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O'Connor's Seafood Restaurant

Peter and Anne O’Brien run this long-established seafood restaurant right on the main square (site of Friday markets and the annual early-May mussel festival) and, although no longer directly in the O’Connor family, there’s actually a very old family connection as Anne’s great-grandmother was the original owner of the bar licence back in 1914 - which makes for pretty good continuity by any standards.

Since Peter and Anne took over the whole place has been completely refurbished - creating the modern, but very comfortable look it has today.

And they were equally careful to retain the things that make this place special - the same staff, the same food and, best of all, the same fair prices. So, you will still find the lobster and oyster fish tank sending all the right messages and Bantry Bay mussels, cooked all ways, remain a speciality - try their Mussels in Murphy’s Stout (steamed in stout and cream), followed perhaps by lobster (when in season), and served with an abundance of fresh vegetables.

There’s a fair choice of non-fish dishes available too, all using local produce - roast rack of local lamb is another speciality (served with black pudding mash and a port & thyme jus), also roast Skeaghanore duck breast with rosemary flavoured butter beans - an unusual dish, it is served on a duck liver terrine.

At lunchtime there’s a more casual menu offered, including hot or open sandwiches (fresh local crab and mayo, smoked salmon & Durrus cheese) as well as a mini-menu of Bantry Bay mussel dishes and hearty fare such as O’Connor’s Seafood Pie or sirloin steak.

An interesting and informative wine list is organised by style.

Seats 48 (private room, 12); children welcome before 8 pm (high chair); air conditioning. L 12.15-3, D 6-10 (Sun to 9). Early D €29 (6-7pm); set D 2/3 course €27/29.50; also á la carte; house wine €20. SC discretionary. Closed L Bank hols, Good Fri, 25 Dec, Sun Oct-May, but telephone to confirm opening times off-season. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Town centre; prominent location on square.