Six Dublin restaurants have retained their Michelin Stars in the 2009 edition of the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
Michelin confirmed the star winners today after details of the list were leaked on the Internet, five days ahead of its planned release.
Last year's new entrants with one star on the list - Mint in Ranelagh and Bon Appetit in Malahide - keep their ratings along with three other Dublin restaurants - Chapter One, L'Ecrivain and Thornton's.
The Patrick Guilbaud restaurant, also in Dublin, retains its two star status and is the only Irish restaurant to be awarded more than one star
The early publication of the list is an embarrassment for Michelin which carefully guards the contents of the guide.
Great Britain & Ireland 2009is published by Michelin and will be available in bookshops from Jan. 23
