Top food writer John McKenna predicts big things for Galway

Galway City Tribune – One of Ireland’s top food and travel writers has predicted that Galway will be the next Copenhagen, hailing the city as the example that all other Irish visitor hotspots should follow.

John McKenna was speaking ahead of the launch of ‘Ireland The Best’, a new national guide to hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs as well as attractions and activities.

After 30 years of writing about restaurants and accommodation with his wife Sally McKenna – who self-published the influential Bridgestone Guides – the couple were approached by Harper Collins to write a definitive tome covering all aspects of the visitor experience.

John says Galway simply has it all.

“Twelve years ago, good places to eat in the city were far and few between . . . all anyone could talk about was the Galway Races and the builders’ tent and getting pissed and making a reservation for ten people, then not showing up,” he told the Galway City Tribune.

“Now it’s the European centre of gastronomy. The city more than anywhere else in Ireland has transformed itself and gives the perfect example of how to attract visitors and keep them there. It’s unique in that it has the high-end places, the cutting-edge ones the cafes, the pubs – it has ever brick in what is a very perfect wall.

“For me it’s like Copenhagen – it’s on its way to being the next Copenhagen.”

Copenhagen has become the world’s leading gastronomic destination with the “Best Restaurant in the World”, the “World’s Best Chef” and a total of 17 Michelin-stars.
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