John and Martina Sheedy run one of the west of Ireland's best-loved small hotels - it offers some of the best food in the area and quite luxurious accommodation, and yet it still has the warm ambience and friendly hands-on management which make a hotel ... more...
This opulent 19th-century hotel on St Stephen’s Green (Europe’s largest garden square) dates back to 1824 - and, in new ownership since 2015, a major facelift was completed just in time to cerlebrate its 195th anniversary in 2019. The chang ... more...
This informal restaurant and fish shop is owned by respected chef Andy Rae and business partner Bob McCoubrey, of the original Mourne Seafood Bar in Dundrum, Co Down (see entry), who have their own shellfish beds on Carlingford Lough, and it has become ... more...
The delightful waterside village of Courtmacsherry has had its ups and downs in recent times, but it's now in the ascendancy once more with the success of its wonderful community shop and a number of other new-ish businesses, including the atmospheric ... more...
It can be rewarding to explore beyond the shoreside properties that tend to claim the attention in seaside towns, and Strandhill is a good example as the inquisitive visitor will find a lovely pub up on the top road overlooking the bay.
Conveniently ... more...
One of Dublin's oldest and best-loved pubs, Mulligan's 'wine & spirit merchant' is mercifully un-renovated and likely to stay that way - dark, with no decor (as such) and no music, it's just the way so many pubs used to be.
The only difference is ... more...
With its smart blue and white frontage and welcoming signage, it would be hard to drive past Barry and Catherine McLaughlin’s attractive roadside bar and restaurant just outside Bandon.
What they took on way back in 2006 was a typical pub, but - ... more...
Established in 1885, this centrally located pub on the corner of Pearse Street and Shaw Street is easily recognised by the well-maintained floral baskets that brighten up the street outside.
Inside, this cosy bar has kept its Victorian character and c ... more...
Originally a tiny corner café and wine bar off Shop Street in Galway city centre, Il Vicolo was born out of Gerry McMahon's devotion to Italian food and wine. Despite the small space, plain bare wooden furniture and a miniscule kitchen in full ... more...
In the fourth generation of family ownership, Padraig O’Sullivan’s attractive establishment near the Gap of Dunloe is always a pleasure to visit.
The old tree at the front was left safely in place during renovations which, together with ot ... more...