MacNean House

Neven Maguire and family

Neven Maguire is one of Ireland’s best loved chefs. The restaurateur and media personality is well known for his award-winning MacNean House & Restaurant. He has published 12 cookbooks and is currently filming his 8th series of ‘Home Chef’ for RTE.

Chef Neven Maguire

Neven began cooking at 12 years of age alongside his mother, Vera, in the kitchen of the MacNean House and Restaurant (then known as the MacNean Bistro), which was originally run by his parents in Blacklion. In 1992, he studied catering in Fermanagh College, Enniskillen, and won the prestigious Student of the Year Award. Even then his vision was clear – to share his passion for good food with diners who appreciated quality, imagination and the best of Irish produce.

While in his 20s, Neven was named Eurotoques ‘Young Chef of the Year 1999’, won numerous ‘Chef of the Year Awards’ and represented Ireland in the ‘Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition’ in Lyon, France. Later that same year, he was presented with a special Gold Medal Award by Charles, Prince of Wales, in London’s House of Commons for high achievement in his career. He has been winning awards ever since and was most recently inducted into prestigious Food & Wine Magazine Awards 2015 ‘Hall of Fame’ for his years of commitment and dedication to the Irish food industry.

Having been trained and then tutored in professional cooking, Neven went on to work at some of the world’s top restaurants including Arzac, San Sebastian, Spain (3 Michelin Stars) and Restaurant Léa Linster, Luxembourg (2 Michelin Stars). He took over as Head Chef/Owner of MacNean House & Restaurant in 2001, in the small rural village of Blacklion, creating one of the country’s most popular dining destinations.

Neven Maguire Townhouse and Restaurant

Since Neven and Amelda took over the family business in 2001, the Michelin-listed MacNean House & Restaurant has been consistently winning awards for its food, service, wine offer and overall dining experience.

Diners can relax, unwind and enjoy a drink at the restaurant’s luxurious bar before entering the dining room. The MacNean Dinner Menu, changed regularly by Neven to include the varying array of seasonal produce, always features a core of customer favourites. The Prestige Tasting Menu is a gastronomic treat and can be enjoyed with wines chosen either by Neven or by the guests themselves. The MacNean menu always features several vegetarian choices and all dietary needs can be catered for.

The restaurant’s sommelier, Blaithin McCabe, will ensure only the best wines are on offer to suit your dining choices and palette.