Ballycotton's Blackbird pub dates back to the 1830s and today, in the ownership of the Tattan family, it's a place of three parts, equally well-loved for the traditional front bar with its friendly staff and great range of drinks, the live music - and the good food served.
East Cork's go-to live music venue for decades, the Blackbird is famous for the sessions and big-name gigs hosted in the Back Room at weekends (usually free entry unless it's a fund raiser), and - best of all perhaps - the spontaneous sessions that can happen when musicians just walk in and get going. And even if you just drop in to the atmpsheric old bar for a drink, you're sure to be impressed by the range of craft beers offered and the Blackbird's great collection of whiskeys and gins.
But many regulars come for the food served in the family-friendly beer garden at the back of the pub, where Ballymaloe-trained Adrian Gallen and his wife Lisa do a roaring trade from their independently operated food truck,The Field Kitchen. It must have been fun to see the kitchen being craned into place (there's a photo on their website) and it was an inspired move.
It's a rustic set up, with sturdy picnic tables dotted around and a short menu serving simple homemade fare based squarely on local ingredients - notably the super-fresh fish from the harbour that turns favourites like fish & chips, monkfish 'scampi', and breaded garlic mussels into a feast. There are a couple of spicier items, too, such as duck spring rolls and curry, also burgers (beef or chicken), and daily specials - all with local provenance and cooking from scratch among the USPs that make The Field Kitchen a knock-out.
Children are very welcome (there's a children's menu and delicious Baldwins Farmhouse Ice Cream, from neighbouring County Waterford) and takeaways are available too.
Whether to book a table for a relaxed meal or just pop in after a blast of fresh air on the popular cliff walk nearby, the Blackbird is great find for any visitor to Ballycotton.
