahead: From Snapshot to Solution The June snapshot is just that - a snapshot. The real work begins after the numbers are published. Organisations must not only explain their gaps but also articulate clear, measurable actions they intend to take to reduce them. This might involve reviewing policies, enhancing leadership development programmes for women, supporting women to actively engage in the workforce during menopause, implementing flexible working solutions, or tackling unconscious bias through comprehensive training. Gender pay gap reporting is not just a compliance requirement; it is a strategic opportunity for organisations to enhance their talent management strategies, build a strong employer brand, improve employee engagement and retention, foster a diverse and inclusive workplace, and prepare for future regulations. By embracing transparency and taking proactive steps to address the gender pay gap, organisations can unlock significant benefits and drive long-term success. The time to act is now.

The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Three-quarters of Irish universities fall in global rankings - but TCD still best in the country
THREE-QUARTERS OF Irish universities have fallen in global rankings, but Trinity College Dublin is still rated the best in the country. The rankings are based on quality of education, employability, quality of faculty, and research. Ireland's overall slip in the Global 2000, which is released today, is mainly due to research performance amid intensified global competition from well-funded institutions, the Centre for World University Rankings said. University College Dublin (UCD) is the only Irish university that ranked higher on the list than it did last year. Here's how they're all faring: Trinity College Dublin – 259th (250th in 2024) University College Dublin – 299th (301st last year) University College Cork – 545th (542nd) University of Galway – 707th (668th) University of Limerick – 926th (925th) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – 1013rd (no change) Dublin City University – 1151st (1134th) Maynooth University – 1323rd (1287th) Advertisement Harvard is the top university in the world for the fourteenth year in a row. However, other US institutions have declined in some areas amid slashed government funding and disputes over academic freedom and free speech. In the top ten, Harvard is followed by two other private US institutions, MIT and Stanford. The UK's Cambridge and Oxford are the world's highest-rated public universities, coming fourth and fifth. The rest of the global top ten are also private American universities: Princeton, Pennsylvania, Columbia, Yale, and Chicago. For the first time, China has surpassed the US as the country with the most universities in the Global 2000. While Oxford and Cambridge maintain their high rankings, the overall outlook for Britain is unfavourable, as 75% of universities have fallen down the list. The top ten universities in Europe this year are: Cambridge (UK, 4th), Oxford (UK, 5th), PSL (France, 19th), UCL (UK, 20th), Imperial College London (UK, 28th), Paris City University (France, 29th), ETH Zurich (Switzerland, 32nd), Paris Saclay (France, 34th), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (France, 35th), and Copenhagen (Denmark, 38th). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal