Source of eternal seagull envy, cheap and cheerful, historic seaside delight. Here are the best fish and chips shops in Ireland
There are some seaside-Irish-summer tropes worth rejecting. The persistent hawking of gulls, bits of sand stuck in one’s new designer sunglasses, and the spontaneous airborne escape of important pages from your chosen summer read… Annoying. But, there is one emblem of Irish seaside (or lakeside) summer that is a delight to contemplate and a must-have for lunch – a crispy, warm paper cone of freshly caught and battered fish and chips. Here are the best chippers and codslingers in the country…
Fisherman’s Catch at Clogherhead, Co. Louth
I suppose it’s an obvious choice for a family that sells fresh fish to diversify and meet the demand for top quality fish and chips, especially in a location such as this. Fisherman’s Catch is the perfect place for a fish and chips pit stop while spending a day at Clogherhead Beach, Co. Louth. The Kirwan family are fourth generation fishermen so they likely know their stuff and the beach itself is a relatively sheltered sandy stretch, backed by mature sand dunes. Open Thursday – Sunday.
Fish Shop, Benburb Street, Dublin
The fish and chips at Fish Shop is close to as perfect a fish and chips as you might ever taste. Yes, these are a few other (equally delicious) plates on the menu but honestly, it has to be fish and chips, whether haddock, plaice, brill or hake. The fact that they serve a great selection of wines by the glass to accompany your saline supper is a bonus and it’s a stone’s throw from the Liffey, which counts.
Salt & Vinegar, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
The thing about Salt & Vinegar in Rathfarnham is that it sells excellent fish and chips for collection or delivery, but also has other dishes for those (few) who are not fans. There are the usual suspects, plus a pint of prawns, a very good fish finer buttie, salt and pepper squid, scampi and chips, well, you get the drift. And for those who really don’t want fish, the chicken sandwich looks like a very safe bet.
The Fish Box, Dingle
A family owned and run business in the heart of Dingle, The Fish Box also own their own trawler, the Cú Na Mara so you know the fish will be fresh. There are tempura prawns, fish tacos, a fish spice box or Dingle Bay fish and chips made with local Maharees potatoes. Supporting local has never been so easy. The Fish Box is eat in or take away but as with so many on this list, be prepared to wait.
McDonagh’s, Quay Street, Galway
There is an obvious reason why you will likely find queues outside McDonagh’s on Quay Street in Galway, it’s the fish. And the chips. Lauded as the best fish and chips in Ireland, the team at McDonagh’s are obviously doing something right and apart from the requisite cod you will find whiting, mackerel, hake and salmon on the menu along with Kellys Gigas Oysters. All the fish comes from managed sustainable stocks with traceable provenance and the potatoes are hand peeled and chipped every morning.
