Martin Breen, editor, Sunday Life pictured with Margaret Ferguson from The Lakeside Inn, Ballydugan, Co. Down (centre) and Maggie McGaughey from The Front Page, Ballymena (right), joint winners of the Best Barperson Award in association with The Sunday Life at Pubs of Ulster's Pub of the Year Awards 2013.

Margaret Ferguson of The Lakeside Inn in Ballydugan, Co. Down is the toast of the town after being crowned joint winner of Northern Ireland’s Best Barperson (in association with The Sunday Life) at Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2013, which were held in the four star La Mon Hotel recently.

In a first for the Pub of the Year Awards, the judges were so impressed with two of the finalists in the Best Barperson category that despite written nominations through The Sunday Life newspaper, a mystery shop of their premises and a subsequent interview, they were forced to choose a joint winner.

Margaret will share the prestigious title of Best Barperson (in association with The Sunday Life) with Maggie McGaughey who works at the Front Page Bar in Ballymena.

Commenting on the historic win, the judges said:

“It came down to two people and we could not choose one over the other as the winner. So we are awarding two exceptional people who are really deserving of this award. Huge Congratulations to Margaret Ferguson from The Lakeside Inn, Ballydugan and Maggie McGaughey, Front Page Bar in Ballymena.”

In addition to Margaret’s win on the night, the bar was also shortlisted for the Charity Initiative of the Year Award, in recognition of the excellent charity work they carry out.

The Pub of the Year Gala Awards 2013 marked the end of an extensive search for the best pubs in a range of categories across Northern Ireland.

The pubs went through a rigorous judging process by the Pub of the Year Awards’ independent judging panel and were visited by mystery shoppers to ensure they adhere to best industry standards. The winners in eight Award categories: Best Barperson (in partnership with the Sunday Life); Best Entertainment; Best Food; Best New or Improved; Best Marketing Initiative; Best Charity Initiative; Best Big Idea and the ultimate award - Pub of the Year 2013 were revealed at the Pub of the Year gala Awards which was hosted by Apprentice star, Jim Eastwood.

For further information, visit www.nipuboftheyear.com