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Cronins Sheebeen

Just outside Westport, heading out west from the harbour, this delightful old world thatched pub and restaurant overlooking Clew Bay enjoys an almost-waterside location just across from the foreshore on the Louisburgh road. The Cronin family, former owners of the well known bar and restaurant The Towers nearby on the harbour, purchased the property in 2006 and have since transformed it into one of Westport's busiest and most hospitable establishments, where a warm welcome is invariably extended to all by the friendly local staff.

It's a relaxed and characterful place, with a number of rooms and hideaway corners in the downstairs bar and a first floor restaurant with sloping ceiling, whitewashed walls, timber floors and oilcloth-covered tables giving a traditional and homely feel.

The restaurant opens at weekends and other busy times and, whether eating here or in the bar, an all day á la carte menu offers an extensive range of dishes, with lunch specials from 12.30pm and the evening specials from 5.30pm, when the emphasis is on seafood.

Typically you may expect to find starters like fresh crab timbale and a very good chowder, while main courses include good fish dishes (pan fried fillet of hake was the star of the show on a recent visit), but also a balanced mix of meat and poultry - which may include an outstanding wild venison pie, in season.

Finish with homemade desserts (vanilla pannacotta with baked plums, perhaps) or a cheeseboard with local Carrowholly cheeses, which are made just along the road, and homemade chutney.

Wines from a small list are served by the bottle and quarter bottle.

Overall The Sheebeen makes for a most enjoyable experience, with beautiful sea and mountain views and with the added interest of the red and green navigation lights of Clew Bay flashing in the distance as night draws in.

Restaurant seats about 45; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu); food served daily 12-9.30 high season (4-9.30 Nov-Mar); function room (50) at the rear of the building; a la carte; starters €5-10, approx, mains about €12.50 - €32; house wine €16. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Far side of Westport harbour