Countryside Alliance Awards Live At The Titanic Centre

Countryside Alliance Awards 2025 – Northern Ireland Finals will be live!

The cream of rural businesses from across Northern Ireland have been shortlisted for prestigious Countryside Alliance Awards. Thousands of public nominations have been pared down to a final twenty-six.

Loyal customers and patrons can now take part in axa0public votexa0to support their favourites. The champions will then be announced in Belfast at The Bridge, Titanic Belfast on 1^stxa0April.

The successful businesses will then go forward to the next round, competing against winners from across the country in the grand final. National winners will be announced 18^th June 2023, at the House of Lords.

The businesses are judged on a range of criteria, including their passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local produce, and the energy and diversity of their business.

The ‘Rural Oscars’ are now in their 17^th year, and are a vital way of celebrating rural businesses that go the extra mile and support their local economy.

Duffy’s Shop in KIllough has been shortlisted in the Best Village Shop category.

Being nominated for the Countryside Alliance Awards can have a real impact on rural businesses. The businesses which go on to become finalists or champions will receive regional and national recognition, strengthening the reputation of their brand.

There are five categories: ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’.

It’s now up to you to cast your vote for your favourite rural businesses – you can do this here.

You can vote for one business in each category, and in as few or as many of the categories as you would like.  

Countryside Alliance Northern Ireland Director Gary McCartney said: “Yet again, we have been taken aback by the volume of nominations this year. So many wonderful businesses have been sent in by the public.

“Every business has an important story to tell – it’s so important that they are recognised.

“The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses, and not just their produce or services. At this critical time for so many rural businesses, it is vital we all show our support in whatever way we can.

“Everyone is encouraged to get voting. When you have voted, please share the link with friends and families.”

The link to the public vote can be foundxa0here.

The shortlisted businesses by category are as follows:

Butcher

• Marquess Meats, Muckamore
• McMasters Butchers, Whitehead
• O’Dohertys, Enniskillen
• O’Kanes Meats, Claudy

Local Food / Drink

• Balleyboley Dexters, Carrowdore
• Maegden, Bushmills
• Sintons at the Bridge, Scarva
• The Dairy, Glenoe
• The Sweet Life by Lauren, Armagh
• Wine and Brine Restaurant, Moira

Pub

• Friels, Swatragh
• Head O the Road, Portadown
• Johnny Joe’s McCollam’s Bar, Cushendall
• The Happy Landing, Eglinton
• Tomney’s Bar, Moy

Rural Enterprise

• Ballee Pharmacy, Ballymena
• Causeway Coastie Food Tour, Coleraine
• Ellie Mo’s Coffee Shop, Portadown
• Garden Fresh & Lily’s Flowers, Tandragee
• Nora’s Coffee Shop, Irvinestown

Village Shop / Post Office

• Centra, Donaghmore
• Duffy Thomas & Sons Ltd, Killough
• Eurospar, Maghaberry
• Spar, Tobermore
• The Village Store, Loughall