Glandore Inn

Looking west towards Union Hall, which is within walking distance across a road bridge, this unspoilt village has a choice of pubs offering traditional music and craic in the evenings - all quite different in character, each is equally charming.

The Glandore Inn is located high up on the main street - and, with a clear view of Glandore Harbour, it’s well placed to fulfil a special role in this delightful place.

It’s a popular holiday destination, especially for Irish sailing enthusiasts, and the yacht club is next to the Glandore Inn - although the unofficial headquarters is the inn itself, especially during the annual regatta (third weekend of August) and other sailing events, which include the Glandore Classic Boat Regatta held every other year, in July.

The Inn has recently been given a makeover, but you’ll still find a fine traditional pub interior that is full of character - and there’s plenty of seating outside, where you can sit and observe the harbour activities in comfort over a drink or a coffee.

It’s a friendly and welcoming place where people come to enjoy a good meal in relaxed and comfortable surroundings - and, since coming under the management of chef David Wine and his wife Julie in 2011, the Inn has taken on a new food focus. It was always known for 'a good steak'  but - while ever-popular steak is still on the evening menu - the range and variety of food offered has changed dramatically.

Both at lunchtime and in the evening, there's a distinctly continental tone to David's quite extensive menus, yet they also celebrate the local - especially seafood, of course.

So, for example, you'll find Union Hall salmon, mussels and prawns from just across the harbour along with other treats in the big Seafood Platter or the Glandore Fish Stew ("a hands on dish, clippers & sticks provided"), and also in individual dishes such as smoked salmon with soda bread, prawn cocktail (made with  a mixture of in-shell and peeled local prawns) and moules frites (mussels & chips).

But there is plenty else to choose from as well as seafood, including vegetarian dishes, a range of pasta dishes (on both menus) and, at lunchtime, various platters, soups, open sandwiches and hot dishes such as cottage pie and sausages & mash.

Baking is a particular strength, with homebaked breads accompanying many dishes - and David's special beer bread has built up quite following.

A talking point that amuses first time visitors to Glandore, incidentally, is the two small islands at the entrance to the harbour, named Adam and Eve - the sailing directions for them are easily remembered: "avoid Adam and hug Eve"!