Half an hour or so west of Galway city and handily located next door to TG4’s headquarters, Cork chef Diarmuid O'Mathúna's vibrant bi-lingual café is billed as 'the last stop before the Aran Islands' - and, scenically set in the thatched two storey building that was once known as Tigh Jonny Sheain pub, it's easy to spot.
The upper storey is home to Fibín, an Irish language TV and theatre production company who undertook a contemporary refurb of the ground floor for Diarmuid, with an open kitchen at one end of the dining space and a small gallery. There is also a spacious outdoor dining area, which was a boon when it opened in 2021 and Covid restrictions prevented indoor dining and will always be popular in fine weather - especially for those in the know, who have allowed some time to enjoy the lovely beach out at the back.
A Ballymaloe-trained chef, Diarmuid brings the holistic Ballymaloe ethos (local, seasonal, organic, sustainable) to POTA, which is Irish for pot and embodies his feeling for communal food - so you can always expect some tasty slow cooked hotpots on the menu. A fluent Irish speaker, as is his wife and all of the staff, Diarmuid is passionate about making his business part of Connemara Gaeltact, and they are serious about making it a bilingual café - a place where the Irish language can flourish - and sourcing from local suppliers, with a printed map showing their locations around the county. And, as he says himself, "With fresh salads growing in An Garraí Glas across the road, the best of butchery from McGeoughs of Oughterard (Connemara Fine Foods) and world class goat's cheese, seafood and fudge fresh from the Aran Islands, the menu almost writes itself."
Breakfast and lunch offerings are in Irish on blackboards (with willing staff on hand to assist if needed) as well as aprinted menu and there's a lovely inclusive ambience, with families and pets made welcome and smaller portions of menu items available for children instead of a separate junior menu. A seriously tasty toasted sandwich of roast free-range chicken and Kylemore farmhouse cheese with rocket and house chutney may come in a compostable box with tiny fresh green salad leaves, while Connemara ale barbequed lamb taco with coriander, red onion, lime and slaw is composed of 3 tacos with beautiful finely sliced salads. Afterwards, try a delicious, individual lemon meringue pie, or perhaps a slice of carrot cake with cream... Portions may not all be huge - geared more towards the demands of neighbouring TG4 staff perhaps, than the hearty appetites of active holidaymakers - but the quality is outstanding.
While short, an interesting drinks list includes wines from Le Caveau (Kilkenny), local craft beer and excellent coffee from local roasters Calendar, in Bearna, along with a tempting all-Irish collection of soft drinks too.
They also have an attractive retail section, displaying Irish speciality foods from the local area and beyond, along with a selection of Irish interest cookery books and unusual gift items.
All round, this vibrant bi-lingual café is proving a great addition to Connemara's excellent eating places and one to try on your next Aran adventure. POTA is a one-off and looks set to be a longterm Connemara success story.
