The Sisters Social bartender Mark Cooney named World Class Bartender Ireland

Mark Cooney – The Limerick bartender from The Sisters Social, pictured above, was named Diageo Reserve’s World Class Bartender Ireland.

Five of Ireland’s best bartenders battled it out at the Three Storey Dublin for a place in the Sydney global final

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ava O’Donoghue

Limerick bartender Mark Cooney from Sister Social has been named Diageo Reserve’s World Class Bartender Ireland.

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The competition’s national final took place on Monday, May 30, where five of Ireland’s bartenders battled it out at the Three Storey Dublin for a place in the global final in Sydney this September.

Mark was ultimately crowned as the winner of the competition, and will now go on to compete against 54 bartenders from across the world, showcasing his innovative approach to cocktail creation, such as his personal favourite, the Ketel Opus 1, available at The Sisters Social in Corbally.

Run by global drinks company Diageo, one of the world’s largest producers of alcohol, the World Class competition aims to inspire people to drink better and create ‘unforgettable experiences’.

The competition is a great opportunity for bartenders of all skill levels and backgrounds to test themselves, join a community of competitors and judges from around the world, and ultimately become stronger bartenders.

Mark Cooney has been a bartender for over a decade, and regularly competed in bar competitions in his native USA before moving to Ireland in recent years.

Mark is a professional oboist and has three undergraduate degrees and one master’s degree in music.  He strives to provide a unique and classical style of drinks service, someting he will continue to showcase at the global competition.

“The dust has settled, and the shock is subsiding,” commented Mark on his huge achievement.

“What an incredible experience. I am beyond humbled, delighted, surprised, and over the moon to be able to say I will represent Ireland at the Diageo Reserve’s World Class Bartender global final in Sydney, Australia. I came to Ireland two years ago in search of something, and that something has shown it’s a home I never knew I had and, a family I never knew I deserved.”

Congratulations to Mark on this impressive achievement and best of luck in Sydney! 

For more information on the Diageo Reserve’s World Class Bartender competition, go HERE

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