The hotel is booked and the bags are packed, it’s time to hit the road for one last-minute escape of the summer. Don’t forget to plan a lunchtime pit stop to refuel, recharge and refresh. Here are a few suggestions to put into Google maps …
Cork or Kerry bound
Bowes & Co, Cashel: For breakfast, lunch or dinner, Bowes & Co in Cashel is a great choice for a stop-off, whatever time of the day. The full Irish would feed two, although you might need to order extra sausages considering they are from local rock star butcher, Una Dwyer, while the cakes are freshly made in-house. It’s a bustling, friendly spot filled with locals and visitors alike. Don’t skip the scones and a walk to The Rock of Cashel for a picture before getting back on the road. www.bowesandco.com
West Cork bound
O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill, Cork: The problem with driving to West Cork is that it can be deceiving. Of course, everyone knows it’s quite the distance, but for some reason, seeing the signs for Cork city ignites a brief spark of hope, before the realisation that you still have two hours to go kicks in. A good idea for a short respite before powering on is stopping for lunch at O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill, run by Máire O’Mahony and her partner Victor Murphy. Just ten minutes from the Dunkettle interchange, the menu is filled with the best fresh, seasonal ingredients from local producers, butchers and fishmongers. Fresh cod with Kilbrack spinach, mussels and beurre blanc is a great reason to break the journey. Depending on what part of Cork you are travelling to, you will have between one and two hours behind the wheel from Watergrasshill. www.omahonysofwatergrasshill.com
Rosslare or Wexford bound
The Grain Store at Killruddery House and Gardens, Bray: There are a few food options at Killruddery: the Pizza Shed, the Garden Coffee Shop and The Grain Store. Open for lunch from Thursday to Sunday, the menu at The Grain Store is designed around seasonal produce, all of which is grown on the estate. Choose from summery plates such as the warm peach and burrata salad with Killruddery courgette, broad beans and croutons, or warming Rings Farm chicken pie with bacon cream, celeriac remoulade and seasonal salad. From Killruddery, it’s a mere 90 minutes to Rosslare Strand where the real fun can begin. www.killruddery.com
Waterford bound
Bowe’s Foodhall and Café, Durrow: Scones, pastries, cakes and coffee all come highly recommended from Bowe’s Foodhall but unlike many similar establishments, Bowe’s goes the extra mile. Operated by Sarah and Shane Bowe, much of the produce on the menu is sourced from the on-site kitchen garden, which, incidentally, also offers some charming outdoor seating should you be topping up on fresh air. Lunch is a casual affair with falafel bowls, katsu chicken Caesar, soups, sandwiches and freshly baked sausage rolls. From Durrow, you are a mere hop, skip and jump from Waterford (well, one hour) and roadside dining has never felt so peaceful. www.bowescafe.ie
Galway bound
Browne’s on the Green, Tyrellspass: My usual stop-off on the way home from Galway used to be the (excellent) Fatted Calf, before it moved location from lovely Glasson to Athlone town, and who is inclined to add navigating Athlone traffic into an already lengthy road trip? While most stop-offs require leaving the main drag, a short detour to Tyrellspass on the way to Galway is no hardship. Open from 9am-8.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-9pm, Friday to Sunday, Browne’s is a great choice for classic home cooking such as soups, sandwiches and salads en route to your destination. On a sunny day, sit outside and soak up the idyllic village ambience. www.brownesonthegreen.ie