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The Olde Glen Bar

Just the sort of old pub advertising people dream about, the McLaughlin family's bar looks as it must have a hundred, maybe two hundred years ago. Low ceilings, ancient weathered bar and furniture, fires in winter, a big old room and then another behind.

Then it got so popular they built on a further room, which is very light and bright, with paintings on the walls and this is also for drinking and sitting while you wait for a table to become available in The Restaurant: A dynamic young couple, Thomas & Maretta McLaughlin, run it; although working like mad all the time, Thomas has a word for everyone and is funny and relaxed and Maretta's the bubbly, glamorous and friendly wife who is front of house.

Between them they've made such a roaring success of the place that they have to have two sittings every evening, and then go on beyond the summer proper into the end of October, as there are lots of golfers in the Rosapenna area until then. After that they do meals at weekends, maybe taking a break mid-winter.

Why is it so popular? Because it provides just what you want: delicious, fresh, imaginative dishes served in an easy atmosphere, in a very basic but well thought out setting.

And what might you eat? Tempura prawns, perhaps, served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce, and lovely halibut with dauphinoise potatoes, plaice with crab sauce and also local Hereford beefsteaks; good vegetables, local, meat and all fish brought in nearby.

All this and a good wine list, great service and good value too. No wonder it's popular.

Children welcome before 9pm; toilets wheelchair accessible; Seats 50; D Tue-Sun, 6-9pm; house wine €16.50; SC discretionary. Closed Mon (May-Sept) and occasional weekends. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

5 minutes from Carrigart village