From Westport to Waterford, dining out in Ireland over the summer holidays is a treat for all the family …
The Terrace at Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara, Co Galway
Tucked into a bend on its own river, framed by acres of woodland and gardens, Ballynahinch Castle offers one of Ireland’s most beautiful settings – now with the added bonus of a newly refurbished Terrace to enjoy the vista. Designed for leisurely afternoons, a retractable roof protects from the Irish inclement weather, yet is open to the fresh Connemara air. Enjoy a special menu by head chef Danni Barry with elegant dishes made for relaxed dining. There are oysters and caviar, seafood platters, lobster rolls, prawn cocktails, carpaccio, spagitela and summer salads with flair. @ballynahinchcastle
Savoir Fare, Westport, Co Mayo
This daytime wine bar, bistro and deli seres up some of the best food in the country with charming Gallic flair. The paté en croute changes daily and the recent addition of courgette flower filled with Achill Island spider crab, with a lemon and herb cream on a bed of garden pea hummus, is the dish of dreams. The selection of Irish cheeses is suitably comprehensive and served with delicious house-made baguette. Adding a glass (or two) of wine is highly recommended. @savoir_fare
Courtesy of The Irish Times.
Island Cottage, Heir Island, Skibbereen, Co Cork
A rustic cookery school and restaurant, John Desmond (a former chef at the Ritz in Paris) and Ellmary Fenton (who worked for many years in the hospitality industry, much of it in France) have run Island Cottage since 1989. While boating to lunch feels more Corfu than Cork, there’s something so romantic about ferrying to a remote island for lunch. The coastal West Cork location only adds to the drama. An adults-only, no-choice menu, set lunch costs just €25 (plus optional wine and ferry fare from Cunnamore Pier), meaning a trip to Heir Island should be on your bucket list. Lunch is served from mid-June to mid-September, and bookings are only possible by phone, which makes the experience feel even more exclusive.
Olde Glen Bar, Carrigart, Donegal
It would be difficult to find a more atmospheric pub in Ireland than the Olde Glen. Dating from the 1700s, it’s a modest dwelling that reveals a charming traditional interior, popular with both locals and those making the pilgrimage to sample the menu at the Michelin-recommended restaurant. Head chef Ciaran Sweeney and his team hand-pick the best quality, locally sourced seasonal produce, and it shows. For a lighter bite, try Bia Box at the back of the bar for toasties, salad boxes and quiche. Clara’s Cots offers five rooms for those who want to extend their evening into a sleepover. @oldeglenbar
And Chips, Dungarvan, Co Waterford
Holidays were made for fresh fish and chips by the beach. And Chips is home to one of the most rewarding food experiences in my opinion – a proper chip shop where seafood is taken seriously and served with aplomb. The fish is perfectly flaky, the chips are golden and crunchy, and the sauces (béarnaise mayo, tartare and garlic aioli) are all made in-house. There are falafel flatbreads for vegetarians, and the toughest decision you’ll face is whether to go for a creamy milkshake or a glass of crisp white wine. This is comfort food at its finest.