Part of the handsome Clonakilty Distillery complex and overlooking the Whale's Tail artwork on the waterfront, Kirby’s @ The Whale’s Tail is in an airy open plan dining room with the added theatre of an open kitchen - the perfect buzzy kind of neighbourhood bistro that must be the envy of every small town in Ireland.
Billy Kirby, owner (also of Kirby’s Korner in Ballinhassig), runs The Whale’s Tail with his wife and business partner Diana who runs an efficient and friendly front of house team. The kitchen is headed up by experienced chef, Adam Medcalf (formerly of Inchydoney Island Resort), and specialises in delivering exactly what local diners want – good food and plenty of it at a reasonable price.This magic combination all served up in a contemporary glass box of a restaurant beside a distillery in a traditional yet foodie town, has created a buzzy vibe ensuring the restaurant is full to the brim every night of the week.
This is proving a great addition to the dining out scene in Clonakilty – an award-winning town famous for its food producers and music pubs, but perhaps short on evening dining destinations to suit both the out-of-town high season crowd and the year-round local diners. But in recent years, the addition of Adam Medcalf to the team as head chef at The Whale's Tail has ensured there is a consistent commitment to as much locally sourced meat and fish as possible. Fish was always a strong point for Adam back in his Inchydoney days and was always an impeccable sauce maker - a skill that enables Adam to elevate dishes to a level not expected from a fast paced, quick turnaround neighbourhood spot.
Aside from the main à la carte menu, there is always a specials menu and main course prices on both start at around €25, rising to €30+ for steak or a particularly fine fish. While this might feel on the higher end for this type of bistro, portions are more than generous (hence the loyal clientèle) and the price paid is fair.
The bar offers wines from Curious Wines in Cork and, given its proximity to the distillery next door (the restaurant was operated by the distillery owners until the Kirby’s took over in 2021)), there is good use of Clonakilty Distillery whiskey, gin and vodka for pours of spirits, shakes of cocktails, and even occasionally in sauces, such as whiskey-punched sauce for steak, etc.
Tables turn quickly but service is affable as well as swift and it's easy to see why this friendly, buzzy place is so popular - and, of course, a tour of the adjacent Clonakilty Distillery is also recommended.
