In an almost rural location at edge of the city, the Dolan family's restaurant has had a devoted clientèle since it opened in 1980.
For four decades they came for the famously old-fashioned atmosphere, French/Irish cooking and exceptionally professional service. Then, with the arrival of a new generation, came a complete reinvention - and, following a closure for major renovations (slowed down by the pandemic), The Barn Gastropub was born.
With a bright new extension in addition to the original premises, it is now much bigger and opens from breakfast to dinner every day of the week - but the Dolans have not forgotten the fundamentals of quality, good service and very fair pricing and it was an instant hit.
Cars roll in every morning at 8.30am for the highly popular breakfast and brunch menus and the stream of customers continues all day long, thanks to enticing lunch/carvery and evening offerings, and a full bar licence. Very much at the heart of the community, The Barn was always the place for large parties and it continues to cater for all ages and all types of gatherings from christernings to birthday parties or funerals. And despite the fact that this high tech new restaurant (the friendly staff are miked up to handle the large numbers efficiently) is no longer taking cash, the extended carpark is often close to full on any typical day.
Breakfast and Brunch menus are boith available from 8.30am, with tasty renditions of traditional options like granola or porridge, lots of egg dishes and 'The Full Barn' served until 11.30am and Brunch available right through to 4pm - and, with offerings along classic lines including Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale along with pancakes and waffles (and hot chocolate among the beverages), it goes down a treat.
The Carvery, which runs from noon until 7pm is a speciality and it is definitely a cut above the usual, with a particular focus on quality meats (suppliers include McCarthy's of Kanturk - famed for breakfast meats - and Twomey Butchers of Macroom) as well as a wide variety of vegetables and sauces - all constantly replenished to be fresh and succulent, and served in generous quantities.
But it's not all about the carvery fan and there's an extensive range of other options to choose from (Salads, Burgers, Fish and Chips, Sandwiches, Pizza, Pasta dishes...) and over a dozen well made desserts.
Some of these deservedly popular dishes are also available later on the evening menu (from 5.30pm), where the stars are the steaks, duckling and fish dishes.
When it comes to drinks, the fully stocked bar is a central feature - and, while the wine list may be modest, the popular red and white grapes are covered (and modestly priced) and there are plenty of beers, including a couple of craft beers from the local Cotton Ball Brewery. All the major draught beers are there too, along with a huge range of spirits (including local Irish whiskey from Midleton, Blackwater gins from Waterford). And ,of course, no Gastropub would be complete without a smart line-up of cocktails...
And to top it all, on some nights there will be music too, bringing the long day at the buzzing Barn to a happy finale. Quite a change from The Barn in its early decades, as a fine dining destination, but it has been done with style and this well-run gastropub looks set for lasting success.
An attractive entrance conservatory leads to a comfortable lounge/reception area, where the welcome is warm and you can choose from menus which offer a great choice of quite traditional dishes - starters like Clonakilty black pudding and Cashel Blue cheese, for example, and their very own excellent home-smoked salmon.
There’s a good choice of seafood and, along with ever-popular steaks, lamb (rack or shank) and pork (stuffed pork fillet, perhaps), poultry features strongly - notably crispy roast duckling, which is an enduring favourite and updated a little from time to time; currently it may come with plum jam, beetroot confit, glazed sweet potato and port reduction, which is quite a combination. Vegetarians are well looked after too.
The restaurant is large and divided into several dining areas, each with well-spaced tables classically set up with fresh flowers - and in chilly weather you may be lucky enough to get a fireside table.
Everything is cooked to order, with the emphasis on flavour and wholesomeness. The saucing and presentation are consistently good, accompaniments are carefully selected and service is professional and attentive; all round a reassuringly old-style approach, and there’s a pianist on some nights too.
The Barn is one of the few places in the area where they wheel out the dessert trolley - hard to resist! This is a style that’s coming back into favour and no wonder - indulgent desserts make the perfect treat.
The choice of menus offered includes Afternoon Tea, as well as an Early Bird and A La Carte dinner; Sunday lunch is very popular and menus are similar to the evening meals in style.
The Barn, over 30 years on the go, is one of those long established restaurants that we tend to take for granted. The standard is as high as ever and it isn’t a stick in the mud restaurant. The cooking may not be cutting edge but is has moved with the times - and it always seems to be busy. Long may it last.
