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The Olde Post Inn

Gearoid and Tara Lynch's restaurant is in an old stone building in a neatly landscaped garden which served as a post office until 1974 and, since then, has made an attractive and popular inn.

Gearoid is a talented chef and, with Tara managing front of house , they make a good team - since their arrival here in 2002 they have earned a reputation beyond the immediate area for fine food and genuine hospitality.

There's a pleasant rural atmosphere about the place, with a bar to enjoy your pre/post-prandial drinks and an old-world style throughout, with dark beams and simple wooden furniture - but, comfortably rustic as it may seem (and all the more welcome as the continuing rush to shiny modernism threatens to sweep away the oddly characterful throughout Ireland), that is far from the case in the kitchen, and elegantly-appointed tables with crisp white linen and gleaming glasses give a hint of the treats to come.

Gearoid's route to Cloverhill has included time in some fine establishments - at least one of which lives on here, in a house speciality: 'Le Coq Hardi' chicken breast (stuffed with potato, apple, bacon & herbs, wrapped in bacon and served with an Irish whiskey sauce).

A committed Euro-Toques chef, Gearoid sources ingredients with great care and shows respect for regional and seasonal foods, and the excellent cooking is made all the more enjoyable by the friendly, helpful local staff.

The Olde Post Inn was our Newcomer of the Year in 2004.

Ample parking. Seats 80 (private room, 25); children welcome (high chair, baby changing facilities) toilets wheelchair accessible. D Tue-Sun, 6.30-9pm (Sun to 8.30), L Sun only, 12.30-2.30. Set D about €53, also á la carte, Gourmet Menu €75. Set Sun L about €28. Closed Mon.

Accommodation:

While not especially luxurious or large, the seven en-suite rooms at the inn are convenient for diners who don't wish to travel far from the dinner table, and most have full baths.

Rooms 7 (2 shower only, 1 family room, all no smoking); children welcome (under 4s free in parents' room, baby sitting can be arranged, cot available free of charge). No pets. B&B €50 pps, ss €10. Closed 24-27 Dec. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

9km (6 m) north of Cavan town: take N54 at Butlersbridge, 2.5km (2 m) on right in Cloverhill village.