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Spillanes

It’s a long way down from the main road to reach the Maharees, but many would make the journey just for a visit to Marilyn and Michael Spillane’s great traditional pub – it’s been in the family since 1875 and they work hard at both the food and hospitality, earning a loyal following as a result.

After many years of informal self-service, the Spillanes recently decided to upgrade their system and offer full table service instead, and to accept reservations – so get there early if you plan to drop in without a booking.

This is a very popular place and the wide-ranging menu is designed to suit all tastes and age groups, offering a selection of starters/light dishes, pizzas and burgers, and vegetarian dishes– but its strengths lie in great steaks and seafood, as always.

In addition to the main menu, a daily specials list usually offers at least two fish dishes and a meat dish each evening. You’ll find Cromane mussels, crab claws and Dingle prawns (in prawn cocktail or scampi, for example), maybe even crayfish, along with smoked haddock fishcakes and, perhaps, grilled hake fillet or whole baked seabass.

The pub is full of character and it can get very busy, but the full dinner menu is available from 4pm which is ideal for families.

*Self-catering accommodation also offered, in two new 2-bedroom apartments opposite the pub (beside beach); each sleeps 5.

Seats 90; toilets wheelchair accessible; children welcome (high chair, children's menu, baby changing facilities). Meals daily in high season, 1-9.30 (Sun to 9); L 1-3pm & D 4-9pm; low season from 6pm. Closed Nov-Mar. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Dingle Peninsula,3.5 miles north of Castlegregory, between Bandon and Tralee bays.