John and Jackie O’Connell’s Valley Inn restaurant at Mullary just over 10kms north of Drogheda, is in the running for a prestigious ‘Yes Chef’ Award in the Local Restaurant category.

Drogheda man Shane Smith started Yes Chef magazine, “The Magazine for Lovers of Good Food” in 2007 and the national Yes Chef awards came along shortly after.

On a trip home to Drogheda recently, Shane and his wife Nicci stopped off in the Valley Inn for dinner and were ‘blown away’ by the quality of the food and the excellent service they received.

“One of the greatest signs when we visit any restaurant is when chef has become part of the furniture after cooking in his kitchen for 11 years” Shane said.

“It’s a simple menu, John is not in the business of hunting Michelin stars but just serving good honest food, and at a price that shocked me. Value for money backed up by a super friendly team at The Valley Inn, Mullary.

“I checked and double checked the bill because I thought someone had forgotten one or more items, nope all included. Six dinners, steaks, specials, starters and mains for all and three (maybe four) bottles of vino!

“I started with the chicken wings in hot sauce, very well cooked, meaty and the sauce was superb. Nicci had the Goat’s Cheese tartlet with roasted veg and beetroot salad. Both dishes were hearty and leaving just about enough room to consider the main!

“I went for the sizzling beef and opted for chips as an accompanying side, Nicci decided on the special of roasted monkfish with baby potatoes and a prawn sauce.

“The place astounded us because of how busy it was, Drogheda is 11k one way and Dunleer maybe 4-5 in the other direction. Not a seat to be had and I’m well informed that this is constant, right through December, January, February and things don’t look likely to change.

“This restaurant is a place where anyone could afford to pop out, have a drink, feed the family and not break the bank!”

“The amount of covers they manage weekly is testament to the consistency of their food and service and the staff are just amazing!”

Valley Inn proprietor John O’Connell told Drogheda Life that he was delighted with the news of the award and glad that the hard work put in by himself and and Jackie and their staff of 41 people, 32 of them fulltime, was being recognised.

Asked what he put the success of the business down to, John told Drogheda Life that it was having the right staff and also knowing his customers most of whom are living on the locality.

This community awareness came to the fore during the Covid19 pandemic - when many other restaurants were struggling to survive, the Valley Inn actually increased business by installing outdoor eating areas and marquees in front of and behind the restaurant.

Thet also organised, along with Garda Superintendent Andrew Watters to deliver meals free of charge in Garda cars to elderly people living in remote areas.