Originally opened in 2009 on the hilly street which looks down over the bridge between Killaloe and Ballina, Laura Kilkenny's lovely café and bakery moved across to the Ballina side of the river in 2019 and now operates from spacious premis ... more...
A gem worth seeking out in this charming little planned town, Niall O'Leary's small and friendly bakery and grocery-deli dates back to the 1930s and is jam-packed with good things.
Home baking is still an important part of the business, with Catherine ... more...
In 2015 the original Gourmet Food Parlour made a big move - from its quirky premises on Cumberland Street in the town centre, to a lovely bright almost-harbourside location on Crofton Road.
Here, although the building is light and modern, the usual GF ... more...
Also known as Flanagans Prime Steakhouse, this large contemporary bar and restaurant is in an enviable location right on the banks of the River Shannon, making it one of the most attractive establishments in the picturesque twin towns of Ballina/Killal ... more...
In a terrific location, just across the road from Dublin Castle, PJ and Dee Butuci’s pleasing Italian restaurant has an unusual USP - about 70% of the seasonal organic produce used comes from their own Co Wicklow farm: “The farmhouse gard ... more...
Yvonne and James Murphy’s slightly scarily named Devour Bakery turns out to be a little honey once you get there, with cheery greetings for the steady stream of customers coming in to buy from their daily baking of breads, scones and pastries, to ... more...
It may look a traditional bar with its many snugs, deep red walls, shelves stacked with books and long wooden bar, but closer inspection reveals a collection of bison-themed items, including a wall-mounted head, alongside genuine saddles fixed atop bar ... more...
McCollams, or Johnny Joes as it is known, is one of the great old pubs of Ireland, famed for its friendliness, authenticity - and traditional music sessions on Friday night all year, plus Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday in summer.
As well as the original ... more...
Having been a destination nursery for decades, the closure of Carewswood some years ago was a big loss to the gardening community - so its re-opening in 2013, by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable young couple dedicated to its revival and development, w ... more...
Close to Limerick City Gallery of Art, Canteen is a tiny, but popular café on a street in the picturesque Georgian part of town with its sights clearly set on sustainability and local produce.
Originally opened as a ‘pop-up’, chef-p ... more...
Spring brings plenty of reasons to get out and about - and there's cause for celebration too, with Mother’s Day, St Patrick's Day and Easter all presenting very good reasons to give in to temptation. And - especially appealing as it's a weather proof option - Afternoon Tea can provide a perfect excuse for a relaxing get together. It's become one of the nation's favourite outings in recent years, with desirable destinations all over the country offering memorable experiences to delight ...
Travelling the roads of Ireland more than most, we know what a difference a good journey break can make - and we have dozens of favourite pit stops dotted around the country. For this collection, we have picked some of the best that open fairly long hours, for those relaxing en-route meals.
It's been a strange year so far, weather-wise, but with no shortage of sunshine and - unusually for Ireland - real heat. Met Eireann may say it's warm, but to most of us it's hot and one of the best ways to deal with it is under a parasol while enjoying a drink or a leisurely meal. Here are a few of the many excellent places where you can do that...
Summer may be a long time coming this year, but when the sun is out and you’re off on a break there’s nothing that says ‘down time’ like alfresco dining. So here are just a (very) few of this year’s favourites to enjoy in lovely places on your summer travels around the country.
Summer in Ireland and seafood is at its best...With dozens of seriously good speciality seafood restaurants around the country, our selection below is just a drop in the ocean. Better get started with this little taster then – always remembering there are plenty more (including many deservedly famous places) to choose from as well...
Georgina Campbell suggests some interesting destinations for an off-season break at this time of plenty. These are just a few of the places where nature's bounty is celebrated in wonderful ways: foraging expeditions, cookery courses and, of course, delicious seasonal meals that make the most of the harvest - often with a special focus on vegetarian cooking
No surprise that Kerry came top of a recent survey polling favourite counties for Irish holidays - sure wasn’t Queen Victoria herself a fan? August is a time for casual dining - out of doors if you're lucky - so this month we’ve picked some great summer pubs to enjoy in the top ten 'staycation' counties
Discerning diners are always interested to know where their food comes from, and what could be more delightful than taking a stroll around the garden where it was growing just hours - or minutes - before it landed on your plate. More and more restaurants are taking ownership of their fresh produce supplies now, and these are just some of the most interesting kitchen gardens.
There’s a growing feeling that Ireland is now ready to focus on the needs of the ‘food tourist’, as opposed to the visitor who simply enjoys good food as part of the overall experience. The true food tourist (international and domestic) will choose their holiday destination specifically to explore it through its food.
Inviting guests to savour a moment of refined indulgence, the Mount Congreve Gardens luxurious Festive Afternoon Tea Experience is offered through November and December this winter...
With a rich historical and maritime legacy, East Cork has a truly unique variety of attractions to offer the visitor.
It is a haven for family holidays with a huge range of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained for hours.
In this extensive county, the towns and villages have their own distinctive character. In West Cork, their spirit is preserved in the vigour of the landscape with the handsome coastline where the light of the famous Fastnet Rock swings across tumbling ocean and spray-tossed headland. The county is a repository of the good things of life, a treasure chest of the finest farm produce, and the very best of seafood, brought to market by skilled specialists.
The town of Killarney is where the Ring of Kerry begins and ends for many, among the lakes and mountains where they are re-establishing the enormous white-tailed sea eagle, has long been a magnet for visitors. Across the purple mountains from Killarney, the lovely little town of Kenmare in South Kerry is both a gourmet focus, and another excellent touring centre. As one of the prettiest places in Ireland, Kenmare puts the emphasis on civic pride.
That Galway Bay coastline in Co. Clare is where The Burren, the fantastical North Clare moonscape of limestone which is home to so much unexpectedly exotic flora, comes plunging spectacularly towards the sea around the attractive village of Ballyvaughan.
Connemara, the Land of the Sea, where earth, rock and ocean intermix in one of Ireland's most extraordinary landscapes, and is now as ever a place of angling renown - you're very quickly into the high ground and moorland which sweep up to the Twelve Bens and other splendid peaks, wonderful mountains which enthusiasts would claim as the most beautiful in all Ireland. Beyond, to the south, the Aran Islands are a place apart.
Rivers often divide one county from another, but Fermanagh is divided - or linked if you prefer - throughout its length by the handsome waters of the River Erne, both river and lake. Southeast of the historic county town of Enniskillen, Upper Lough Erne is a maze of small waterways meandering their way into Fermanagh from the Erne'e source in County Cavan.
Co Cavan shares the 667 m peak of Cuilcagh with neighbouring Fermanagh. No ordinary mountain, this - it has underground streams which eventually become the headwaters of the lordly River Shannon, Ireland's longest river that passes south through many counties before exiting at the mighty estuary in Limerick. A magnet for tourism now with boating, fishing, cycling and walking-a-plenty.
Between the sheltered bays at the foot of the Glens of Antrim, the sea cliffs of the headlands soar with remarkable rock formations which, on the North Coast, provide the setting for the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Giant's Causeway.