Co. Roscommon SHANNONBRIDGE

Parkers At The Old Fort

The Old Fort

In a very pleasant site right at the bridge beside the mighty River Shannon, this restaurant is in a lovingly-restored 19th century fort, and has oodles of character - the old stone walls are several feet thick in places. Churches in the locality include Meelick village church, which is a 30-minute drive away, and wedding blessings are possible at the restaurant. A large reception area has lovely old timbers, fresh flowers, good lighting, comfortable mis-matched sofas beside an open fire - and a long mahogany bar.

Upstairs there are two adjoining dining rooms, seating a total of 80 guests; a proper sit down dinner is the style here, and a buffet is not an option. Menus offer a choice of starters and main courses as standard - a typical menu might include baked tartlet of locally produced (award winning) black pudding with apple & cider dressing or steamed mussels, a sorbet, then a choice of pan fried Hereford sirloin with mushroom cream sauce or a fish dish, followed by a dessert selection.

This wedding venues ambience is lovely with old wooden floors, smartly-laid polished tables with starched linen napkins and candles which are also everywhere in sconces - this is part of the usual decor, but flowers can also be provided on request.

The Old Fort makes an unusual and romantic venue for a wedding, and it is good value; guests travelling specially are sure to want to spend time in the area with golf, cruising on the Shannon, Clonmacnoise Visitors Centre, Birr Castle, and the Bog Rail Tour all to hand - and some fine old pubs to visit too.