2015 Award Winners PUB OF THE YEAR 2015

The Long Dock, Carrigaholt, Co Clare

Irish pubs may be going through a challenging time, but visitor surveys repeatedly reveal that the pub experience is one of the highlights of a visit to this country for visitors from abroad, who love the unique atmosphere and the craic. And, when good food is also in the equation, you can be sure that the locals will also beat a path to the door. And as long as there are family run pubs as good as this one, the future of the Irish pub is assured.

Way out in west Clare, halfway along the Loop Head pensinsula and overlooking the Mouth of the Shannon, is the picturesque little fishing village of Carrigaholt. It’s a charming spot, untouched by the over development of recent times. Here you will find Tony and Imelda Lynch’s classic 19th century pub, a place with a well-earned reputation for its welcoming atmosphere and good food, especially local seafood, and one of our favourite pubs.

The pub itself has changed very little over the last 50 years and, with plenty of memorabilia to interest visitors, there’s a real sense of sharing with the community here, even on a short visit. The food has changed a great deal in recent years however, with a varied and carefully planned menu offered, as well as a daily fish specials board.

Almost everything is either produced or sourced locally (suppliers listed) and the food is terrific. Fans travel here especially for the Famous Seafood Chowder and Imelda’s brown bread - which you can buy, along with other good home baking, if you visit on a Friday - and some dishes have also been launched successfully as retail products.

There’s a brilliant choice of seafood - Carrigaholt crab tart with organic leaves is a favourite, for example, and another (for the very hungry) is the Atlantic Mixed Seafood Platter. And non fish-eaters won’t feel badly done by either, with ‘Just Like Mammy Used to Make’ dishes on offer, including lovely traditional Irish bacon & cabbage with parsley sauce.

Friendly, efficient staff make everyone feel at home and it’s just a great place to be. They say on the menu 'By the time you have finished your meal we hope you are planning your next visit’, and that’s far from fanciful – you may well be doing just that. Just remember to check out the shop area beside the pub before leaving, so you can take home a Taste of Carrigaholt.